About Joyful Signing
We are a recognized leader in providing language access.
We passionately serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. From day one, Joyful Signing has been committed to quality in all regards.
Community Focused
Together we are greater than the sum of each part. By focusing on the community at large, we further our impact and achieve more.
Accessibility
We go above and beyond with the goal of providing equal access to all.
History
Joyful signing was founded by Joi Bannister in 2009 to provide ASL interpretation to the DC region in a freelance capacity. Around 2016, Joi began receiving requests from customers to provide additional services and transitioned Joyful Signing into a full-service agency. She also had her daughter in 2016 so her husband, Novell Bannister, quit his job to stay home and Joi put him to work helping run Joyful Signing.
It took a few years of diligently growing the interpreter pool and gaining the trust of our customers and then the pandemic struck. No one was certain what the future would hold, discussions were held about whether Joyful Signing could survive, but not only did we survive we grew. We remained agile in ensuring access was provided virtually and in-person once the world started opening up again.
Since 2009, Joyful Signing has provided thousands of hours of accessibility services throughout the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area and beyond. As the needs of our community and world at large have shifted, we have also strengthened our capacity for virtual services, allowing us to service even more individuals and organizations throughout the nation.
We are committed to excellent customer service for our customers and D/deaf and Hard-of-Hearing consumers through clear and accurate communication.
Philosophy
The question we ask ourselves most often is, “What is right?”. We believe in doing the right thing, always. We strive to set our interpreters up for success so they may provide the best service and communication access to the Deaf Community we all serve.
In Joi’s earlier days, she was a Disney Cast Member, Medieval Times Bar Wench, and a Summer Camp Counselor. All these experiences along the way have helped solidify her belief that providing the best overall customer experience and being an advocate for integrity is how we can have the most impact.
Our Commitments
TO OUR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY:
- Provide qualified interpreters that match your skill and language needs.
- Provide excellent customer service.
- Provide pro-bono services when appropriate to support the community.
- Listen to your feedback and be open to making improvements.
- Advocate for your rights to communication access.
TO OUR INTERPRETERS AND THE INTERPRETING COMMUNITY:
- Provide transparency and complete assignment details for all assignments.
- Pay fairly and quickly based on your skills, certification(s), and expertise.
- Advocate for the interpreting profession.
- Give back by serving as a mentor to the local Interpreter Training Program interpreters.
- Provide opportunities to grow and develop.
TO OUR CLIENTS:
- Provide top quality interpreting services at an affordable price.
- Customize interpreting services tailored to all parties.
- Provide quality customer service during every interaction.
- Invoice timely.
- Listen to feedback and make improvements when needed.
Team
Get to know our experienced team.
Joi Bannister
CEO, Founder
Joi Bannister, CEO, Founder
Joi Bannister is an award-winning CEO and a current 2025 Washington Business Journal Diversity Honoree. She first became interested in sign language in high school. Although she now has significant experience in the Department of Defense setting, she has always been interested in entrepreneurship and set a goal of starting and building an agency early on. She believes by setting interpreters up for success, they are positioned to serve and provide high-quality communication access to the Deaf Community. When she’s not interpreting, running Joyful Signing, serving as a County Commissioner, Joi enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering with the Miss America Organization, traveling, cheering on the Miami Dolphins, and playing with her new puppy Maui, a Portuguese Water Dog. She is not only mom to Maui, she is also mom to Eric and Jayla and 2 cats: Bella and Starr.
Heather Turell
Chief Operating Officer
Heather Turell, Chief Operating Officer
Heather is an experienced interpreter and educator with a specialization in scientific research, conferences, and medical interpretation as a designated interpreter. Heather holds a Ph.D. in Interpretation and Translation, with research interests in language ideologies, interpreter assessment, culturally responsive and trauma-informed pedagogy, and interpreter cognition and learning.
Originally from Los Angeles, Heather has made the DMV area her home since 2013. When she’s not immersed in her work, she loves to reconnect with nature. Whether it’s SCUBA diving, hiking, camping, or enjoying a good book, Heather treasures the time spent with her husband and their two children in the great outdoors.
Novell Bannister
Director of Business Operations
Novell Bannister, Director of Business Operations
Novell Bannister has a multi-facet background from the leadership roles in the restaurant and hospitality industry, contractor IT support to the federal government and a really talented Chef. If you ever meet him, ask him about his preferred Bourbon and what pairs best with cigars.
