Meet the Team

Behind the 31st NBDA Conference

  • A Black man wearing glasses and a black shirt with white stripes, with a neutral facial expression.

    Hugh Woodson

    Conference Co Chair

    ID: A Black man wearing glasses and a black shirt with white stripes, with a neutral facial expression.

  • A Black woman with short curly hair, wearing large orange earrings and a colorful top, smiling confidently.

    April Jackson-Woodard

    Conference Co Chair

    ID: A Black woman with short curly hair, wearing large orange earrings and a colorful top, smiling confidently.

  • A Black woman with straight shoulder-length hair, wearing glasses and a textured black top, smiling gently.

    Martina Moore-Reid

    Conference Treasurer

    ID: A Black woman with straight shoulder-length hair, wearing glasses and a textured black top, smiling gently.

  • Black man with a bald head, wearing a dark collared shirt, smiling warmly.

    Donald Tinsley

    Registration Committee

    ID: Black man with a bald head, wearing a dark collared shirt, smiling warmly.

  • A light-skinned woman with long curly hair, wearing black glasses and a black shirt, smiling.

    Marissa Babineaux

    Workshop Coordinator

    ID: A light-skinned woman with long curly hair, wearing black glasses and a black shirt, smiling.

  • A Black woman with black braided hair styled in a high bun, bold red lipstick, dramatic lashes, and wearing a black top, smiling brightly.

    Cookie Jackson

    Exhibition Coordinator

    ID: A Black woman with black braided hair styled in a high bun, bold red lipstick, dramatic lashes, and wearing a black/white top, smiling brightly.

  • Tiara Mason

    Hospitality Committee

    ID: A Black woman with short curly hair, wearing gold earrings, a black leather jacket, and showing a playful expression with ‘peace‘ fingers slightly raised.

  • A Black man wearing a flat grey cap, sunglasses, a white button-up shirt with colorful stripes, and a wide smile.

    Hunta Williams

    Accessibility / Accommodation Coordinator

    ID: A Black man wearing a flat grey cap, sunglasses, a white button-up shirt with colorful stripes, and a wide smile.

  • A Black woman with long, wavy dark hair, soft makeup, and wearing a sheer black patterned top, smiling warmly.

    Donesha Barnes

    Banquet Coordinator

    ID: A Black woman with long, wavy dark hair, soft makeup, and wearing a sheer black patterned top, smiling warmly.

  • A Black woman with medium long black straight hair, wearing a black-and-white striped blouse and a soft smile, calm expression.

    KRYSTAL STARKS

    Creative Service Coordinator

    ID: A Black woman with medium long black straight hair, wearing a black-and-white striped blouse and a soft smile, calm expression.

  • William Babineaux

    Interpreter Coordinator

    ID: Creole man with short black hair and a salt-and-peper beard, wearing a gold-blended tie over a gold long-sleeved button-down dress shirt, smiling radiantly.

The NBDA Conference Committees are thrilled to bring you an unforgettable experience as we prepare for the 31st NBDA National Conference! We have been working tirelessly to make this event happen, and we can't wait to welcome you to Kansas City Marriott Downtown (200 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105) from Wednesday, August 13, 2025, through Saturday, August 16, 2025.

This conference is a celebration of the Black Deaf community, a space where we connect, learn, and grow together.

We invite everyone to join us—Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, hearing, educators, professionals, federal employees, veterans, senior citizens, parents, activists, CODAs, students, recent graduates, service providers, interpreters, allies, and more.

From inspiring speakers to empowering workshops and networking opportunities, the 31st NBDA Conference is where we uplift, unite, and amplify our community.