# National Black Deaf Advocates

The National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) is an advocacy organization for Black deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States.

## Organization

NBDA serves as the national advocate for deaf and hard of hearing African-Americans. Membership includes not only African-American adults who are deaf and hard of hearing but also deaf and hard-of-hearing people of all races, parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; professionals who work with the deaf and hard of hearing youth and adults; sign language interpreters; and affiliated individuals and organizations.
The executive board serves on a voluntary basis and consists mainly of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Its officers (president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary) are elected during the national conventions and elected board representatives represent each region (Eastern, Southern, Southwestern, Midwestern, and Western). The NBDA has several programs and scholarships:

### Scholarships

The NBDA provides educational scholarships to undergraduate and graduate black deaf students.

### Workshops

The NBDA has established two programs for youth and young adults: the Collegiate Black Deaf Student Leadership Institute and the Youth Empowerment Summit.

### Pageant

The Miss Black Deaf America beauty pageant is a competition for young Black Deaf women. Since its inception in 1983, during the second National Black Deaf Advocates Conference in Philadelphia, the pageant has crowned more than 20 Miss Black Deaf America winners. Miss Black Deaf America winners receive college scholarships towards supporting their educational goals.

### News

The NBDA Connections is the official publication of NBDA exclusively for NBDA members. It is published in every season.

## History

At the 100th anniversary of the National Association of the Deaf in July 1980, a Black deaf caucus was held. Led by Charles "Chuck" V. Williams of Ohio, Sandi LaRue and Linwood Smith of Washington, DC, they presented issues of the NAD's lack of attentiveness to the concerns of Black Deaf Americans as well as the lack of representation of Black Deaf individuals as convention delegates. Sandi LaRue issued a statement to the convention attendees: "NAD must take action to communicate better with the Black deaf community, encourage the involvement of minorities" within the national and state organizations, and recruit more Black Deaf children in the Junior NAD and youth leadership camp. The July 6, 1980 The Cincinnati Enquirer published an article on the needs of Black Deaf people at the NAD convention in which LaRue stated to the newspaper, "We would like to get on the cover and front pages."
A local Black Deaf committee in DC began the work on planning a mini-conference by, for, and about the Black Deaf experience. The first Black Deaf Conference, "Black Deaf Experience," was held on June 25–26, 1981, at Howard University in the city.
Charles "Chuck" V. Williams proposed hosting a national conference in Ohio the following year. On August 13–15, 1982, in Cleveland, Black Deaf people from all over the United States met again to address cultural and racial issues impacting the Black Deaf community. The conference theme "Black Deaf Strength through Awareness" drew more than 300 conference attendees. A debate was held as to whether a national organization should be formed. The idea was accepted.
A new organization, National Black Deaf Advocates, was officially formed. The six founding members were Lottie Crook, Ernest Hairston, Willard Shorter, Linwood Smith, Charles "Chuck" V. Williams, and Elizabeth "Ann" Wilson. In 1983 Sheryl Emery was elected as the founding president of NBDA and established the organization's by-laws and developed the administrative guidelines. Celeste Owens served as vice president.

## Past presidents

* Albert Couthen, Executive Secretary, 1982–1983
* Sheryl D. Emery, Executive Director, 1983–1987
* Celeste Owens-Samuels, Acting Executive Director, 1987–1988
* Lottie Crook, President, 1988–1990
* Carl Moore, President, 1990–1993
* Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, President, 1993–1995 and 1995–1997
* Albert Couthen, President, 1997–2000
* Gwendolyn Powell, President, 2000–2001
* Steven Younger, Acting President, 2001–2002
* Dr. Reginald Redding, President, 2002–2005
* Thomas Samuels, President, 2005–2007
* Fred M. Beam, President, 2007–2009
* Ernest E. Garrett III, President, 2009–2011
* Benro Ogunyipe, President, 2011–2013
* Patrick Robinson, President, 2013–2015
* Tim Albert, President, 2015–2017
* Evon Black, President, 2017–2019
* Isidore Niyongabo, President, 2019-Current

