LitFest 2025: Deaf Storytelling & Poetry with NuNu Davis & Mj Shahen

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about language are the endless ways it can take shape, from the spoken and written word to physical, corporeal form. In this LitFest program, City of Asylum welcomes Deaf storytellers and poets sharing work in American Sign Language (ASL) and Visual Vernacular (VV).

While ASL is its own language, with its own grammar structure separate from English, VV is a storytelling and poetic technique that comes to life through body language and facial expressions, offering a more interpretive means of expression with a feeling and vibe all its own. Each of these language art forms seeks to expand and enrich the act of storytelling, proving that you do not need sound to create points of connection. 

This program, hosted by former ASL Poet Laureate of Allegheny County Mj Shahen, features performances by two Pittsburgh-based storytellers—Kj Johnson and Val Wojton—as well as a longer storytelling performance by Baltimore-based Deaf comedian NuNu Davis. 

The performances will be followed by an audience Q&A. 

Hearing folks are welcome! ASL interpretation to be provided by interpreters Heather Gray and Joshua Stresing.

About the Artists:

Antines “NuNu” Davis was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. When attending college in Minnesota, she became the first Black Deaf female to win the Miss Deaf Minnesota title in 1991. She loves to share ASL stories with the Deaf community, including having shared a few stories as part of the visionaries of the Creative Arts-ISM at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. She is actively involved in several organizations in the Deaf community, such as Deaf Women of Color, National Deaf People of Color, and the Baltimore Charter of the National Black Deaf.

Maryjean (Mj) Shahen writes poetry and then translates it into ASL. Previously, Mj worked for years as a counselor and trainer for Deaf-Blind and Deaf individuals with multiple intellectual disabilities, using various technologies and visual cues for instruction and visual/tactual communication. She holds a BS from Gallaudet University and an MS from Hofstra University, and she served in the Peace Corps in Kenya. Mj was also a judge and consultant for the TV game show SignTacTic. Currently, Mj is the ASL Coordinator and an associate professor at CCAC.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for brunch from 9:30 to 2 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.