Kenya Lowe from the Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights Visits Silent Weekend
Silent Weekend 2025, “Hands Speak, Minds Connect,” saw many familiar faces make their way to YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin in Middleville, Mich., in mid-February.
But one return visitor came in a new capacity in 2025, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services was thrilled to welcome her back.
Kenya Lowe is now the Director of the Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, named to that position in early January 2025. Her presence at Silent Weekend just six weeks later marked one of her first official public appearances.
It was a joy, she said, to reconnect with D&HHS and the people it serves.
“I attended a few (Silent Weekends) when I was Miss Deaf Michigan and when I was a marketing manager for AT&T back in the day,” she recalled with a smile. “It was good to be back. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. The interpreters asked really great questions and shared valuable information about their training experiences and concerns for the future.”
She also had good things to say about D&HHS.
“I’ve always been somewhat familiar with D&HHS as a Deaf community member,” she said. “I certainly see their organization come up in newsletters and talks within the community. D&HHS, and all organizations that serve the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing in Michigan, are extremely important to the Division because these organizations are on the front line, serving their communities.”
She added that she is eager to work with D&HHS on the many issues of importance to the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, including:
-working with policymakers to ensure laws and regulations are inclusive and accessible
-advocating for increased funding and resources for accessibility services.
-advocating for the expansion of ASL interpreter services in healthcare, education and government agencies
-promoting Communication Access Realtime Translation and assistive technology in public spaces
-ensuring emergency alerts and public service announcements are fully accessible
D&HHS Executive Director Deb Atwood said it was great to welcome Lowe back to a Silent Weekend in her new capacity for the state.
“We advocate for the people we serve,” she said simply. “So to have an amazing representative of the Deaf community in Kenya with us for a time of conversation and networking was an awesome opportunity. People were really happy she took the time to be with us, and we can’t wait to work with her this year and beyond.”
Lowe’s presence at Silent Weekend was just one highlight of a jam-packed three days, filled with CEUs, networking, workshops, mentoring, mingling, entertainment and more for the 82 people who were registered.
Among the many activities that got people laughing and learning were “Sign Olympics,” “Deaf Slang (Everything you wanted to ask a Deaf professional but never had the nerve to ask), “Does Your Ethical Compass Point Due North,” “Deaf Community Panel” and more.