I am a full-time staff member at Gallaudet Interpreting Service (GIS) currently serving as a transitional supervisor. Prior to this role I have served as a staff interpreter at GIS for over 15 years and as a freelance interpreter since 1990. I hold the Certificate of Interpretation; the Certificate of Transliteration and the NIC: Advanced Certification. I have an associate’s degree in interpreting from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology, a bachelor’s degree in writing and sociology from Goddard College and a master’s degree from Gallaudet in Counseling. I specialize in ASL to English interpreting. Recently, I was featured in "Signing Black in America," a documentary film on Black ASL.I provide formal and informal mentorship for interpreters of color. I am active in numerous organizations in the Deaf community and I am passionate about exponentially growing the number of interpreters of color. I was instrumental in establishing the Dr. Shirley Childress Johnson endowed scholarship fund for student interpreters of color at Gallaudet.
Potomac Chapter Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PCRID) 2016-17
“The Four Agreements: Practical Principles for Enhancing Professional Practice” 2017
“B.R.A.V.I.N.G. - A Framework for Excellence in Interpreting” 2017
"Being an Ally. Am I Friend or Foe?" RID, Region II - 2016
Guest lecturer, University of North Carolina at Greensboro - 2017 ~ Professions in Deafness Program Advocacy class
Adjunct Professor, Gallaudet University - 2009
GSR 230 - What Do We Know About Sex and Gender? Biological and Psychological Perspectives
INT 346 - Field Experience I: Discourse And Application
INT 736 - Professional Practice
Guest Lecturer, Gallaudet University - 2008
Narrative Therapy, COU732 Theories & Approaches in Counseling and Psychotherapy, Department of Counseling
Solution Focused Therapy, COU732 Theories & Approaches in Counseling and Psychotherapy, Department of Counseling
Reality Therapy, COU732 Theories & Approaches in Counseling and Psychotherapy, Department of Counseling
Informational Interviews, GSR 101/102 Honors First Year Seminar/Critical Reading and Writing, General Studies Division
Faculty, Energize Your Interpreting, Training Program, CJAGA Sign Language Interpreting Service - 2006
American Sign Language to English Interpretation I, II, III: A Theoretical & Practical Approach
Essential Habits of Highly Effective Interpreters: Coach Yourself to Success
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
Conference of Interpreter Trainers
DC Area Black Deaf Advocates
Linguistic Society of America
National Alliance of Black Interpreters - DC Chapter
Chapter Liaison, 2018
National Association for Multicultural Education
National Association of the Deaf
National Black Deaf Advocates, DC Area Chapter
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 1988 - present
Society for American Sign Language
2018
Conversations for Understanding Workshops - December, 2018
A Call To Community: Together We All Succeed - Multicultural Organizational Development and Curriculum Transformation Tools for Bringing Us Closer Together - April, 2018
Advanced Multicultural Organizational Development Institute - March, 2018
2017
StartingBloc DC Fellow - November, 2017
Multicultural Curriculum Transformation Institute - July, 2017
Certified Administrator, Intercultural Development Inventory - February, 2017
2016
The Institute for Cross Cultural Communication ~ Founder and CEO - July, 2016
Staff-focused Multicultural Competency Building and Curriculum Transformation Institute - July, 2016
Publications
Barnes, C. (2014). Sacred Musings: Volume 1: Essential questions for connecting body, mind & spirit so you can live an extraordinary life. Washington, DC: Masterful Communication Press.
Barnes, C. I. (2014). You can do it!. In T. Brinkley Potts (Ed.), Kaching!: How to add a digit to your income (Chapter 2). Dover, DE: TBPLLC.
Barnes, C. I. (2013). I forgive my father. In I. Vanzant (Ed.), Forgiveness: How to forgive everyone for everything (pp. 111-124). Carlsbad, CA: Smiley Books.
Barnes, C. I. (1990). Invisible or Simply Ignored. Empty Closet.
Editor, The Weekly Word. Howard University School of Divinity, 1993