Novell is always a friendly face for your accessible needs. His 15 years hospitality experience gives Novell an exceptional perspective on what our clients need and how Joyful Signing can be the solution.
He spends most of his time looking for new opportunities, attending networking events, and sharing opportunities that Joyful Signing has with the community. In his spare time he enjoys cheering on his Miami Dolphins, providing exceptional customer service to his cats Bella and Starr and our family dog named Maui and watching Taylor Sheridan shows.
Jessica Clark
Director of Scheduling
Jessica Clark, Director of Scheduling
Hi! I’m Jessica Clark, Director of Scheduling at Joyful Signing. Originally from Prince George’s County, MD, I now call the beautiful Coastal Carolinas home. When I’m not coordinating schedules, you’ll find me traveling, soaking up the sun by the beach or pool, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Grace Cooney
Interpreting Manager
Grace Cooney, Interpreting Manager
Grace Cooney RID, MSW was born and raised in Maine. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree from Oberlin College in African American Studies and Dance Choreography. She attended Gallaudet University as her “study abroad” year while an undergraduate. Grace later earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from The University of Southern Maine. During her interpreting career, she has worked for Gallaudet University, the Federal Department of Education, and in Maine as a free-lance interpreter. She loves new challenges, especially working into formal register English. She is passionate about access and inclusive spaces and loves to work in a variety of settings, always striving for continuous improvement. When not working, Grace enjoys power tools, home renovations, being in nature, chips and queso, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, family, and friends.
Anh Doan
Fulbright Scholar, Staff Interpreter
Anh Doan, Fulbright Scholar, Staff Interpreter
Hi, I’m Anh! I’m a sign language interpreter from Vietnam and a Fulbright Scholar with a Master’s degree in Interpretation from Gallaudet University.
My experiences working with Deaf communities in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and the United States have shaped my commitment to language access and inclusion. I believe learning is a lifelong journey, and I am continually growing as an interpreter across the languages and communities I work with. I am particularly interested in research on Vietnamese sign languages and advancing the interpreting profession, especially in emerging contexts.
I enjoy traveling, crafting, and discovering new cultures and perspectives through the people and places I encounter.
Clara Mann
Scheduling Lead
Clara Mann, Scheduling Lead
I’m the scheduling team lead at Joyful Signing and work part-time as both an ASL interpreter and dance instructor. Outside of work, I enjoy crocheting, spending time with pets, listening to music, and dancing. I am deeply passionate about accessibility, advocacy, and fostering connection with the Deaf Community!
Holdyn Morrow-Porter
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Holdyn Morrow-Porter, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Hi, I’m Holdyn!
I am the Marketing & Communications Specialist at Joyful Signing, where I oversee all of our marketing initiatives, client communications, and more! I am passionate about creating meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they serve through accessible and inclusive communication. I believe that communication has the power to build relationships, foster inclusion, and create positive change. I am so proud to contribute to Joyful Signing’s mission of ensuring communication access with clarity, purpose, and impact.
I am currently pursuing my MBA with concentrations in Human Resources and Marketing and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, but in my spare time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my cats, and trying new experiences – whether that’s a workout class, karaoke night, or simply visiting a local café!
Mikela Nolin
Administrative Manager
Mikela Nolin, Administrative Manager
Mikela has been part of the Joyful Signing team since 2021, serving as Administrative Manager. In this role, she ensures the smooth operation of daily activities by organizing, coordinating, and supporting the team behind the scenes.
Beyond her work at Joyful, Mikela is passionate about anything related to the outdoors and/or community building in her city of Missoula, Montana. She recently founded a nonprofit dedicated to breaking barriers to biking for trans, nonbinary, gender diverse folks and women in her community. She is also the Executive Director of a nonprofit that reimagines composting through entirely bike and human-powered processes, while providing natural food systems education to the people of Montana. She loves any activity that involves being in the mountains, rivers, snow, sun or dirt.
Shirrita Francis
Finance Officer (Contractor)
Shirrita Francis, Finance Officer (Contractor)
Shirrita Francis serves as the Finance Officer for Joyful Signing, LLC, bringing over 25 years of legal experience and more than 15 years in tax and financial services. She provides tailored bookkeeping, accounts payable, financial advising, and strategic support to ensure the company’s growth and success. With an open-door policy and year-round accessibility, Shirrita is a trusted partner committed to empowering Joyful Signing to focus on its vision and passion.
Outside of work, you’ll find Shirrita working out, and spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and family. She places God first in her life and loves to travel and embrace a good adventure.