LaToya Childs, M.Ed., MSML, BSIT, CI, CoreCHI, Moderator

Ms. LaToya Childs is a native of Atlanta, GA. She has spent 21 years in the interpreting profession. Her passion includes mentoring novice and aspiring interpreters and instructing interpreters in the post-secondary setting. Her educational background includes a B.A in Sign Language Interpreting, M.S in Management and Leadership/ Instructional Design. She is currently working on her Ed.D with a focus on Higher Education Administration and Leadership. She is also currently President of the National Alliance of Black Interpreters-Atlanta. LaToya has been involved with the Diversity Academy for Interpreters for the past three years providing workshops on the topics of mentoring and is currently the board secretary of the BEACON Interpreting Mentoring Program, Inc. (BIMP!) focusing on hearing BIPOC mentor interpreters’ needs.

Anita Baker, BA, CI/CT

Anita is a native of Charlotte, NC. She has been practicing interpreting for 27 years. Her educational background includes an AA in Interpreter Preparation from Central Piedmont Community College and a B.A. from the University Northern of Colorado, DO IT Center; with a focus in the Educational setting. She has served on several boards and committees to support the field of interpreting locally in NC. She currently works for Sorenson as Director of Interpreting Services covering western NC and all of SC. Anita loves working with interpreters in general but also recognizes the need to mentor and support BIPOC interpreters and BIPOC interpreting students to enhance diversity in the field of interpreting. Anita also enjoys theatrical interpreting work and spending quality time with her family.

Colleen Bajalis

Colleen was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She became born again through Jesus Christ in 1976. A year later, Colleen obeyed the calling of Jesus Christ, telling her to learn ASL to interpret in church so Deaf people could get the Gospel in their language. She began learning ASL and graduated from Harper College. She later earned her CI/CT, and NIC certifications through the RID. In 2022, Colleen moved to South Carolina, and started working for various interpreting agencies.  She has extensive experience in Christian Church (Religious) interpreting, Educational, Theatrical, and Deaf/blind interpreting, as she has been afforded many wonderful opportunities and experiences afforded to freelance interpreters.