Programs Designed to Empower and Educate
Good afternoon, Everyone!I am so pleased to be here today! It is wonderful to see everyone celebrating the 43rd Anniversary of NYCBDA. Forty-three years — wow! Can you imagine that we are still here and still growing strong?My name is Dorothy Brand. I have been an active member of NYCBDA for many years, and I never imagined it would be possible to belong to this unique Black Deaf professional organization for so long.I grew up as an only child, and I became deaf at the age of 2 due to meningitis. I attended Lexington School for the Deaf, starting at age 3 and graduating at 18 from the old school in Manhattan on Lexington Avenue. That is how the school got its name before it later moved to Queens, New York. While attending school, I got my first job as a typist, working evenings after school before graduation.I am now retired from Wiley, where I worked as a royalty clerk. I have been retired for 18 years, and I am never bored — I truly love it.I became a member of NYCBDA almost 40 years ago, when Patricia Bailey gathered a group of people together to found the organization in 1983.
Happy 43rd Anniversary!
The story of NYCBDA begins with a movement. In 1980, a small group of Black Deaf individuals in Washington, D.C. gathered to raise concerns about the systemic barriers preventing Black Deaf people from reaching their full potential — and about the absence of meaningful leadership in the Black Deaf community nationwide.
At the 1980 National Association of the Deaf (NAD) 100th anniversary convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, a Black Deaf Caucus was formed. Members of the Caucus challenged the NAD’s failure to address the concerns of the Black Deaf community and the lack of Black representation among delegates.
On June 25–26, 1981, the first Black Deaf Conference — titled “Black Deaf Experience” — was held at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Nearly 100 Black Deaf people attended, making it a landmark moment in Black Deaf history.
In 1982, the National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) was formally founded. The following year, in 1983, the New York City Black Deaf Advocates was established as Chapter #4 of the NBDA — one of the original founding chapters of the national organization. NYCBDA has been serving the Black Deaf community of New York City ever since.
To empower and uplift Black Deaf individuals through advocacy, education, and leadership development — promoting equal access, social justice, and cultural affirmation while advocating for the rights and well-being of the Black Deaf community in New York City.
New York City where Black Deaf individuals have full and equal access to opportunities, resources, and community — and where their voices lead.
NYCBDA was founded by a dedicated group of Black Deaf New Yorkers whose vision, courage, and commitment laid the foundation for over four decades of service:
We honor the vision, leadership, and dedication of the founders of New York City Black Deaf Advocates (NYCBDA). Their courage and commitment built the foundation for advocacy, empowerment, and equity for the Black Deaf community in New York City.
Their legacy continues to inspire our mission and strengthen our community.
