Conversations with Raven Sutton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raven Sutton.

Hi Raven, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you ask my family, they’ll tell you I was dancing before I could walk. Music has always been a part of me, and even as a child, I was full of creativity and curiosity. My mama used to say I was going to be a superstar one day. At home, I was safe, seen, and celebrated. But outside of that space—outside of my family’s love—the world had other plans. To them, I was just a little Black Deaf girl. They tried to write me off before I even had a chance to write my own story. The more the system tried to tell me what I couldn’t do, the more determined I became to prove them wrong. I didn’t just want to show up—I wanted to change the narrative.

Growing up, the public school system didn’t accommodate me. They placed me in special ed, not because I needed it, they just didn’t want to give me an interpreter for my classes. So, I acted out and was the class clown because I was frustrated and unheard. I wasn’t a bad kid like they tried to make me believe. My mama was the first person to advocate for me. She saw through what the system was doing and refused to let it define me. She pulled me out of mainstream school and enrolled me into the Alabama School for the Deaf. That was the turning point. I went from being overlooked to graduating as the valedictorian of my class. It was more than a personal achievement—it was legacy. I’m the third-generation Deaf person on my dad’s side to attend Alabama School for the Deaf.

I later earned my Master of Social Work degree from Gallaudet University and have made it my mission to break barriers and bring representation to spaces where Deaf people—especially Black Deaf Women—are rarely seen. That passion led me to make history as the first Deaf person on Netflix’s The Circle.

I believe in being the change you want to see. If I waited for someone else to make space for me, I’d be waiting forever. So, I take up space—and leave the door open behind me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh no, (Laughs) nothing in life has ever come easy for me, and honestly, I’m okay with that. I’m passionate, I’m persistent, and I don’t shy away from putting in the work to reach my dreams. Success isn’t just about the destination it’s about the journey, the lessons, and the testimonies we carry along the way.

One of the biggest obstacles I continue to face is people’s ignorance. They don’t educate themselves nor unpack their ableism. Too often, accessibility is seen as a burden instead of a basic right. What people don’t see is that I have to fight for accommodations in every part of my life—just to experience the simple joys that others take for granted.

And when we do take up space, when we do laugh, dance, or just be—it makes some people uncomfortable. It’s like they can’t believe we’re allowed to be joyful.

There are moments when I feel like giving up. But the thought never stays long. I remind myself: I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams. I wasn’t put on this earth by mistake. I was born to be a force. I was born to be a superstar—just like my mama always said.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear many hats!

I’m a social media creative who uses my platform to raise awareness about the Deaf community and dismantle the misconceptions held by the hearing world. My mission is to help bridge the gap between Deaf and hearing communities through education, visibility, and honest conversations.

As a consultant, I lead workshops for hearing parents of Deaf children and train organizations on how to provide meaningful accommodations—not just compliance, but real inclusion.

I’m a Deaf performer and interpreter, specializing in live music interpretation at concerts and festivals. My work ensures that Deaf concertgoers experience music in a way that feels seen and fully represented.

I also work as a full time Deaf Community Advocate at a non-profit Law firm that provides advocacy to the disabled community that experience discrimination.

I am an actress that is currently studying acting at one of the well-known acting schools in Los Angeles, continuing to grow my craft in the entertainment industry.

Overall, I’m a creative force—constantly finding new ways to pursue my dreams while fighting for access and representation. I don’t wait for an invitation to the table. I show up, I bring my own chair, and I make space for others to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluejay19xx/