Audiences are moved as Nyle DiMarco discusses and demonstrates the value of non-verbal communication and embracing one's true identity. As he shares firsthand experiences from his life and career, he piques curiosity among listeners as they gain a deeper understanding of the deaf community. In his powerfully emotive presentations, Nyle reveals his triumphs, challenges, fears and dreams, and encourages others to live their own lives authentically and define their own versions of success. Listeners walk away enlightened and empowered to discount societal pressures, embrace diversity and appreciate and harness personal strengths.
Nyle DiMarco, winner of Dancing with the Stars and America's Next Top Model, empowers audiences to believe they can do and be anything they want in life, no matter the obstacle.
He won the mirror ball trophy on ABC's Dancing with the Stars (season 22) and was the last model standing on The CW's America's Next Top Model (cycle 22), now Nyle is winning over audiences as an influential leader and ambassador for the deaf community. Born into a multigenerational deaf family, he is an honorary spokesperson for Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) and founder of the Nyle DiMarco Foundation, which works to improve the lives of deaf people around the world. Nyle has produced the 2018 return to Broadway of Children of a Lesser God starring Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff. Nyle was also a creative collaborator on The ASL App, created by native deaf signers to teach conversational American Sign Language.
With a passion for language, literacy and advocacy within the deaf community and beyond, Nyle shares his barrier-breaking story as a deaf man who has risen above stereotypes to take the world by storm. Believing that his deafness is "an asset rather than a limitation," he builds a bridge between the deaf and hearing by shining a light on not only the struggles, but also the triumphs of the deaf culture. Above all, Nyle shows audiences that with a sense of community, commitment to your goals, and belief in yourself, you can accomplish anything.
About the Diversity Lecture Series
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is proud to present the Diversity Lecture Series, a series that features distinguished leaders and experts to inspire campus dialogue, community engagement and learning about the national narrative on diversity and inclusion. The speakers include scholars, thought leaders and diversity professionals whose research, scholarship, leadership and advocacy enhance the university's efforts to present diverse ideas, perspectives and viewpoints to inspire greater understanding and appreciation for diversity and inclusion.
The Diversity Lecture Series was made possible through support of various university departments at Wichita State University.
All events are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at (316) 978-3034.