 | Makenna is an entrepreneur from St. Paul, Minnesota. She discovered her passion for ASL in high school and continued her learning journey by enrolling in American Sign Language Interpreting program at Saint Paul College after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bethel University. She now has her American Sign Language Studies Certificate and runs her own Social Media Management business, Entirely Bonkers Media Co, which helps business owners tell their stories authentically online. Makenna is excited to be part of the Sign Language Blitz team and to use her expertise to help develop the platform. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her two cats, and visiting all the local coffee shops in the Twin Cities area. |
Makenna Cook / August 29th, 2025 
Academy Award–winning actor and advocate Marlee Matlin is the focus of a new feature documentary, Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore. Directed by Shoshannah Stern, the film centers American Sign Language, uses open captions throughout, and removes conventional voiceover so the story is told visually and directly in ASL. It is. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / August 29th, 2025 
When Green Day’s American Idiot first hit Broadway in 2010, it wowed audiences with its raw energy and punk-rock storytelling. But no production has reimagined the show quite like Deaf West Theatre’s American Sign Language (ASL) adaptation. By weaving ASL into the music, choreography, and design, Deaf West created a. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / July 17th, 2025 
There is a common misconception that American Sign Language Interpreters are just people who have a certain level of fluency in ASL which makes them eligible to interpret for any Deaf person on the street. The truth is, American Sign Language interpreters often have a degree in interpreting, studying the. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / June 1st, 2025 
Helen Keller left a lasting impact on DeafBlind history. Born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, Helen Keller’s life story is a story of the strong-willed human spirit. Despite being blind and deaf in the 1880s, she defied all odds and emerged as an influential figure in the fields. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / June 1st, 2025 At Sign Language Blitz, we celebrate the resilience, ingenuity, and unique experiences of the Deafblind community. In this blog, we’ll explore the multifaceted world of Deafblindness, diving into the power of PTASL and Pro-Tactile, the evolving landscape of Deafblind technology, and the invaluable resources that foster empowerment and inclusion. Deafblindness:. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / March 31st, 2025 
Deaf entrepreneurs across the globe are defying stereotypes and proving that hearing status poses no barrier to success as they carve out paths as small business owners.. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / March 31st, 2025 
A village sign language once widely used on Martha’s Vineyard island from the early 1800s until 1952, Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) was utilized by both Deaf and hearing community members, so Deafness was not a barrier to public engagement.. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / February 27th, 2025 
36 years ago, the ‘Deaf President Now’ movement ignited a revolution. What began as a fight for the first Deaf president at Gallaudet University blossomed into an international conversation about representation. Deaf President Now paved the way for future generations to embrace their Deafness with pride. Even decades later, the. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / January 14th, 2025 
Super Bowl LVIX, set for February 9, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, will feature an exciting and historic moment for the Deaf community. This year, the Super Bowl performances will include three highly skilled and accomplished American Sign Language (ASL) performers: Stephanie Nogueras, Matt Maxey, and Otis Jones IV. These incredible. . . + Read More
Makenna Cook / January 14th, 2025 
The National Association of the Deaf has just announced the 2024 Super Bowl performers for Super Bowl LVIII. They are Daniel Durant, Anjel Piñero, and Shaheem Sanchez. Super Bowl LVIII will take place on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Academy Award winning actor Daniel Durant will perform the. . . + Read More
