Introducing the DAL Cohort 2026-27
We have something exciting to share with you all! From all all over the United States, six people were selected as the inaugural Deaf Arts Leadership cohort from March 2026 to November 2027. Please see the cohort roster, their endeavors and bios below. Please follow their social media and support their future endeavors.
Deaf Arts Leadership (DAL) is a new pilot program by Urban Jazz Dance Company and Deaf Spotlight. DAL aims to increase the pool of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and Hard of Hearing leaders in the arts and culture sector across the United States. Many thanks to the Borealis Philanthropy Disability Inclusion Fund for supporting this project.
ID: Image of Kevin Abrams on left, an African American Non-Binary artist with a blonde bob and a hat, donning a pair of stylish eyeglasses in a dark top. On right, Iman, a glammed up drag queen with curly blonde hair and a black beret. Text at top: “Kevin Abrams, elevating Deaf Queer Drag Artists everywhere". At the bottom is a cloud with “Deaf Arts Leadership” inside it surrounded by paper airplanes.
KEVIN ABRAMS / Elevating the Deaf Queer Drag Artists everywhere
Kevin Abrams hails from San Antonio, Texas, but raised by the world, this Drag Superstar (aka Iman) is ready to hit the stage with a Deafening Strut that will inspire, and leave you wanting to connect with your inner Diva. This performer is no stranger to the performing arts stage and has been seen at many venues across the Bay Area including Oasis All Black Cast Show, Reparations, or headlining at Fresh Meat Festival. This Is Iman! The Bay Area's Premier Deaf Drag Superstar! Iman is known as a prolific performer who incorporates ASL, Drag storytelling, and choreography to curate an experience for both their Deaf and Hearing audience.
ID: Image of Joey Antonio, Filipinx person with pale brown skin and long, dark, curly hair. They wear large purple glasses, a black turtleneck, and a dark blue button-up jacket, with text: “Joey Antonio, creating music and sign language performance that centers Deaf artistry". At the bottom is a cloud with “Deaf Arts Leadership” inside it surrounded by paper airplanes.
JOEY ANTONIO / Creating music and sign language performance that centers Deaf artistry
Joey Antonio transforms music into a visual spectacle through ASL, leading performances where Deaf artistry drives rhythm, emotion, and storytelling. A trailblazer in live music and digital ASL videos, he sets cultural standards, challenges expectations, and invites audiences to experience music in a bold, fully-felt, and unforgettable way.
ID: Image of Joshua Castille, a cis white man with curly brown hair with a mustache and under chin hair, with text: “Joshua Castille, supporting and cultivating the Chicago Deaf Arts scene". At the bottom is a cloud with “Deaf Arts Leadership” inside it surrounded by paper airplanes.
JOSHUA CASTILLE / Supporting and cultivating the Chicago Deaf Arts Scene
Joshua Castille is a Deaf actor, director, and interpreter working across Broadway and regional theatre. His work explores embodied storytelling, theatrical translation, and Deaf-centered performance practices. Through collaboration with artists and interpreters nationwide, he strives to elevate Deaf voices and create accessible theatre that invites deeper connection between language, movement, and story.
ID: Image of Jennifer Harbaugh, a white woman smiling with short hair, wearing dark sweater, with text: “Jennifer Harbaugh, building an art event that highlights the diverse creative talent of the Deaf community in Indiana". At the bottom is a cloud with “Deaf Arts Leadership” inside it surrounded by paper airplanes.
JENNIFER HARBAUGH / Building an art event that highlights the diverse creative talent of the Deaf community in Indiana
Jen Harbaugh directs the theatre program at the Indiana School for the Deaf, a role she has held for five years. Outside the classroom, she is a stained‑glass artist. Jen shares her home with two beloved senior cats, Tux and Sophie.
ID: Image of Naima Johnson, a light-skinned Black/ Multiracial Deaf woman with curly hair wearing a tan dress, standing in a garden. She has freckles across her face and a visible birthmark on her left cheek that resembles brown glitter, with text: “Naima Johnson, expanding ASL-first spaces that use art and storytelling to explore mental wellness". At the bottom is a cloud with “Deaf Arts Leadership” inside it surrounded by paper airplanes.
NAIMA JOHNSON / Expanding ASL-first spaces that use art and storytelling to explore mental wellness
Naima Johnson is a Black/Multiracial Deaf pre-licensed therapist, and community organizer who is the CEO and founder of Deaf Mental Health Hub. Her work centers ASL-first spaces that combine storytelling, art, and collective reflection to support Deaf mental wellness and community care.
ID: Image of Daniel Katz-Hernandez, an olive-skinned Mexican-Japanese-Jewish man, with a hint of silver in a black beard and buzz-cut hair, wearing a green button-down shirt and a yellow shirt underneath, with text: “Daniel Katz-Hernandez, developing new Deaf arts residency opportunities". At the bottom is a cloud with “Deaf Arts Leadership” inside it surrounded by paper airplanes.
DANIEL KATZ-HERNANDEZ / Building new Deaf arts residency opportunities
Daniel Katz-Hernandez is a Maryland-based Deaf multiracial artist working in interdisciplinary installation. His practice combines drawing, painting, sculpture, electronics, animation, and projection to explore how language, especially American Sign Language, shifts across bodies and media. He earned an MFA from MICA in 2025 and coordinates the Deaf Artists Residency Program.