There is a serious crisis in Deaf leadership—and it’s not just about race.
While the Deaf community is making visible progress in ethnic diversity (more BIPOC Deaf leaders are stepping up!), we are failing to address a deeper structural issue: Our leadership is a monoculture. It is overwhelmingly drawn from the ‘Big-D’ Deaf elite with strong residential school/Deaf-family backgrounds.
This homogeneity makes our leadership fragile and less accountable to the full spectrum of the community, from Late-Deafened adults and CODAs to NERDAs and Oral signers. This "Vested Interest" prevents critical action on dire issues, such as the failing U.S. school system and the urgent need to incentivize districts to utilize Deaf (ASL) schools.
In this video, we draw a parallel between cultural diversity and biodiversity: A forest with a single type of tree is highly vulnerable; a diverse forest is resilient.
We are calling for a new era: ASL Leadership.
Learn why we must intentionally cultivate leaders who reflect the full Deaf experience, commit to ASL fluency, and break the cultural mold. It's the only way to safeguard our future.

#DeafLeadership #BioculturalDiversity #ASL #DeafCommunity #EducationReform #RaymondMerritt #NAD #Gallaudet #GallaudetUniversity #WFD