PLENARY: Narratives and Dialogues
Day: Saturday
Time: 4pm - 6pm EDT
Presenter(s): Amy Gomme, Stephanie Hakulin, Melissa Draganac-Hawk, and Panel: Reginald 'Reggie' Bess, Evon Black, Benro Oguniype, and Nicholas Lalanne
Abstract:
Join this no-holds barred plenary session to learn about the Black Deaf experience and the unpacking work that must be done by the Deaf Community and Deaf Organizations. There are two parts to this plenary:
During the first part, Black Deaf narrators will share stories of what Black Deaf people have experienced in different parts of life including education, employment, law enforcement, courts, restaurants, non-profit organizations and the Deaf Community. Before there can be progress within the Deaf Community, everyone must learn about the Deaf Black experience and recognize the inequity and oppression that require dismantling.
The second part will focus on the importance of unpacking and recognizing the privileges that non-profit organizations and their leaders and members need to do. Several members of the NAD Board will discuss some of the internal work that we have done to understand and address our individual and collective attitudes and experiences with respect to racism.
These narratives and dialogues are central to the work that must be done to provide equality and equity within the Deaf Community, especially for Black, Indigenous and People of Color who are deaf.
Day: Saturday
Time: 4pm - 6pm EDT
Presenter(s): Amy Gomme, Stephanie Hakulin, Melissa Draganac-Hawk, and Panel: Reginald 'Reggie' Bess, Evon Black, Benro Oguniype, and Nicholas Lalanne
Abstract:
Join this no-holds barred plenary session to learn about the Black Deaf experience and the unpacking work that must be done by the Deaf Community and Deaf Organizations. There are two parts to this plenary:
During the first part, Black Deaf narrators will share stories of what Black Deaf people have experienced in different parts of life including education, employment, law enforcement, courts, restaurants, non-profit organizations and the Deaf Community. Before there can be progress within the Deaf Community, everyone must learn about the Deaf Black experience and recognize the inequity and oppression that require dismantling.
The second part will focus on the importance of unpacking and recognizing the privileges that non-profit organizations and their leaders and members need to do. Several members of the NAD Board will discuss some of the internal work that we have done to understand and address our individual and collective attitudes and experiences with respect to racism.
These narratives and dialogues are central to the work that must be done to provide equality and equity within the Deaf Community, especially for Black, Indigenous and People of Color who are deaf.
Presenter(s) Information
AmyGomme
Amy is a native deaf New Mexican who was born and raised in the rural region of Northern New Mexico. She comes from a deaf family with several extended deaf family members. Her family resides in New Mexico and Arizona area and has been in that area for generations. She is a graduate of the New Mexico School for the Deaf and the Rochester Institute of Technology. Amy currently works as the Vocational Program Director at the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf. She serves as a board member for three community organizations which includes the New Mexico Association of the Deaf, the New Mexico Hispanic Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the New Mexico School for the Deaf Alumni Association. Amy is an avid sport fan, with goals of touching every sport stadium in the U.S.!
AmyGomme
Amy is a native deaf New Mexican who was born and raised in the rural region of Northern New Mexico. She comes from a deaf family with several extended deaf family members. Her family resides in New Mexico and Arizona area and has been in that area for generations. She is a graduate of the New Mexico School for the Deaf and the Rochester Institute of Technology. Amy currently works as the Vocational Program Director at the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf. She serves as a board member for three community organizations which includes the New Mexico Association of the Deaf, the New Mexico Hispanic Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the New Mexico School for the Deaf Alumni Association. Amy is an avid sport fan, with goals of touching every sport stadium in the U.S.!
Stephanie Hakulin
Stephanie is the present President of the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf (MSAD). She currently works as a Deaf Interpreter Staff at The Learning Center for the Deaf. She has been involved in advocacy organizations such as Deaf Women of Massachusetts (President), National Deaf People of Color Conference (Co-Chair), Conference of Interpreter Trainers ('Dismantling Racism' Committee Member), Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf (Advisory Board Member) and more. She has two lovely kids and loves sports!
Stephanie Hakulin
Stephanie is the present President of the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf (MSAD). She currently works as a Deaf Interpreter Staff at The Learning Center for the Deaf. She has been involved in advocacy organizations such as Deaf Women of Massachusetts (President), National Deaf People of Color Conference (Co-Chair), Conference of Interpreter Trainers ('Dismantling Racism' Committee Member), Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf (Advisory Board Member) and more. She has two lovely kids and loves sports!
Melissa Draganac-Hawk
Melissa (Pennsylvania), a first-generation American of deaf immigrant Peruvians, received her Master's degree in Linguistics and dual Bachelors in American Sign Language and Theater Production & Performance from Gallaudet University. Currently, she is the Director of Student Affairs at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Engaged in the deaf community, Melissa was the president of the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing (now renamed Council de Manos) and the Executive Director of Deaf Women United. Melissa has been involved with the NAD throughout her life in various capacities: as a youth, she participated in the Junior NAD and Youth Leadership Camp; as an adult, she directed the Miss Deaf America finals in 2002 and 2008. She has been a NAD member since 1988, focusing on issues affecting youth and diversity.
