How I Built This with Guy Raz Meet The HIBT Fellows: Pierre Paul & Toby Egbuna
May 11, 2021
Pierre Paul, founder of We Hear You, is on a mission to bridge communication gaps for the deaf community with a groundbreaking sign language translator. He shares his journey overcoming language barriers and fostering accessibility. Toby Egbuna, co-founder of Chezzi, discusses their efforts to empower job seekers from underrepresented groups, particularly during the pandemic. Together, they highlight the importance of inclusivity, leadership, and innovation in creating meaningful change in society.
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Childhood Language Barriers
- Pierre Paul struggled with his accent and English as a child, facing xenophobia and potential academic setbacks.
- This fueled his passion for mastering language and ensuring everyone has a voice, regardless of exceptionalities.
Speech and Debate Prowess
- Pierre Paul excelled in speech and debate during high school, becoming one of Ohio's top speakers.
- He earned a speech scholarship to Bradley University, further solidifying his passion for communication.
We Hear You's Origin
- At Bradley, Pierre Paul's capstone project focused on creating a sign language translator.
- Inspired by witnessing communication difficulties of deaf individuals in restaurants, he dreamed of a solution and named the company "We Hear You."