National Black Deaf Advocates

Its mission statement is "to promote the leadership development, economic and educational opportunities, social equality, and to safeguard the general health and welfare of Black deaf and hard of hearing people."[1]

NBDA serves as the national advocate for thousands of deaf and hard of hearing African-Americans. As a non-profit, tax-exempt, consumer-led organization, NBDA is supported by its members and other interested in furthering the mission, vision, and strategic objectives of this esteemed organization. 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 all affiliated individuals and organizations interested in the uniqueness of Black Deaf Culture.[2]

The Executive Board serves on a voluntary basis and has mainly of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to govern NBDA. Its officers (president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary) elected during the national conventions and elected board representatives from each region (Eastern, Southern, Southwestern, Midwestern, Western).[3] NBDA has several ways in which it supports advocacy and advancement for Black Deaf Americans, primarily through programs and scholarships:

The story of Black Deaf Advocates goes back to 1980, when the idea was brought up to a small group of locals in Washington, DC, meeting with the board of Deaf Pride. The prow were concerned about identifying Black Deaf people, problems that prevent Black Deaf from achieving their potential, and the lack of leadership. In sharing their experiences, ideas, hopes talents, and abilities with one another, it became apparent that cultural isolation was a key factor.

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."

Momentum stayed strong, and 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 instrumental in establishing NBDA were Lottie Crook, Ernest Hairston, Willard Shorter, Linwood Smith, Charles "Chuck" V. Williams, and Elizabeth "Ann" Wilson.[11] 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.

Since its establishment in 1982, NBDA has grown to over 30 local chapters, crowned 23 queens as Miss Black Deaf America, hosted more than 25 National Conferences including overseas sites in Jamaica and the Virgin Islands, provided thousands of advocacy services to its members, and conducted leadership training summits for minority college students and high school aged-youth.

In 2012, it celebrated 30 years since its founding. An event was held in November that was attended by members, Deaf people from all over the world, and supporting organizations.[12]

Power lies in its membership. Members elect an executive board to govern the organization and regional board representatives to represent the interests of its members. Each region is made up of several local city/state chapters. Chapters must support the aims of NBDA as set forth in Article II of the NBDA Bylaws.

Italics denotes inactive chapter

Cities/States that are interested in reactivating or forming a chapter-branch of NBDA are encouraged to reach out to the Executive Board using the NBDA Contact Form.

• Dr. Shirley Allen, First Deaf African-American Female to Earn a Ph.D. - Former President of Houston BDA
• Dr. Glenn B. Anderson, First Deaf African-American to Earn a Ph.D. & Author of Still I Rise: The Enduring Legacy of Black Deaf Arkansans Before & After Integration - Current NBDA Board Member & Former Treasurer of Little Rock (Ark) Chapter of Black Deaf Advocates
• Michelle Banks, Award-winning Black Deaf Actress - Former New York City BDA Board Member
• Fred M. Beam, Executive Director of Invisible Hands Dance, Inc. & Founder of The Wild Zappers - Former NBDA President 2007-2009
• Sheryl Emery, Executive Director of Michigan Department of Civil Rights' Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing - First NBDA Executive Director & President 1983-1987
• Ernest E. Garrett III, Superintendent of the Missouri School for the Deaf - Former NBDA President 2009-2011
• Claudia Gordon, Esq., Associate Director of Public Engagement at the White House, First Black Deaf Female Lawyer, First Deaf American University-Washington College of Law graduate - Former Miss Black Deaf America 1990, Former NBDA Vice President 2002-2005
• Dr. Ernest Hairston, Co-Author of Black and Deaf in America & First Deaf African-American to Earn Ph.D. from Gallaudet University - Founding Member of NBDA
• Duane Halliburton, Trustee on Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees - Former NBDA Treasurer 2002-2005
• Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, Trustee on Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees - Former NBDA President 1993-1997
• Kimberly Lucas, First Deaf person to graduate from Hofstra University, First Black "Miss Deaf New York", - Former NBDA Board Member 2011-2013/2013-2015, Former President of New York BDA, Miss Black Deaf America 1984
• Opeoluwa Sotonwa, Executive Director of Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - NBDA Vice President 2013-2015
• Linwood Smith, Co-Author of Black and Deaf in America & Pioneer of Mental Health Service for Deaf People - Founding Member of NBDA
• Ronnie Mae Tyson, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - First Miss Black Deaf America 1983

• 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 & 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