Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexa Christian.
Hi Alexa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
For the majority of my life, my mother has served in some type of teaching position, as a result, language (more importantly) reading has always been a part of my life. I fondly remember my mother teaching me American Sign Language (ASL) when I was in kindergarten and helping me keep track of my summer reading logs at our local library.
Because of my love for reading AR (Accelerated Reading) points turned into a chain full of AR dog tags and created the accomplishment of “Best Reader in Memphis”. My 5th grade teacher – Mrs. Cornelison – hosted an Iditarod-inspired reading race. At one point when reading about other cultures my mother would take me to restaurants that coordinated with the culture I had read about. It broadened my desire to read about other countries around the world. This combination of reading and writing at home and school prepared me to have the best academic life possible. I was able to excel in my reading scores.
In March of 2020, I learned that students were testing between 18-45% at or above proficiency. This means children who were already struggling with language, comprehension, and reading scores were being affected by COVID-19 and not being able to be present in the classroom further negatively impacted students. It shocked and saddened me that children were not able to immerse themselves in the worlds I adored. I decided to write a book advocating for poetry – the book includes pages for readers to write their poems and suggests reads. The same month as my first publication, “From A Black Girl To All Black Girls Poems and Monologues Vol. 1” I created “From A Black Girl Literacy”, encouraging poetry and sign language to be taught in schools (especially grades k-3). That summer I hosted ASL Zoom calls for children ages 2-10.
Poetry and sign language (primarily taught to children ages 2-10, but encouraged 5-18) improves reading comprehension, language, and even communication skills. In 2022, I partnered with my local community by tutoring middle school students who couldn’t read, teaching ASL, giving them books to add to their libraries, and helping them with homework packets. I met with these students every week at the Memphis Public Library to show them all the library resources available to them. This past summer, I was the first ASL teacher in the Young Actors Guild’s 32-year history. There I taught ages 3-23 the basic signs of ASL, Deaf culture, and Deafness in theatre.
The social media/marketing strategy that will best support From A Black Girl Literacy is to hold tutoring sessions for students who are having trouble with reading comprehension, meet with local and state educational officials to include ASL in curriculums, and host English and ASL poetry slams/workshops. Another great way to spread this message is to get “From A Black Girl Vol. 1” into classrooms.
In respect of my community service initiative, I have planned with my Ole Miss instructor – Dr. Ronda Bryan, an adjunct professor of ASL and faculty advisor to the Ole Miss club Handband – to begin to introduce “From A Black Girl” to Oxford Mississippi.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggles have primarily been prioritizing the campaign and being a college student.
In May of 2025, I will be the first on my father’s side to graduate so it has been quite a task to balance the two very important virtues in my life. I am studying for a B.A. in Theatre Arts with a minor in American Sign Language on the certified interpreter track at Ole Miss.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is centered around my love of books, I am a self-proclaimed bibliophile and am known for my enjoyment of reading and teaching American Sign Language. In a recent theatrical pursuit at my current institution, I was a part of the ensemble of “The Prom.” In “Acceptance Song” there is a line where everyone on stage has to sign a line from the song.
The day we were learning that particular song in rehearsal I remember everyone turning to me knowing that I am very knowledgeable in ASL. It was a blast teaching everyone in the cast! The best experience was inviting my Deaf 211 ASL instructor to see the show on our interpreted matinee and surprising him with the on-stage line.
I am most proud to have my book “From A Black Girl To All Black Girls Poems and Monologues Vol. 1” in stock at my favorite bookstore (and better yet a local shop) Novel.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned along my journey is to trust God and to have the utmost compassion for all I come across. These two lessons I believe will carry me all the days of my life and can encourage anyone to live beautifully.
Pricing:
- $25/ hour of Basic one-on-one ASL tutoring
- $75/hour of Basic group (3+) ASL tutoring
Contact Info:
- Website: alexachristian.com
- Instagram: @fromablackgirlliteracy
- Youtube: @thealexachristian
Image Credits
Constance Terry-Morris
