College & Youth
NBDA believes today’s youth are vital part of our future – especially Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing. NBDA’s college and youth programs prepare and provide tools for Black Deaf and hard of hearing youth and young adults with the leadership training/workshops, forum, seminar and educational activities to become future leaders. NBDA established two programs for youth and young adults: Collegiate Black Deaf Student Leadership Institute and Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S!).
Collegiate Black Deaf Student Leadership Institute
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.
Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S!)
Since 1997, Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.) offers one week educational leadership training and challenging activities for Black Deaf and hard of hearing youth from across the country. This program applies to youths between the ages of 13 to 17 from any mainstreamed, home schooled and deaf institutions. The objectives of the Y.E.S! are:
- To promote leadership development among Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing youths and young adults.
- To increase cultural self-esteem by exposure to Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing role models and
- To increase familiarity and knowledge about NBDA and contributions of Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- To promote excellence in their academic and career endeavors.
- To have a great time with peers from different states.
Y.E.S! leadership training is held biennially in conjunction with the NBDA National Conference. For application to participate in the Y.E.S! program, please contact youth@nbda.org .