NBDA Officers

• Ernest E. Garrett III-President
• Benro Ogunyipe-Vice President
• Sharon White-Secretary
• Vacancy-Treasurer

Ernest E. Garrett III President

Ex-Officio Member All Standing Committees Program & Committee Oversight NBDA Archives Program & Committee      Andrew Foster Sculpture & Cultural         Recognition Project Interpreters/Transliterators     Color Committee Senior Citizens Program & Committee

Ernest E. Garrett III is a native of St. Louis, MO. He is a provisional licensed clinical social worker (PLCSW) and employed full-time with Special School District of St. Louis County as a School Social Worker with Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Ernest is also an adjunct faculty member at Southwestern Illinois College. Ernest received an Associate of Arts degree (general studies) and dual Bachelor of Arts degrees (professional/technical writing and history) from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He went on to earn an advanced academic degree in administration (M.S.) and an advanced professional degree in social work (M.S.W.) with a school social work specialization, both from Gallaudet University. He is currently pursuing a research doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in applied management and decision sciences from Walden University. His area of specialization is in leadership and organizational change.

Ernest has been a Member-at-Large of NBDA, Inc. since 2005. He served as an assistant to Cory Parker throughout his tenure as the organization’s national secretary, as well as "NBDA Connections" Newsletter Editor. He further served as Hospitality/Tours Coordinator during the 25th Anniversary NBDA Conference in St. Louis, MO and as Registration Coordinator during the 24th NBDA Conference in Scottsdale, AZ. In his spare time, Ernest likes to read, travel internationally, cook vegetarian dishes, exercise, and entertain friends and colleagues at his home in downtown St. Louis.

You can contact Ernest E. Garrett III at President@nbda.org.

Benro Ogunyipe Vice President

Chair, NBDA Board of Directors Program & Committee Oversight Bylaws Committee (Chair) Collegiate Black Deaf Student     Leadership Institute Media Advisory Committee (Chair)      Media      Public Relations      Newsletter Youth Empowerment Summit

Benro Ogunyipe was born in France and raised in Nigeria. Due to his hearing loss, he was immigrated to the United States for a better educational opportunity. He resides in Chicago’s south suburbs and is a member of the local chapter Chicagoland Black Deaf Advocates (CLBDA). Benro holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from Gallaudet University and a master’s degree in Master of Public Administration (MPA) from DePaul University. Currently, he is employed with the Illinois Department of Human Services as Accessibility Specialist. He is responsible for conducting site inspection for accessibility requirements and providing quality resources and accessible services to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act, ADA Amendments Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Benro has been actively involved with NBDA in both national and regional levels as well as local chapter for a decade with various roles such as Y.E.S. Peer Advisor, Student Delegate for Gallaudet University’s Student Body Government, Pageant & Banquet Mister of Ceremonies, Workshop Presenter & Coordinator, Keynote Speaker, Program Book Designer, Graphic Designer, Website Content Manager, and Public Relations Coordinator. Prior to elected as Vice President of NBDA during the 2007 NBDA Conference in St. Louis, MO, he served as Vice President and board member of the local chapter Chicagoland Black Deaf Advocates (CLBDA). He is in his second term as NBDA Vice President and Chairman of the Board.

You can contact Benro Ogunyipe at Vicepresident@nbda.org.

Sharon White Secretary

Program & Committee Oversight Briana Johnson, 2009-2011     Miss Black Deaf America Queen Miss Black Deaf America Pageant Miss Black Deaf America Pageant Committee

Sharon D. White was born and raised in Aurora, Illinois. Currently, she resides in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her personal hobbies include Bingo, relaxing at home, reading books, and spending time with her grandchildren. She is employed with the Kentucky Education and Workforce Cabinet Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) as an Administrative Assistant to the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Branch. She is also the first Black Deaf President of the Kentucky Association of the Deaf and has been appointed to the KCDHH (Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) Commission Board as the KAD President, pursuant to Section 163.506 of the Kentucky Revised Statues. In addition, Sharon became the first Black Deaf Officer and Board Member of KAD when she became the organization's Secretary in 2003, a position she held until her election to the presidency in 2009. Sharon credits KAD with her secretarial experience, which she plans to use in support of her work as NBDA Secretary.

Sharon first became involved with NBDA in 2003 as part of her work with an interest group on the establishment of a new chapter of NBDA in Kentucky. Kentucky Black Deaf Advocates was born and became the 31st chapter in 2005. Sharon was elected as the chapter’s first President. Prior to becoming NBDA Secretary in 2009, Sharon served for one year on the Board of Directors as the Midwestern Regional Representative and two years as an Alternate Midwestern Regional Representative.

You can contact Sharon White at Secretary@nbda.org.

You can contact Vacancy at Treasurer@nbda.org.

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