2023 NBDA Awards Nominations

To receive an NBDA Award, an individual and/or organization must be nominated for their achievements/contributions in areas including, but not limited to: technology, research, invention, social services, politics, economic, educational opportunities, advocacy, and more that impact the Black Deaf community.

NBDA highly requires your cooperation to encourage members of the community to consider carefully their nominations. Self-nominations will not be accepted nor considered. Short descriptions and nomination requirements are provided below for the following: Linwood Smith Humanitarian Award, Andrew Foster Humanitarian Award, Bronze Hands Award, Advocate of the Year Award. The deadline to complete the nomination submissions is June 23, 2023.

Your Full Name*

First NameLast Name

E-mail Address*

Linwood Smith Humanitarian AwardAndrew J. Foster Humanitarian AwardBronze Hands AwardAdvocate of the Year Award

Short Description
This Distinguished Linwood Smith Humanitarian Award is made for an NBDA Member who has demonstrated their active support of NBDA and the objectives of NBDA as described in Article 11 of the NBDA ByLaws.

Nomination Requirements
Linwood Smith had a special relationship with NBDA, and the supported the need for valid Black Deaf role models. This award is a memorial to Linwood Smith, as well as a reminder of where we were yesterday, an awareness of where we are today, and an inspiration to dream and aspire for a better tomorrow.

Name of the BDA Member being nominated*

First NameLast Name

Elaborate the background information on the person’s accomplishments for a NBDA Chapter*

Describe why you feel this member should receive the Linwood Smith Humanitarian Award*

This nomination must be confirmed by the local NBDA chapter president and at least two other chapter officers. Type names of chapter officers.*

YesNo

If they did not confirm, you must ask the local NBDA chapter president and at least two other chapter officers to confirm. You can submit the nomination and receive confirmation from them later.

Short Description
This Distinguished Andrew J. Foster Humanitarian Award can be given for either an individual achievement, or for group/organization efforts for the Black Deaf Community. Recipients need not be members of NBDA, nor do they need to be Black. However, they should have humanitarian accomplishments in working for the Deaf in the USA or Worldwide.

Nomination Requirements
This award is a memorial to Andrew Foster as well as a way to recognize the accomplishments of members of the Deaf Community who have made similar humanitarian advancements for Deaf people in America or Worldwide.

Name of the individual or organization being nominated*

Elaborate the background information on the person/organization’s accomplishments for the Deaf people in America or Globally*

Describe why you feel this person/organization should receive the Andrew Foster Humanitarian Award*

This nomination must be confirmed by at least two other nominators. Type names of two other nominators.*

YesNo

If they did not confirm, you must ask the two other nominators to confirm. You can submit the nomination and receive confirmation from them later.

Short Description
This Distinguished Bronze Hands Award is given to an individual who is a role model in the Black Deaf Community, and has made an achievement in the grassroots advocacy or their professional endeavors (awards will not be given out to individuals with a drug conviction or felony record).

Nomination Requirements
This award is given to a Black deaf individual who possess the characteristics of: 1) Black Deaf role model, who can be looked up to by both young people and adults or 2) Achievement or recognition in their area, such as included but not limited to: Advocacy, Grassroots volunteerism, Professional accomplishments, Active community leadership, Scholarship & excellence, Dedication to serving Black community and/or Deaf community, Innovative program implementations, Sportsmanship, Artistic contributions in any form, Religious involvement, Political involvement, Social Services, i.e. youth, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.

Name of the individual being nominated*

First NameLast Name

Elaborate the background information on the person’s accomplishments *

Describe why you feel this person is a role model and should receive the Bronze Hands Award*

This nomination must be confirmed by at least two other nominators. Type names of two other nominators.*

YesNo

If they did not confirm, you must ask the two other nominators to confirm. You can submit the nomination and receive confirmation from them later.

Short Description
This Advocate of the Year Award is designed to recognize our unsung heroes and heroines, the people who are crucial in keeping NBDA thriving in the area of advocacy: its members and chapters.

Nomination Requirements
NBDA is proud to be an organization that has accomplished a lot in advocacy for Black Deaf Americans. However, none of these accomplishments would have happened without the people who are typically overlooked when praises are being sung, and normally do not get any gratitude, or encouragement for their efforts. This has been rectified with the Advocate of the Year Award, which goes to a NBDA Chapter or Member who has been accomplished in the area of advocacy.

Name of the BDA Chapter or Member being nominated*

Elaborate the background information on the chapter’s/member’s accomplishments *

Describe why you feel this chapter or member should receive the NBDA Advocate of the Year Award*

This nomination must be confirmed by the local NBDA chapter president and at least two other chapter officers. Type names of chapter officers.*

YesNo

If they did not confirm, you must ask the local NBDA chapter president and at least two otehr chapter officers to confirm. You can submit the nomination and receive confirmation from them later.