Comedian Keith Wann Launches First Talk Radio Show For ASL Community on Toginet Talk Radio

Online, July 31, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Lindale, TX-ASL comedian Keith Wann, adds the title of premiere ASL talk radio host to his list of ongoing endeavors within the ASL community. Over the past twenty years in entertainment, Wann has become a leading figure in his industry as an entrepreneur and bilingual ASL comedian of international acclaim. Wann's show, titled That Keith Wann Show-Cultural Bridges, launches on August 4th from 8:00-9:00 pm EST, on the Toginet talk radio network. Wann will host guests; Windell "Wink" Smith Jr., Director of Outreach & Video Communications of Sign Language Resource Services, Inc., Inspirational, bi-lingual and bi-cultural Speaker, Lisa Callsen, and Stand-up Comedian Lianna Carrera.

Addressing the launch of his unique show, Wann states, "My goal is to offer the deaf community insight and connection to the hearing world in all media forms, and vice versa. Talk radio is an extension of my continued efforts to connect to the hearing, ASL and Coda communities in shared experiences and entertainment." Wann views his upcoming show as a potential study tool for ASL teachers and students. "It is imperative that ASL students, new and veteran interpreters, and professors in diverse fields of the ASL industry, understand this show as a valuable resource to reference. Talk radio is yet another outlet that will help put a voice on their profession. Guests requiring an interpreter will be featured periodically, and will offer further context to the personal and professional headway, that the deaf and Coda communities have made in connecting with the hearing world." Each of Wann's guest interviews will roll live stream captioning and be interpreted in sign language for access on YouTube the following day.

Reflecting an important need for the community, Wann views his show as a pivotal tool in opening up further connective opportunities among his counterparts and following base. Cultural Bridges will offer an educational platform for listeners to share life experiences, inspirational stories, and industry expertise among each other. Guests will include a wide range of talent from Wann's non-profit organization coda365.org (children of deaf adults) and ASL community. Interviews will focus on issues appealing to listeners, from the perspective of ASL and CODA entertainers, teachers, interpreters and industry professionals.

Recognized as the producer of the ASL Comedy Tour with wife Emilia, ASL Across America and manager of interpreter video service company callVRS.org, Wann is acclaimed as the funniest and most diverse ASL comedian on the circuit. He has become a leading force in allowing the deaf community to experience entertainment and programming from a hearing point of view. Wann's notoriety among the ASL audience, has led to TV features on Law and Order, Pepsi Super Bowl commercials, and a constantly growing following on Facebook and You Tube.

Growing up in the Bay area of Northern California as the hearing son of two deaf parents, Wann brings a previously undiscovered genre to the talk radio scene. "I feel like a deaf person who has a handicap for hearing. ASL is my first language. It's in my heart," says Wann of his dual citizenship in the hearing and deaf communities. Wann's passion, ease and highly developed ASL skill, combined with an instinctive ability to connect with both his deaf and hearing environments, make him one of the most sought after and highly credentialed interpreters on the ASL speaking circuit. Comedic appearances and speaking engagements on cruises, college campuses, ASL conventions, educational conferences and entertainment venues, have caused the media to take a more in depth interest of the coda365.org founder-a pattern Wann hopes to continue as the industry's first ASL focused talk radio host. Captivating his audience with a fresh spin on cultural diversity, Wann will engage his listeners in meaningful, serious and comedic discussions as he bridges the gap between his two native worlds.

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For more information please contact Toginet PR Director, Carrie Hill at [email protected].