Black “Deaf” History Month
History of National Black Deaf Advocates
Notable Black Deaf Heroes & Sheroes
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Andrew Foster, Father of Deaf Education in Africa
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Linwood Smith, Pioneer of Mental Health Service for Deaf People
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Dr. Glenn B. Anderson, First Deaf African-American with Ph.D.
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Dr. Shirley Allen, First Deaf African-American Female with Ph.D.
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Roger D. O'Kelly, First Deaf African-American Lawyer
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Claudia Gordon, First Deaf Female African-American Lawyer
Notable Black Deaf Americans with Ph.D.s
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Dr. Glenn Anderson, New York University, 1982
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Dr. Ernest Hairston, Gallaudet University, 1994
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Dr. Reginald Redding, Gallaudet University 1995
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Dr. Laurene Simms, University of Arizona, 2000
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Dr. Angela McCaskill & Dr. Carolyn McCaskill (Deaf Sisters with Ph.D.s at Gallaudet University, 2004 & 2005 Respectively)
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Dr. Nathie Marbury, Lamar University, 2007
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Dr. Joseph Hill, Gallaudet University
Notable Black Deaf Artists & Performers
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Michelle Banks, Actress
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Evon Black, Comedian/Entertainer
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Kamau Buchanan, Filmmaker
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CJ Jones, Internationally Known Deaf Comedian
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Nathie Marbury, Comedian/Entertainer
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Darius McCall, Musician
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Joseph Sarpy, First Known Black Deaf Actor & First to Join the National Theatre of the Deaf
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Michael Spady, Actor
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Wawa Snipe, Entertainer
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Aarron Loggins, Musician
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Shawn Richardson, Cartoonist
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Antoine Hunter, Performer
Notable Black Deaf Americans in Professional Sports
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Kenny Walker, Football Player, Played in NFL 1991-1993
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Curtis Pride, Baseball Player, Played in MLB 1993-2006
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Kevin Hall, Current Professional Golfer
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Eugene “Silent” Hairston, Boxer, Boxed in 1950s
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Tamika Catchings, Women’s Basketball Player, Current Playing in WNBA
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Derrick Coleman, Current NFL Football Player (Seattle Seahawks)
Notable Former Schools for the Black Deaf
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The North Carolina State School for the Colored Deaf and Blind (1867)
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Maryland School for the Colored Blind and Deaf (1872)
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Georgia School for the Negro Deaf (1882)
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Alabama School for Negro Deaf and Blind (1891)
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Southern School for the Negro Deaf (Baton Rouge, LA - 1938)
Notable Books by & about Black Deaf
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“Black and Deaf in America, Are We That Different?”
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“Sounds Like Home: Growing Up Black and Deaf in the South”
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“Black Deaf Students: A Model for Educational Success”
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“Roar of Silence: Trial & Triumph Through Deaf”
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“Still I Rise: The Enduring Legacy of Black Deaf Arkansans Before & After Integration”
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"The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure"
Notable Black Deaf Americans at Gallaudet University
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Andrew Foster, First Black Deaf to Graduate from Gallaudet, 1954
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Ida Grey Hampton, First Black Deaf Female to Graduate from Gallaudet, 1957
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Dr. Ernest Hairston, First Black Deaf to Earn His Ph.D. from Gallaudet, 1994
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Darius McCall, First Black Deaf President of Student Body Government, 2002
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Angela McCaskill, First Black Deaf Female to Earn Her Ph.D. from Gallaudet, 2004
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Katie Brown, Former Member of Board of Trustees
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Charles V. Williams, Former Member of Board of Trustees
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Dr. Glenn B. Anderson, Former Member and Chair of Board of Trustees
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Pamela Lloyd-Ogoke, Member of Board of Trustees
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Claudia Gordon, Member of Board of Trustees
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Duane Halliburton, Member of Board of Trustees
Notable Black Deaf Authors
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Connie Briscoe
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Mary Herring Wright
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Dr. Glenn B. Anderson
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Dr. Ernest Hairston
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Dr. Carolyn McCaskill
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Linwood Smith
Notable History About NBDA
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The first NBDA Conference was held in Cleveland, OH in 1982
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South Carolina BDA became the first chapter with state name
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Virgin Islands BDA is the only chapter not located in USA mainland
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Tennessee was the first state to hold two BDA chapters
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NBDA has held conference outside USA twice. 1993 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and 1999 in Jamaica.
First Five Local BDA Chapters Established
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District of Columbia Area Black Deaf Advocates, 1981
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Cleveland Black Deaf Advocates, 1982
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Philadelphia Chapter of Black Deaf Advocates, 1982
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New York City Black Deaf Advocates, 1983
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Atlanta Black Deaf Advocates, 1984
Six Founding Members of NBDA
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Dr. Ernest Hairston
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Linwood Smith
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Charles Williams
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Ann Wilson
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Lottie Cook
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Willard Shorter