National Black Deaf Advocates

Mission

The Mission of the National Black Deaf Advocates is to promote leadership development, economic and educational opportunities, social equality, and to safeguard the general health and welfare of Black deaf and hard of hearing people.

Services Provided

Advocacy

The National Association for the Deaf (NAD), Self Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH), state agencies serving deaf and hard of hearing, and the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) are service-oriented organizations that provide advocacy for individuals. They also advocate and propose changes in federal and state laws for all deaf and hard of hearing people.

Black Deaf History

The NBDA Archives Program aims to preserve and protect Black Deaf history. Black Deaf history has long been neglected. While there have been numerous books, films and articles on Deaf life, few have focused on the experiences of Black Deaf Americans. By learning more about the history and experience of Black Deaf people, all people will gain a better understanding of the diverse nature of American history. NBDA firmly believes that preservation and sharing of the Black Deaf experience both within the community and with persons of other races can only help to promote greater tolerance and understanding.

Black Deaf Women Leadership

The Miss Black Deaf America pageant is a competition for young Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing women in areas of platform, talent, style, and interview. Since its inception in 1983 during the second National Black Deaf Advocates Conference in Philadelphia, PA, the pageant has crowned more than 20 Miss Black Deaf America winners.

In addition to the competition, the MBDAP program also promotes young ladies with education and leadership opportunities for their professional and personal growth and prepares them to be role models for today’s young girls. MBDAP winners receive its scholarship towards supporting their educational goals.

College & Youth

Collegiate Black Deaf Student Leadership Institute was established in 2005 as an intensive one week leadership training opportunity for minority college students. The CBDSLI’s purpose is to further develop and practice leadership skills, and to prepare the next generation of Black deaf and hard of hearing leaders to serve in diverse deaf & world communities. The objectives for the CBDSLI participants are:

• Understanding their own leadership styles & how these affect others through hands-on activities, role-playing & personal exploration
• Learn how to market their own skills effectively
• Understand the dynamics of oppression
• Demonstrate & perform basic leadership skills including communication, conflict resolution, & planning/organization skills
• Demonstrate appreciation of importance of integrity and ethics for leaders

CBDSLI leadership training is held biennially in conjunction with the NBDA National Conference. For application to participate in the CBDSLI program, please contact cbdsli@nbda.org.

Publications

The NBDA Connections is the official publication of NBDA and is a benefit exclusively for NBDA members. NBDA Connections is published quarterly (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall). To receive a full newsletter. you must be a current member. If you would like to become a member, please visit Membership. For contribution of articles or announcements, please contact NBDA at info@nbda.org.

Scholarships

Dr. Glenn B. Anderson Scholarship: Scholarship Opportunity (Black Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing students, and Deafblind)

This is an educational financial assistance for BDA members and non-members. The Dr. Glenn B. Anderson Scholarship is funded through the generosity of individual donors, corporate donors and fundraising. Scholarship can only be available to distribute depending on the available funds. For donations or to be a corporate donor, go directly to the donate page to make a donation. If you would like to make a large donation, please contact scholarship@nbda.org.

Senior Citizen

The Black Deaf Senior Citizen Program aims to develop and strengthen a support network for Black Deaf seniors, assist NBDA in becoming better informed about the unique needs, concerns and challenges faced by members of this particular segment of the Black Deaf community, and design and implement outreach programs and activities tailored to respond to their unique needs.

Locate a Chapter

Locate a local chapter.

How Many People Reached

10,000+ 

How Donations Are Used

Donations are being used to support several programs:

• Scholarship Fund : Dr. Glenn B. Anderson
• Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.)
• Collegiate Black Deaf Student
• Leadership Institute (CBDSLI)
• Black Deaf Women Leadership Program

Project Spotlight

Helping Educate to Advance the Rights of Deaf Communities (HEARD)

Interesting Facts

The First National Conference was held in Cleveland, Ohio on August 13-15, 1982, in the heart of downtown Stouffers Inn on the Square. The conference theme “Black Deaf Strength Through Awareness” drew 300 participants. Topics were related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Social Services, and Hearing Parents with deaf children. Charles “Chuck” V. Williams served as the conference chairperson. The debate was held as to whether to a national organization should be formed. The motion to declare the First National Conference a National organization passed.

The new organization National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) was officially formed. The six founding members were instrumental in establishing NBDA: Lottie Crook, Ernest Hairston, Williard Shorter, Linwood Smith, Charles “Chuck” V. Williams, and Elizabeth “Ann” Wilson. The national executive secretary Albert Couthen was elected to coordinate the efforts to form a national office.