## Past national conferences

| Year | Location | Conference Theme |
| 1981 | Washington, DC | The Black Experience (Not NBDA Conference) |
| 1982 | Cleveland, OH | Black Deaf Strength Through Awareness (First National Conference) |
| 1983 | Philadelphia, PA | Our Place In The Society |
| 1984 | New York, NY | Destroying The Myths, Discovering The Truths |
| 1985 | Washington, DC | Glancing Back, Shape The Present, And Looking Ahead |
| 1986 | Chicago, IL | If Not Us, Then Who? If Not Now, Then When? |
| 1987 | Cleveland, OH | The Black Family: Togetherness |
| 1988 | Detroit, MI | Deaf, Gifted and Black |
| 1989 | Atlanta, GA | Returning To Basics, Defining Our Organization |
| 1990 | Oakland, CA | Motivation And Perseverance Make Dreams Come True |
| 1991 | Memphis, TN | The 90’s, What Challenges For Deaf And Hearing Impaired Americans |
| 1993 | St. Thomas, Virgin Islands | Vision of Unity: Bridging The Gap Through Broad Based Experiences |
| 1994 | St. Paul, MN | Tools For A Healthier, Wiser Black Community |
| 1995 | Nashville, TN | Thoughts And Dreams Challenge Our Black Deaf Americans |
| 1996 | Los Angeles, CA | Taking Charge: Empowerment, Leadership, and Motivation |
| 1997 | Washington, DC | Black Deaf Leadership In the 21st Century: Preparing the Way |
| 1998 | Indianapolis, IN | The Black Deaf Community: Building Collaborative Partnerships |
| 1999 | Montego Bay, Jamaica | Combing our Efforts: Education, Employment, and Youth Empowerment |
| 2000 | Houston, TX | Determining, Acquiring And Realizing Our Challenge In The New Millennium |
| 2002 | Detroit, MI | Claiming the Abundance – Black Deaf Culture: Education, Technology, Finance, and Employment |
| 2003 | Denver, CO | Soaring Higher: Meeting the Challenges, Realizing the Opportunities |
| 2004 | Philadelphia, PA | Our Place In Society: Looking Back, Moving Forward |
| 2005 | Orlando, FL | Building on Dr. Andrew Foster’s Legacy: Volunteerism and Self-Help |
| 2007 | St. Louis, MO | Today’s Vision Is Tomorrow’s Reality: Celebrating 25 Years of Progress |
| 2009 | Scottsdale, AZ | Moving To A Higher Level: Change Starts From Within |
| 2011 | Charlotte, NC | Overcoming Today’s Changing World: Changes We Need to Reinforce a Better Tomorrow |
| 2013 | New Orleans, LA | Aiming for Greater Excellence! |
| 2015 | Louisville, KY | Partners in Progress: Creating the Vision Together |
| 2017 | Baltimore, MD | Ignite & Explore Beyond All Limits |
| 2019 | Oakland, CA | Building Together: A Community of Strength, Knowledge and Power |
| 2021 | Birmingham, AL | TBA |

## Past regional conferences

| Year | Region | Location | Conference Theme |
| 2006 | Eastern | New York City, NY | Together We Unite, Together We Commit, and Together We Achieve: Inspiration, Motivation, & Preparation are our Key to Community Success |
| 2006 | Midwestern | Chicago (Alsip), IL | Black and Deaf: Together, We Stand Strong |
| 2006 | Southern | Atlanta, GA | Southern Renaissance |
| 2006 | Southwestern | Houston, TX | UJIMA: Strengthening Our Deaf Community Through Collective Work and Responsibility |
| 2008 | Eastern | Washington, D.C. | Rising to a Higher Level |
| 2008 | Midwestern | Louisville, KY | No Struggle, No Progress |
| 2008 | Southern | Charlotte, NC | You Make A Difference: Changing and Expanding Yourself |
| 2008 | Southwestern | Little Rock, AR | Empowering Our Black Deaf Community |
| 2010 | Eastern | Philadelphia, PA | It’s Our Move: A Challenge for Change |
| 2010 | Midwestern | Detroit, MI | Passing the Torch: A New Generation of Leadership |
| 2010 | Southern | Birmingham, AL | Together Everyone Achieves More Enriching the Black Deaf Community through Training, Education, Employment, Advocacy & Mentoring |
| 2010 | Southwestern | New Orleans, LA | Cultivating the Mind, Energizing the Spirit, and Progressing the People within the African American Deaf Community |
| 2012 | Eastern | South Plainfield, NJ | The Future is in Our Hands |
| 2012 | Midwestern | Cleveland (Middleburg Heights), OH | Bridging the Generational Gap |
| 2012 | Southern | Atlanta (East Point), GA | Reconnect, Refocus, Recharge |
| 2012 | Southwestern | Dallas, TX | Let’s Get Our Shine On |
| 2014 | Eastern | New York City, NY | Refocus: The Past Lights Our Future Path |
| 2014 | Midwestern | Indianapolis, IN | Through Empowerment, We Can Succeed & Gain Equality |
| 2014 | Southern | Memphis, TN | Celebrating the Past, Living the Present, Preparing for the Future |
| 2014 | Southwestern | Houston, TX | Iparabo: Come Together As One |
| 2016 | Eastern | Washington, DC | Make Us Matter |
| 2016 | Midwestern | Columbus, OH | State of the Black Health: Living Well in the 21st Century |
| 2016 | Southern | Jacksonville, FL | Moving Onward & Upward: Positive - Progress |
| 2016 | Southwestern | Little Rock, AR | Together We Can Rise to A Higher Level |
| 2018 | Eastern | Philadelphia, PA | TBA |
| 2018 | Midwestern | Indianapolis, IN | It Starts With Us |
| 2018 | Southern | Raleigh, NC | What Matters to You |
| 2018 | Southwestern | New Orleans, LA | Discovering the Treasure of Black Deaf Leadership |
| 2020 | Eastern | TBA | TBA |
| 2020 | Midwestern | St. Louis, MO | Expecting the Best for the Black Deaf Community in 2020 |
| 2020 | Southern | TBA | TBA |
| 2020 | Southwestern | Dallas, TX | 20/20 Vision - The View From Here: Black and Deaf in America |