Ernest: When did you first hear of NBDA, Inc. and what inspired you to become involved?

Benro: The first time I heard of NBDA was when I was a freshman in college. After conferred a high school diploma, I reported to a summer football camp at Gallaudet University a few weeks later. At the very same time, the NBDA conference took place in Washington, DC, mainly at the campus of Gallaudet University. I encountered many positive deaf African-Americans, especially the Youth Empowerment Summit (YES) students that first took place in the same year. I was able to socialize with the people of NBDA and understood the NBDA's mission and vision. From there, I engineered myself to become involved with NBDA. What best inspired me to become involved with NBDA is the fight for social equality and equal opportunities not only for myself but also for other deaf African-Americans and deaf minorities in general.

Ernest: Can you share with us about your involvement with NBDA at both the local and national levels?

Benro: The first time I became involved with BDA was when I joined the Mr. DCABDA (DC Area Black Deaf Advocates) competition in Washington DC when I was a sophomore at Gallaudet University. The same year, I initially became involved with NBDA as a Peer Advisor for the Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.) during the NBDA Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1998. In 2000, I was one of the two students appointed by the Student Body Government of Gallaudet University to attend the NBDA Conference in Houston, TX as delegates. In 2002, I was a co-Mister of Ceremonies for the Miss Black Deaf America Pageant in Detroit, MI. In the summer of 2006, I was one of the committee members planning the first Midwestern Regional BDA Conference that took place in Chicago, IL as a Public Relations Coordinator. I solicited corporate sponsors for the conference in exchange for advertising their business, which resulted in thousand of dollars. In that same year, I voluntarily provided the workshop presentation for the first Southern Regional BDA Conference held in Atlanta, GA entitled “ADA in the Workplace, Your Rights as a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employee.” I have received numerous awards for my commitment and contributions with the local BDA chapter as a valuable member, Chicago Land Black Deaf Advocates (CLBDA) that led me to become Vice President where I am currently serving until September of 2007 when I will resign to assume the role as the Vice President of NBDA effective October 2007.

Ernest: Why did you decide to run for Vice President of NBDA?

Benro: Someone nominated me to run for Vice-President and I accepted the privileged of such an honor to represent the nationwide organization of deaf African-Americans. Although I planned to run as a NBDA officer later, the time came much sooner than I had expected. However, after I gave a long consideration, I was confident that it was the right time for me to run and serve as the Vice President of NBDA. While I give recognition and utmost respect to the people who worked hard to maintain NBDA for 25 long years including Linwood Smith, Dr. Glenn Anderson, Ernest Hairston, Lottie Cook, Al Couthen, Chuck Williams and other notable names, I think it's time for young people to get themselves involved and lead NBDA to the next 25 years. Being the youngest officer of NBDA, I hope to be a leader by example for young people.

Ernest: What plans do you have for executing your role as NBDA Vice President over the next two years? How do you plan to balance your responsibilities as NBDA Vice President with your other personal and professional responsibilities?

Benro: The role of Vice President for the NBDA is a huge responsibility, particularly because I am serving for the nationwide organization of deaf African-Americans. While attending meetings and conducting parliamentary roles are common, there are plans I consider to execute as Vice President of NBDA that may include working with local chapters to form stronger relationship with NBDA, giving presentations to young African-Americans about NBDA's mission and purpose, and developing new programs/ideas that may benefit existing members and attract potential members.

As for balancing my responsibilities, I believe that having time management and commitment are essential for me to carry out my duties as NBDA Vice President and my other obligations such as a full-time job, graduate student, commissioner for Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and board member for an interpreter agency in Chicago. I must commit to facing the challenges in the next two years as Vice President of NBDA. One of my favorite quotes from Muhammad Ali is "It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself."

Ernest: What do you believe are the most important issues that NBDA should focus on and why?

Benro: I think there are the three critical issues NBDA should focus on based on my experience and the feedback I received from the members. I think the first priority for NBDA to focus on is the educational opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing African-Americans of all ages. The K-12 education for deaf African-American youth is not great, especially lack of preparation for them for college, careers, and future aspirations. Consider the fact that being Deaf and African-American is a double minority in the eyes of society; the opportunities in education, economic, employment, and other common benefits are not always in equal favor for the deaf African-Americans.

The second critical issue I think NBDA should focus on is outreaching young people to become involved with the NBDA consistently. The fact that almost 10 years ago after I served as a Peer Advisor for the YES program at age 20, I am one of the very few young members being consistently involved with NBDA on both the local and national level for a decade. We have to establish this type of commitment in order for NBDA to stay strong in the future.

Young people are the key asset to the future of NBDA.

Finally, the third important issue is to improve NBDA membership benefits more than just the discount rate for NBDA events and newsletter. I think NBDA should consider new ways to improve membership benefits -- one of the things that may be considered is a new system to disseminate important information to members nationwide in electronic format.

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