Who We Are

Our Story

Our story starts at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). As a Deaf Studies faculty member, Dr. Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton, our founder, wondered where are the Black Deaf and Black signing hearing students? Where is the Black-centric curriculum in Deaf Studies and Deaf education? In collaboration with students, she began organizing community and campus-wide events that supported, educated, and worked with Black Deaf communities. The first event in 2016 was the Justice Can’t Wait: Deaf People of Color Seeking Change Through the Arts, a two-week Deaf BIPOC art festival with an art exhibit, ASL Afro-Cuban dance classes, ASL Poetry, films, and community viewings. Over the years, there were many Black Deaf History workshops to educate, hold space, and honor Black Deaf elders, scholars, artists, athletes, and international Black Deaf community members. The relationships formed over the years make up the core of who we are today.

In 2018, Black Deaf and signing hearing student enrollment and retention numbers were dropping at CSUN, and students often felt isolated and challenged by being one of the few Black students in their classes. This led to the creation of the Black Signers Meet Ups. The Meet Ups were created to welcome all Black Deaf and Black signing hearing students, alums, and community members to social gatherings at local restaurants to build community and support for one another. This support is still seen with and for our Deaf community partners today.

CSUN Black Signers Club 2022

In 2019, Dr. Ramirez-Stapleton and Black Deaf and hearing students worked with CSUN’s Admission Office and their Harambee Program, a Black student college recruitment event to find ways to bring more Black Deaf high school students to campus. This initiative directly responded to the data published by the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Education that only 11% of Black Deaf Californian students graduated with a bachelor’s degree. To impact Black Deaf high school students’ exposure to college, they were invited, for the first time, to participate in the main program, and we planned additional events such as a Black Deaf student alum panel, a workshop on Deaf student support and admissions, and a social event with current students. Uplifting and providing educational opportunities to our Black Deaf youth is still essential to our work today.

Throughout the years, students and community members nationwide have reached out to attend virtual programs and requested to participate in Black Deaf experiences at CSUN. Due to university policies, many nonCSUN students were not allowed to attend; thus, we needed to expand beyond the college campus. When engaging with Black Deaf youth, several would ask questions about Black Deaf culture and history; thus, we needed to create more Black Deaf-centric educational materials and curricula. The racial uprising of 2020 and the need to hold space for all Black perspectives and lived experiences in accessible ways was dire; thus, we needed a new platform. Our organization was officially founded in April 2023 as a 501c (3) nonprofit, and the dream of serving more, reaching farther, and making a more significant difference in creating equitable education was realized. We have many community partners, continue to honor and center Black Deaf lives, and are grounded in collective liberation.

Meet the Team

Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton, Ph.D.

(She/Her/ Hearing)

Executive Director

Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton is a highly qualified educator, author, and founder of The Black Deaf Project. She's a passionate advocate for equity, access, and identity development, with a focus on Black Deaf communities. Lissa holds a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis on Higher Education and Social Justice. She has worked extensively with Deaf College Students of Color and is actively involved with the Southern California Black Deaf Advocates organization. Lissa currently serves as an Associate Professor in Student Affairs at California State University, Fullerton, and resides in Southern California with her wife, Marcela Ramirez-Stapleton, and their daughter Kalia. Learn more on her personal website.

Moni' Brown

(She/Hers/Hard of Hearing)

Moni', a resilient figure from Oakland and Vallejo, California, is an ASL Professor and single mother of three. She holds a B.A. in Deaf Studies and an M.A. in Sign Language Education. Beyond teaching, she supports Black Deaf communities, and black single mothers, and promotes mental health awareness. Moni' serves as California Educator of the Deaf, Director of Equality and Inclusion, and Western Black Deaf Advocates Regional Representative, fostering unity and breaking stereotypes.

Odun Akintomide

(He/Him/Deaf)

Odun is an elementary teacher at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont. He enjoys working with and is fascinated by the language development of Deaf children. Odun is passionate about representation and inclusive education, he has organized impactful cultural events and contributed to ASL literature Odun is committed to fostering safe, creative spaces where Deaf students can thrive academically and culturally.

Jimel Brightly

(He/Him/Deaf)

Jimel was born in Saint Ann, Jamaica and raised in Illinois. He works as a teacher at CSDF. He has been involved with community advocacy particularly focused on gender based violence toward women. His experience with deaf youth consists of serving as Camp Director for Youth Leadership Camp (YLC) from 2018 - 2023. Jimel is passionate about the work he does with the deaf youth and aspires to bring community awareness and be a positive influence.

Flo Ashlee’ McHenry

(She/Her/ Hearing)

Chair of the Board

Flo Ashlee' McHenry, a renowned American Sign Language Interpreter with impressive academic credentials, holding an M.A. in Higher Educational Leadership and a B.A. in Deaf Studies. Her research centers on the intersectionality of Deaf people of color, particularly within Black Deaf communities, and their access to higher education. McHenry's work is both inspiring and vital. Her expertise in American Sign Language interpretation, coupled with her leadership role, offers unique insights. Her commitment to improving access and equity in education for marginalized communities, including her focus on the challenges faced by Black Deaf individuals, demonstrates her dedication to driving positive change in this critical field.

