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2004 NBDA Conference
A Success in Philadelphia, The Place That Loves You Back
by Vikki Washington, with assistance from Claudia
Gordon, Jubil Khan, and Betty Henderson
 The
Philadelphia Chapter Black Deaf Advocates (PCBDA) hosted the National
Black Deaf Advocates' (NBDA) 21st Annual Conference from August
1-8, 2004 at the Doubletree Hotel, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As Betty M. Henderson, 2004 NBDA Conference Chair, wrote in the
Conference program book: "[The] Conference theme, 'Our Place
In Society: Looking Back, Moving Forward,' encourages us to remember
the lessons learned from our past, while launching us forward into
a future filled with promises." This was very fitting since
PCBDA also hosted the second annual NBDA Conference back in 1983!
There were over 450 registered participants, and this number does
not include the hotel lobby interaction. Volunteers greeted the
Conference participants with smiles and chocolate goodies to "sweeten"
the Philadelphia experience. Registrants received a tote bag, packed
with information about Philadelphia and a beautifully designed Conference
program book that elicited praises and compliments. The Conference
was filled with a variety of activities, including educational workshops,
a luncheon and workshop sessions for senior citizens (see story
on page 10), Miss Black Deaf America Pageant, as well as a formal
Banquet.
Y.E.S.
Tim Albert, Director of the Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.),
led a group of ten youths and two peer advisors. They enjoyed meeting
many black deaf and hard of hearing people at the Conference. One
youth learned, for the first time, that Vice President Claudia Gordon
is considered the first Black deaf female lawyer.
 In
addition to meeting and being inspired by countless role models
at the Conference, Y.E.S. participants went on field trips to places
such as Dorney Park, a local amusement park outside Philadelphia.
Since the experience of the Conference, these young people have
realized the importance of NBDA as part of their futures. On a side
note, after five years of service, Albert has stepped down as Y.E.S.
Director. Anyone who may be interested serving in this position,
please see page 26 in this issue.
All photos are courtesy of Thomas Samuels and Pamela Baldwin.
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