NBDA President's Corner - Jan 2024

Greetings, On behalf of NBDA, I extend a warm and heartfelt Happy New Year our valued members of NBDA. This is the first newsletter of my administration, and we hope you will find the information beneficial.

As your NBDA President, I give thanks to each of you for continuing to support our beloved organization. The NBDA Board and I have experienced challenges with transition from former officers to new officers. I am relieved to inform you that despite resistance and lack of
cooperation, we now have access to our bank account(s). It took us several months to obtain this information. We recognize that NBDA finances have not been audited for the past four years and there are many unanswered questions. During the conference members approved an audit. We will be requesting a professional audit, from an outside company, so that there is no question of impartiality in the audit process.
Our Board is committed to full transparency and stabling our organization.

We are committed to the goal of promoting equality for our Black Deaf brothers and sisters. It is important that we also make room for those who do not have a seat at our table: LGBTQ, DeafBlind, CODA’s, parents of deaf children, and interpreters. There is no room for xenophobia. As a team, each of us has a responsibility to work cohesively and focus on our common goal.

Our brilliant founders Lottie Crook, Dr. Ernest Hairston, Willard Shorter, Ann Wilson, Charles “Chuck” Williams, Linwood Smith were visionaries who knew of possibilities. They knew that our people were underemployed, undervalued, and not given opportunities for equality. While
some improvements have been made in the last 40 years, we still have a long way to go to. The vision remains, the need remains, and your support remains. I look forward to 2024 being a year of productivity.

We are committed to providing regular member updates and opportunities for your feedback. In March we will host a general, members
only meeting. Please check our Facebook and website for announcements. Update your membership for accuracy. Your membership needs to have been valid for any period January 2024 – March 2024.
Your commitment and support are critical to the success of our organization and the cornerstone of our mission to advocate for the Black Deaf Community.

Welcome the following individuals who have been appointed to various roles:
• Pamela Baldwin, (Senior Citizen Committee)
• April Brown, (Senior Citizen Committee and Interim NBDA Senior Citizen Board Appointee)
• Moni Brown, (Membership Committee)
• Sandra Gillespie, (Senior Citizen Committee)
• Christopher Johnson, (Glenn Anderson Scholarship Chairperson)
• Dale G. Moore, (NBDA 2025 Conference Co-Chair)
• April Woodard-Jackson (NBDA 2025 Conference Co-Chair)
• Hugh Woodson (NBDA 2025 Conference Co-Chair)
• Willie Woodson, Regional Treasurer

The following will be serving as contractors:
• Krystal Starks, (Contractor Webmaster)
• Theordore Dorsette III & Andrea Vigil (Contractor social media and newsletter)

The following have been appointed by Vice President, Florence Pratt to the Bylaws Committee
• Obioma Officer
• Alex Jones
• Dr. Niesha Washington Sheppard
• Connell Crooms

We are in need to fill the following positions.
Please contact: [email protected]

Archives Committee
Awards Committee
Chapter Development / Support
Collegiate Black Deaf Student Leadership Institute
Election Committee
Interpreter Liaison and Coordinator
Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES)
Women’s Development Foundation
Exploratory committees are being established for:
CODA Section, LGBTQ Section, Parents Section, Public Policy

Sheryl Emery
NBDA President