Jaleesa Herrington

(She/Her/ Deaf)

Treasurer

Jaleesa Herrington is a dedicated higher education professional, currently serving as Program Manager for Student Involvement and Leadership at the University of Michigan-Flint. With her M.A. in Higher Education Leadership and BA in Deaf Studies, Jaleesa is committed to promoting student success and inspiring others to achieve their goals. She is a hard worker who takes pride in her work and strives to make a lasting impact on higher education. With her expertise in student involvement and leadership, Jaleesa is a valuable asset to the University of Michigan-Flint and the higher education community.

7DBC96B1-4563-43E8-B3F1-C40A9D477A5D_1_2

Shana Gibbs

(She/Her/Deaf)

Secretary

Shana Gibbs is an accomplished advocate for education and inclusivity.Shana holds a Master's degree in Deaf Education and Educational
Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Boston University. She taught in Interpreting Training Programs at several universities, including Northeastern University, University of Southern Maine, University of North Florida, and Framingham State University. Currently, Shana is involved with Outdoor Afro as a Volunteer Outdoor Leader. Shana enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time outdoors on her family's homestead in Upstate NY.

Our Incredible Interns

Ny’kel Best

(She/Her/Deaf)

Ny'kel is a student at Gallaudet University majoring in Social Work with a minor in Communication Studies. She aspires to lift up the community, advocate for Deaf BIPOC youth, and become a leader. She hopes to have an impact on others by making them feel motivated and contributing to the community. One interesting fact about Ny'kel is that she is the first Black Deaf queer woman to receive an award from Mt.San Antonio College. The award recognized women who have advocated for equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Nisha Joseph

(She/Her/Hearing)

Nisha is a student at California State University Los Angeles majoring in Psychology & Child Development. She aspires to become fluent in American Sign Language, and become an interpreter in education. She hope to also learn more about ways to address mental health concerns. One interesting fact about Nisha is that she does not consume pork or edible products with pork tracings.

Raynisha Jackson

(She/Her/Deaf)

Raynisha is a student at California State University Northridge majoring in Business Administration Management. She aspires to open her own center for those with disabilities to obtain employment with the help of inclusive support services. She also wants to branch out and become more involved with the homeless community and help where she can. One interesting fact about Raynisha is that she is a gamer across multiple gaming platforms.

Autumn Dickson

(She/Her/Hearing)

Autumn graduated from California State University Northridge in the spring of 2024 where she majored in Deaf Studies. She aspires to be an interpreter for the DeafBlind community. She wants to help the DeafBlind community within health care. She also wants to learn braille. One interesting fact about Autumn is she was born at 6 months weighing 1 pound and is number 6 out of 9 children in her family.

Taylor Taylor

(She/Her/Hearing)

Taylor is a student at California State University Northridge majoring in Deaf Studies. She aspires to become an interpreter and uplift Deaf voices because they deserve to be heard as well. One interesting fact about Taylor is she likes to bling and customize shoes in her free time.

Guadalupe Ramos

(She /Her/Deaf)

Guadalupe is a student at California State University San Bernardino majoring in Social Services. She aspires to advocate for equal communication access for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities, ensuring everyone, especially in healthcare and education, have the resources they need. One of her proudest achievements was advocating for

Disability Support Services at Moreno Valley College, which provide crucial accommodations to help herefw succeed in the classroom. An interesting fact about Guadalupe is she loves painting, particularly in workshops where she can create beautiful canvases despite communication challenges.

Coco Thomas

(She /Her/Hearing)

Coco graduated from CSUN and will be attending El Camino College in the fall 2024 majoring in American Sign Language Interpreting. She wants to become an interpreter for the entertainment industry. She also wants to become an interpreter that specifically serves the Black Deaf Community. Interesting facts about Coco is that she has a knack for photography and pottery and was a student athlete growing up with volleyball being her best sport.

Join the Intern Crew

Black Deaf Project Intern role is an academic-year (September-May) internship for Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, Deaf +, late deafened or signing hearing Students of Color enrolled in higher education (e.g.,university, community college and/or trade school). We are open to students from various majors, including but not limited to Deaf Studies, Education, Liberal Studies, Black Studies, Ethnic Studies, Business, and Marketing. BDP’s internship program is designed to provide behind the scenes non-profit experience, an opportunity to engage and work with the Deaf community, and educational training for students interested in supporting/promoting the BDP’s mission.

Eligibility

A candidate must be either an undergraduate or graduate student, or have graduated from college within 6 months of beginning the internship.
Committed to attending virtual trainings, events, meetings, and retreats,
Must commit to working a full academic year (Sept-May).
The position is open to students from any state.
We accept new applications in April for the following year.

Interested? Let's Connect

Who We Are

Our Story

Meet the Team

Our Incredible Interns

Join the Intern Crew

Eligibility

Quarterly Newsletter