Founder, President & Executive Director

Julie Ann Shoeman is a Deaf community advocate based in Jefferson County, West Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Gallaudet University, a Master of Social Work (2025), and will complete her Master of Public Administration in May 2026*. She will begin doctoral studies in Law and Public Policy shortly afterward.

Julie serves on the West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She founded DREAMWAVE Advocates Movement Alliance, Inc. to strengthen advocacy, communication access, and community support for Deaf, DB, and HOH individuals across West Virginia.

Co-Vice President & Consultant

Mary Ann Jividen is a Deaf community leader and one of the original founders of the Eastern Panhandle Deaf Alliance (EPDA), established in 2017 to address gaps in services for Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and late-deafened individuals in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Her leadership helped build early advocacy and community support efforts in the region.

Mary Ann now serves as Co-Vice President and consultant for DREAMWAVE Advocates Movement Alliance, Inc., helping provide continuity and guidance as the organization expands communication access, advocacy, and community support across West Virginia.

Co-Vice President

James E. Groff is a DeafBlind advocate and researcher based in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government with a Law emphasis and a minor in History (2018) and a Master of Public Administration (2020) from Gallaudet University. He will complete his Master of Divinity from Liberty University in May 2026.

Through his role with DREAMWAVE Advocates Movement Alliance, Inc., James contributes primarily to grant development and research, helping identify funding opportunities and support the organization’s advocacy and communication access initiatives across West Virginia.

He also serves as Chairman of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Deaf Board in Frederick, Maryland, supporting faith-based outreach and leadership within the Deaf and DeafBlind community.

Board Secretary

Mindy Zampino lives in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and is Hard of Hearing (HOH) with generational hearing loss in her family. She is the mother of three HOH children and brings both personal and family experience navigating hearing loss, education systems, and access to services. Mindy has worked as an Assistant Teacher with the Jefferson County Head Start program, where she supported children with diverse learning and developmental needs.

Her experiences as a HOH individual, daughter, sibling, and parent of HOH children give her a deep understanding of the challenges families face when seeking communication access and educational support. She is passionate about improving services for Deaf and HOH children and helping bridge understanding between Deaf, HOH, and hearing communities.

Board Treasurer

Melvin Creamer is a long-time advocate and leader within the Deaf community. He graduated from the West Virginia School for the Deaf in Romney, West Virginia, in 1971, later earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University in 1977 and a Master of Arts degree from West Virginia University in 1983. Throughout his career, he has remained actively involved in Deaf community leadership and advocacy.

Leadership and Organizational Involvement

West Virginia Association of the Deaf
President, 1987–1993

Northern Virginia Black Deaf Advocates
President, 1998–2004

National Black Deaf Advocates
Conference Co-Chair, 2009

New York City Black Deaf Advocates
Treasurer, 2013–2017

Black Deaf Senior Citizens of America
Board Director, 2023–2025

Board Member & Interpreter Workforce Advisor

Linda Brown holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Studies and Leadership. She is nationally certified through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and has worked in the interpreting field for more than 30 years.

Throughout her career, Linda has worked in a variety of settings, including freelance interpreting, agency work, and federal service. She most recently retired from the Department of Defense after many years of professional service.

In her personal time, Linda enjoys bicycling and reading.

Board Member & Community Engagement Advisor