2023 National Deaf People of Color Conference Mission & Vision Statements
Mission Statement
The mission of the 2023 National Deaf People of Color Conference is to provide a safe space for Black, Hispanic/Latinx/o/a/e, Indigenous, Asian, and other ethnicities (BIPOC) Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals and allies of all backgrounds to engage in a variety of leadership, professional development, networking, and fellowship opportunities.
Play Video
The video used in this presentation was recorded in 2007 and provides information about the National Deaf People of Color Conference.
Conference Objectives
Determine
Determine the underlying problems in the BIPOC Deaf community that need to unpack.
1Preserve
Preserve history, culture, and heritage language through a multicultural lens.
4Discuss
Discuss strategies for strengthening the support system for BIPOC multicultural communities.
2Collaborate
Collaborate with BIPOC organizations, schools, and multicultural communities.
5Develop
Develop BIPOC Deaf support systems in a variety of areas that affect our daily lives.
3Thrive
Thrive in leadership opportunities and challenges for BIPOC Deaf individuals.
6Team Committees
Dr. Laurene Simms
Executive Committee & Presenter
Dr. Laurene Simms
Executive Committee & Presenter
Laurene E. Simms is Chief Bilingual Officer at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. After graduating from the Indiana School for the Deaf, Indianapolis, Indiana, she received a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and an M.Ed. in Deaf Education from Western Maryland College, Westminster, Maryland. She received a Ph.D. Degree in Language, Reading, and Culture from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. She has been a Professor in the Department of Education at Gallaudet University for twenty years.
Candace Jones
Executive Committee
Candace Jones
Executive Committee
She has over 15 years of experience working in the Deaf, BIPOC Deaf, and Deaf with Disabilities educational communities. She has worked as an educator, motivational speaker, advocate, and change agent. Candace is in charge of the Heritage Sign Languages Center (HSLC) at Gallaudet University, which launched on March 17, 2022. Candace's main goal for the HSLC is to provide multicultural education and to assist others in learning about different cultures in varied environments. Environments such as schools, training sessions, conferences, workshops, family services, and community events. Her belief is that all human beings from all walks of life have an equal right to thrive as an individual.
Claudia Giordano
Executive Committee & Presenter
Claudia Giordano
Executive Committee & Presenter
A Biracial Deaf Woman with five years of experience as a National Deaf Education Conference coordinator and deaf educator. She is currently employed as an Associate Family Resources Coordinator for the Family Resources program at HSLC, which is part of Gallaudet University. She has a Master’s degree in Early Language Advocacy. Claudia grew up in a hearing family and had the privilege of communication access at home. She wants to ensure that all deaf children either from Deaf or Hearing families have the same privilege.
Andy Tao
Social Media & Public Relation
Andy Tao
Social Media & Public Relation
A passion for organized, creative projects led Andy to his Ph.D. studies which then inspired his entrepreneurial Blue20 journey. His thesis focused on health disparities among the deaf and hard of hearing populations. Blue20 was created with the vision to not only make digital media more accessible and inclusive to the deaf community, but to everyone.
Michelle Weaver-Fudge
Workshop Coordinator
Michelle Weaver-Fudge
Workshop Coordinator
A Black Deaf Jamaican, is a 23-year veteran of the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf's high school classroom. She graduated from Jacksonville State University with a bachelor's degree in Deaf Education. "In order to teach successfully, teachers must realize that students need us to be willing to understand them as a whole," she says regarding teaching.
Wanda Hoshina
Budget Coordinator
Wanda Hoshina
Budget Coordinator
A proud wife and a mom of three Deaf Biracial children, an alumnus of Gallaudet University, Class of 2001. I now work as Administrative Assistant for Chief of Bilingual Officer, going into second year. I was born and raised in Canada but now I am a proud United States citizen as well. I was born with the privilege of deaf family, and we are 3rd generation.
Delia Lozano
Registration Coordinator
Delia Lozano
Registration Coordinator
A Latina Deaf teacher at Florida School for the Deaf, is now teaching pre-kindergarten. She obtained a BA in Early Childhood Education and a Master's in Public Administration from Gallaudet University. She has a total of 16 years of teaching experience. Delia is a firm believer in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Nkiruka Akunwafo
Volunteer Co-Coordinator
Nkiruka Akunwafo
Volunteer Co-Coordinator
As the second-born child of Nigerian immigrants born in DC and raised in MD, Nkiruka is a proud Kendall Green alumni. She is the Prevention Education Coordinator for the Gallaudet University Health and Wellness Programs. She currently has her Master's in Public Administration and will be completing her second Master's in International Development in December 2023. Nkiruka loves spending time with her child, traveling, reading, and being in/on the water.
