During SXSW 2026, Proud Stutter and the Arthur M. BLank Center are hosting a community gathering focused on stuttering and disability across film, media, education, and technology.

The event brings together filmmakers, educators, technologists, advocates, and people who stutter for conversations, film clips, and audience dialogue. The panels explore how stuttering is represented in media, how education and clinical care are evolving, and how technology can better support communication access.

Program

8:30 AM

Doors Open

Grab a few bites and coffee

9AM-9:50AM

Panel 1

Media, TV, and Cultural Representation
How has stuttering and disability appeared in television, podcasting, and documentary storytelling, and how can we change the narrative? Panelists with dive into this question and preview clip from an upcoming documentary on stuttering, race, and the American South.

10AM-10:50AM

Panel 2

Stuttering in Education and Technology
A speech-language pathologist and a technology researcher discuss changes in how stuttering is understood in education and clinical care, and how tools such as AI may shape communication and access.

11AM-11:50AM

Panel 3

Film Spotlight – The Way We Move
A conversation with the creators and participants of The Way We Move (a SXSW 2026 selection), exploring music, Deaf culture, storytelling, and access in film and entertainment.

SPEAKERS

Opening Remarks

Maya Chupkov is a documentary filmmaker and stuttering advocate whose work centers invisible disability, storytelling, and social justice. She is the award-winning, Ambie-nominated creator and founder of the Proud Stutter podcast and the Media & Democracy Program Manager at CA Common Cause. As a person who stutters, Maya’s work explores how speech, credibility, and access are shaped by systems such as education, healthcare, and the criminal legal system.

Her creative projects invite audiences to listen more slowly and more honestly. She is also the author of “My Stutter: Life of Verbal Turbulence,” a comic book used in K-12 school and university curriculum.

Our moderator for the duration of the program

Dom Kelly is the Founder, President & CEO of New Disabled South and its 501(c)(4) arm, New Disabled South Rising. A lifelong disability advocate and social justice organizer, Dom has been building progressive infrastructure in the U.S. South since 2009. He is a celebrated movement leader, organizer, speaker, and writer, as well as a former touring musician who has recorded and performed with artists like Indigo Girls, The Bangles, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and more.

Born with cerebral palsy, Dom began advocating for disability rights at age four. He previously worked as a senior advisor on Stacey Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign and led fundraising at her organization Fair Fight Action. He holds multiple degrees, including a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and is completing his Doctor of Public Health at The George Washington University.

Dom is a 2025 Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity, a 2024 Rockwood Fellow, and a 2023 J.M. Kaplan Innovation Prize winner. His writing has been published in Teen Vogue, The Hill, In These Times, Mondoweiss, Common Defense, and more. He has been featured on NPR, Sky News, Forbes, and TODAY.com, and he has been a featured speaker on stages at SXSW, Netroots Nation, Disability Summer School in Galway, Ireland, Mozfest in Barcelona, Spain, and more. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and daughter.

Panel 1: 9:00am-9:50am

Media, TV, and Cultural Representation

Mitch Guerra, a Waco native, graduate of Texas A&M University, and recipient of a master’s degree from Dallas Baptist University, stands as a passionate advocate for students navigating diverse challenges. As a person who stutters, Mitch shares an authentic and engaging message of perseverance, inclusivity, and hope. Currently serving as an elementary P.E. teacher and tennis coach, Mitch encourages young people to embrace active lifestyles while discovering the value in their own stories. He believes that every challenge—whether personal, physical, or emotional—can be a stepping stone toward growth. Mitch’s story reached a national audience as a contestant on Survivor 48, where he proudly represented the stuttering community and demonstrated that authenticity and competitiveness can go hand in hand. Through his journey, both on and off the island, Mitch continues to inspire others to embrace their obstacles, own their experiences, and reshape how they see themselves and the world around them.

Phillip Solomon is an educator, fitness professional, and motivational figure who thrives on challenging the status quo as a person who stutters. With a strong foundation in education, Phillip has spent years empowering youth and communities through innovative teaching strategies, mentorship, and advocacy for equity in learning. His passion for personal growth and wellness led him to the world of fitness, where he inspires others to transform their bodies and unlock their full potential. Phillip is known for fusing discipline, determination, and heart together. As a standout competitor on NBC’s “Deal or No Deal Island,” Phillip brought the same grit, charisma, and strategic mindset that define his work off-screen. He's redefining what it means to show up fully and lead for purpose, with purpose, on purpose. Phillip is proving that with resilience and authenticity, anything is possible.

Tessa Andrade is a person who stutters and a strategic and creative Addy Award-winning producer specializing in multi-platform marketing video content, spending 8+ years managing the production process from creation to deployment, delivering creative video content for global brands, emphasizing integrated communications and ensuring the client’s vision and story are brought to life. Tessa prides herself on being an excellent communicator and creative leader. Working both independently and collaboratively, she’s able to seamlessly direct talent, cameras, and crew in the field as well as post-production editors and motion graphic artists to ensure brand consistency in marketing, messaging, and creativity by working with internal and external partners.

Panel 2: 10:00am-10:50am

Media, TV, and Cultural Representation

Jack Rodriguez, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and clinical research associate at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research. As an individual who stutters, his passion and drive to help others who stutter has led him to publish and present multiple research articles on the psychosocial aspects and treatment of stuttering nationally and internationally.

Shaomei Wu is a person who stutters, a former tech lead at Facebook AI, and the founder and CEO of AImpower.org, a tech non-profit that researches and co-develops empowering technologies for, with, and by people who stutter. As a technical expert and stuttering advocate, she has published more than 10 research articles on stuttering and technology, and regularly organizes and speaks at both technical and community venues – such as the American Association for Advancements in Science Annual Meeting, ACM Computer Human Interaction Conference, InterSpeech conference, and the National Stuttering Association’s Annual Conference – to advance disfluency-friendly speech and communication technologies.

Panel 3: 11:00am-11:50am

Film Spotlight - THE WAY WE MOVE

Vanessa Dumont is an artistic director. After studying video at the Beaux-Arts d'Annecy, France, Vanessa Dumont started her own business. She worked for several creative agencies before beginning her collaborating with Nicolas Davenel in 2017. Together, they made music videos, commercials and documentary filmmaking ("The Big Jump" official selection Cannes 2019, "The Way We Move" selection SXSW 2026)

Amber Galloway-Gallego is as a trailblazer in the world of sign language interpretation, particularly within the realm of concerts and music festivals. Specializing in the dynamic genres of rap and hip-hop, she has become a household name and a passionate advocate for music accessibility at all levels of hearing ability. She has interpreted for over 400 artists, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, Kedrick Lamar and Eminem as well as appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with Wiz Khalifa.

Nicolas Davenel made his first music videos in the United States and quickly began collaborating with renowned artists such as Birdy Nam Nam and Brodinsky. He began working with Vanessa Dumont in 2017. Together, they make music videos, commercials and documentary films ("The Big Jump" Official Selection Cannes 2019, "The Way We Move" Selection SXSW 2026)

The Venue

Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research

2504 B Whitis Ave CMB 3.102, Austin, TX 78712