The Interpreter.
Originally from outside of Flint, MI. As a CODA, (Child of Deaf Adults) my world naturally lives in the space of interpreting. I was born into and existed in the center of the Hearing and Deaf worlds. My first language is not spoken, but through the use of my eyes and motions. I have my undergrad degree in Industrial Design from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as this taught me to identify key problems, develop research skills, and find a solution through the practice of design. Additional education from Pensole Design Academy, which specifically focused on the Footwear Design process and lessons learned through Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, Suzette Henry, and Angela Medlin. As a team, we collaborated in a cross-functional manner, and presented our finished products through storytelling. Rooted from working in a scope of footwear retail spaces, my knowledge of the Runner comes from my past work experiences at Finish Line, Fleet Feet, and currently as a Senior Runner Experience Specialist at Brooks Running.
To me, interpreting means to be actively thinking and listening in a seamless way to the perspective of the Runner and translate the input to an output that allows the Runner to achieve their best experience through products.
As an interpreter, I have to be authentic and be able to live in the space of the Runner. I am constantly running, training, and expanding my bandwidth; this allows me to share these experiences with the Runner and be able to gain valuable insight.
-BG