Elvia Guillermo Aguilar
Art Exhibition Co-Coordinator
Elvia Guillermo Aguilar
Art Exhibition Co-Coordinator
She moved to Washington, D.C. from Mexico in 1999 to get a better education and life. She is a manager for Intercultural Alliances within the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEDI). She is responsible for providing conceptual and administrative leadership in the development, implementation, and maintenance of Division-wide efforts designed to strengthen intercultural competency, cross-cultural communication, restorative practices, and overall community belonging. She also provides presentations, workshops and training on topics of diversity and social justice. In my spare time, she enjoys reading, painting, watching movies, kayaking, hiking, and biking to explore the beautiful DC community. She also likes going to restaurants and spending time with my friends and enjoys a good conversation.
Leticia Arellano
Art Exhibition Co-Coordinator
Leticia Arellano
Art Exhibition Co-Coordinator
Leticia Arellano was born into the language of Lengua de Señas Mexicana while growing up in Ciudad de Juárez, Mexico. She enjoys learning new things especially centered around the many colorful, cultural, and indigenous art of each country over the world. Traveling and collecting deaf artworks are one of her greatest passions. Art exhibitions educate and inspire everyone in many ways. Muchas Gracias a mis padres for their sacrifices and amor.
Julia Wallace
Youth Program Coordinator
Julia Wallace
Youth Program Coordinator
Julia Wallace is a Residential Educator and Jr. BDA sponsor at Model Secondary School for the Deaf. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Gallaudet University and has been on the board of directors for DC Area Black Deaf Advocates for the past eight years. Julia enjoys traveling and spending time with her four grandchildren.
Tricia Wenda Alleyne
CEUs Coordinator
Tricia Wenda Alleyne
CEUs Coordinator
Tricia Wende Allenye, a native of Barbados West Indies, has found her home in New Jersey. She cherishes her family as a proud mother of three sons and a loving Glamma to two beautiful granddaughters. Tricia holds a BS degree from MSSD and Gallaudet University and a master's degree in human services specializing in Social and Community Services from Capella University. Currently, Tricia serves as the Diversity Equity Inclusion Coordinator at CSDR, where she is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and equality.
Moní Brown
Gala Coordinator
Moní Brown
Gala Coordinator
Moni’ Brown, a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, holds a degree in Deaf Studies. After discovering her identity and sense of belonging within the Black Deaf Community, she decided to continue her journey in the Deaf world. Moni’ is currently pursuing her Masters of Sign Language Education at Gallaudet University, set to complete in 2024. She serves as an American Sign Language (ASL) instructor at Millennium High School in Tracy, California. Moni’ actively engages with the BIPOC deaf community through leadership, mentoring, and advocacy.
John Hathaway
Project Manager
John Hathaway
Project Manager
With a Master of Science in Project Management with a concentration in Leadership from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from Gallaudet University, John embraces his unique perspective and strives for excellence in his professional endeavors. As a passionate Deaf queer male, he actively engages in conversations and advocates for the deaf community on important topics and issues.
Dorian Fletcher
Volunteer Co-Coordinator
Dorian Fletcher
Volunteer Co-Coordinator
Dorian is a former Eastern Regional Representative (2018-2021) and current DCABDA Treasurer, demonstrating strong leadership in the Deaf Community of Maryland, Virginia, and DC. With a history of serving in various organizations, he has been dedicated to making the DC Deaf Community a better organization through creativity, encouragement, and active involvement. He has held significant roles, including President of District of Columbia Area Black Deaf Advocates (DCABDA), President and Vice President of DC Association of the Deaf, and board member of Deaf Reach Inc. Additionally, he has been involved in youth empowerment initiatives, coordinating workshops and sending youth to conferences. His leadership journey began as the President of the Jamaica Deaf Club and continued during his time as President of the Black Deaf Student Union at Gallaudet University. He serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the National Deaf People of Color Conference and Stage Manager for the play "A Raisin in the Sun" at the Atlas Theater.
Bilal Chinoy
Webmaster
Bilal Chinoy
Webmaster
Bilal Chinoy is the Creative Director at Gallaudet University's University Communications, shaping the global brand and promoting the university's stories through captivating visuals. With a passion for adventure and chai, he finds inspiration in biking, trekking, running, and traveling. Co-founding Young Achievers and ISL Connect, Bilal is dedicated to bridging the education-employability gap for Deaf youth in India. Through his creative pursuits and tireless efforts, he empowers the Deaf community and serves as an inspiration to colleagues and change-makers worldwide.
Scott DeLoach
Ticket Coordinator
Scott DeLoach
Ticket Coordinator
Scott DeLoach is the Software Engineer Manager with the Office of the Chief Bilingual Officer, overseeing the development of various innovative bilingual software solutions. Scott implemented and managed the NDPC registration system to ensure a successful outcome for the NDPC conference.
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REACH US Get Direction to the Conference Hall
Where
When
Where
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Ave NE,
Washington, DC 20002
Contact Us
NDPC Conference Team
ndpc@gallaudet.edu
Quick Links
When
July 17–22, 2023
July 17–22 – Conference
July 22 – Gala
Contact Us
NDPC Conference Team
ndpc@gallaudet.edu