Melissa Draganac-Hawk
Melissa (Pennsylvania), a first-generation American of deaf immigrant Peruvians, received her Master's degree in Linguistics and dual Bachelors in American Sign Language and Theater Production & Performance from Gallaudet University. Currently, she is the Director of Student Affairs at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Engaged in the deaf community, Melissa was the president of the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing (now renamed Council de Manos) and the Executive Director of Deaf Women United. Melissa has been involved with the NAD throughout her life in various capacities: as a youth, she participated in the Junior NAD and Youth Leadership Camp; as an adult, she directed the Miss Deaf America finals in 2002 and 2008. She has been a NAD member since 1988, focusing on issues affecting youth and diversity.
Reginald 'Reggie' Bess
Reggie Bess was born in Eastpoint, Georgia. He went to public schools from pre-K to twelfth grade. In 2001, he graduated from Clarkston High School. In 2006, he graduated from Clark Atlanta University (CAU) majored in accounting and mathematics. In 2014, he graduated from Valdosta State University (VSU) majored in Deaf Education. In 2018, he became highly qualified teacher at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf (AASD). Middle school mathematics and Deaf Education are the certificates he currently holds. He taught mathematics for several years. He was a behavioral specialist. Currently he is a doctoral student and a math/first year seminar instructor for undergraduate students at Gallaudet University (FALL 2021).
Reginald 'Reggie' Bess
Reggie Bess was born in Eastpoint, Georgia. He went to public schools from pre-K to twelfth grade. In 2001, he graduated from Clarkston High School. In 2006, he graduated from Clark Atlanta University (CAU) majored in accounting and mathematics. In 2014, he graduated from Valdosta State University (VSU) majored in Deaf Education. In 2018, he became highly qualified teacher at Atlanta Area School for the Deaf (AASD). Middle school mathematics and Deaf Education are the certificates he currently holds. He taught mathematics for several years. He was a behavioral specialist. Currently he is a doctoral student and a math/first year seminar instructor for undergraduate students at Gallaudet University (FALL 2021).
Evon Black
Evon Black
Nicholas Lalanne
Nicholas Lalanne attended Gallaudet University and received his Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. After that, he worked at colleges teaching American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. Here his passion for teaching began to blossom. He then studied a Master’s in Sign Language Education (MASLED) at Gallaudet University. During his graduate studies, Lalanne took courses such as Linguistics, Theories of Languages, and Teaching Methods. For Lalanne, his ASL students are like seeds planted in a garden. He nurtures them as they learn the language; water and sun are provided. As he teaches and students learn, they grow from tiny seeds and become beautiful flowers. They comprehend the language. That is what he enjoys.
Nicholas Lalanne
Nicholas Lalanne attended Gallaudet University and received his Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. After that, he worked at colleges teaching American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. Here his passion for teaching began to blossom. He then studied a Master’s in Sign Language Education (MASLED) at Gallaudet University. During his graduate studies, Lalanne took courses such as Linguistics, Theories of Languages, and Teaching Methods. For Lalanne, his ASL students are like seeds planted in a garden. He nurtures them as they learn the language; water and sun are provided. As he teaches and students learn, they grow from tiny seeds and become beautiful flowers. They comprehend the language. That is what he enjoys.
{Presenter Name 7 (First):34.3 Ogunyipe
Benro T. Ogunyipe is the Executive Director of the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission. Previously, he worked for 17 years with the Illinois Department of Human Services as Senior Accessibility Specialist, Reasonable Accommodation Specialist, and Investigator of the ADA/Section 504 Discrimination Complaints. He served for 6 years as president, vice president, and chair of the board of National Black Deaf Advocates, Inc. He is the author of Black Deaf Culture Through Lens of History, a short commentary on the history, culture, and education of Black Deaf People for the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP), supported by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2014 and again in 2016, U.S. President Barack Obama appointed Benro to the National Council on Disability. Benro was also appointed by three different Illinois governors to public bodies and was an appointed board member of the National Association of the Deaf. He is a seasoned guest lecturer at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Disability Studies and Columbia College Chicago’s Interpreter Training Program on Multicultural Issues. Benro received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree from DePaul University, School of Public Service.
{Presenter Name 7 (First):34.3 Ogunyipe
Benro T. Ogunyipe is the Executive Director of the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission. Previously, he worked for 17 years with the Illinois Department of Human Services as Senior Accessibility Specialist, Reasonable Accommodation Specialist, and Investigator of the ADA/Section 504 Discrimination Complaints. He served for 6 years as president, vice president, and chair of the board of National Black Deaf Advocates, Inc. He is the author of Black Deaf Culture Through Lens of History, a short commentary on the history, culture, and education of Black Deaf People for the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP), supported by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2014 and again in 2016, U.S. President Barack Obama appointed Benro to the National Council on Disability. Benro was also appointed by three different Illinois governors to public bodies and was an appointed board member of the National Association of the Deaf. He is a seasoned guest lecturer at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Disability Studies and Columbia College Chicago’s Interpreter Training Program on Multicultural Issues. Benro received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree from DePaul University, School of Public Service.