Brendan Stern, Ph.D.
A transformative leader in Deaf civic engagement, he is Associate Professor of Government at Gallaudet University and Executive Director of the Center for Democracy in Deaf America (CDDA). He has created nationally recognized programs such as SignVote, the Youth Debate Bowl, and Agboola Dinners, bringing thousands of Deaf individuals together to foster debate, dialogue, and civic participation in ASL. He also coaches the Gallaudet Debate Team, which has defeated top universities and earned multiple intercollegiate championships. His work emphasizes how Deaf people can shape their collective future, illustrating that dialogue, persuasion, and active citizenship are not only vital skills but pathways to democratic influence.
Kickoff Talk: Deaf America at a Crossroads: The Politics at Play
Time: Thursday, October | 9:15–9:45 PM CST
Final Reflections: Where Do We Go From Here? The Case for Persuasion
Time: Saturday, November 1 | 3:30–4:30 PM CST
DeAnna Swope, M.P.A.
A Southern Deaf belle from Georgia, born into a hearing family, has dedicated her life to advocating for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. DeAnna graduated with a BA in Social and Criminal Justice and an MA in Public Administration from Ashford University. As a Senior Program Associate for the Deaf Action and Program Manager for Deaf Survivors Service under Activating Change, she provides invaluable technical assistance to Deaf and Hearing Anti-violence programs. Before joining AC, she established BRIDGES, GA’s first direct Deaf-led program. DeAnna’s commitment to the community is further demonstrated by her role as the founder and CEO of Diamond Speaks LLC. At this company, she designs and delivers customized training on antiracism, Deaf Black trauma-related issues, and allyship for Black/Brown interpreters. DeAnna is also the CEO of the Sign Your Truth podcast, which allows panelists to have their chance to be heard and to receive the healing they didn’t realize they needed. DeAnna is now the Region III NAD Representative. She is also a new Governor-appointed Commissioner for GA Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Theme: Community Engagement
Topic: From Call-Outs to Connection: Building Space for Growth in Deaf Communities
Time: Thursday, October | 12:45–1:15 PM CST
MJ Bienvenu, Ph.D.
A pioneering Deaf ASL scholar, educator, and activist, born in Baton Rouge, LA, who grew up in a Deaf family and graduated from Gallaudet College with a BA in English, and a MA in Linguistics and Union Institute and University with degrees in Linguistics and Interdisciplinary Studies. She was a co-founder of The Bicultural Center to foster dialogue between Deaf and interpreting communities from 1987 to 1994. She then worked as professor in the Department of ASL and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, before retiring. She is known for her work in ASL instruction, Deaf culture, bilingualism, LGBTQIA, -isms and empowerment.
Theme: Community Engagement
Topic: Reconnecting: Addressing Dissociation in the Deaf Community
Time: Thursday, October | 3:30–4:00 PM CST
Joseph “JoJo” Lopez III, M.A.
A dedicated advocate and educator, he was born and raised in Riverside, California, and is an alumnus of the California School for the Deaf, Riverside (2004) and Gallaudet University (B.A. in Communication Studies, 2010; M.A. in Sign Language Education, 2017). He currently resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he works as a Developmental Specialist in the Early Intervention Department at the New Mexico School for the Deaf and serves as an Adjunct Instructor for ASL Levels I & II at New Mexico State University. An active community leader, he serves on the boards of Raíces del Rio Grande, New Mexico Mano A Mano, Council de Manos, and the National Association of the Deaf. JoJo is now the NAD Region IV Representative In his personal life, he enjoys socializing, hiking, coffee, photography, and spending quality time with family.
Theme: Community Engagement
Topic: Deaf Identity and Intersectionality: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Time: Thursday, October | 4:00–4:30 PM CST
Kelby Brick, Esq
A civil rights attorney and executive with experience across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors, this leader serves as Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the oldest civil rights organization in the United States, and is also a Certified Deaf Interpreter. Widely recognized for coining and advancing the concept of the Deaf Ecosystem, which promotes job creation and business ownership among Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, their work has influenced many aspects of daily life, from employment and mental health to telecommunications equity.
Theme: Employment
Topic: Employment Rights Post-ADA: Why Are We Still Fighting?
Time: Thursday, October | 11:00 – 11:30 PM CST
Tawny Holmes-Hilbok, Esq
A third-generation Deaf leader and passionate advocate for Deaf children’s education and language equity, she is a tenured associate professor in Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University and secured $3.75 million in federal funding to lead a national early intervention center for Deaf babies and their families. She was the first Deaf executive director of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and previously served as a White House Fellow under both the Biden and Trump administrations. Her work continues to focus on policy, language access, and empowering future Deaf leaders and families.
Theme: Employment
Topic: Ending Bias Against Deaf Professionals: Policy Solutions
Time: Thursday, October | 2:30 – 3:00 PM CST
Jeff S. Bravin, M.S.
A seasoned leader in Deaf education, he has served at the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in West Hartford, CT since 2002 and currently holds the position of Executive Director. In this role, he oversees all operational aspects of the school, including education, human resources, finance, and institutional advancement, while ensuring ASD’s vision and mission are realized. Previously, he held key positions at ASD and worked at the Lexington School for the Deaf. He holds a B.A. in Government from Gallaudet University, an M.S. in Deaf Education from McDaniel College, an M.S. in School Administration and Supervision from Queens College, and is pursuing doctoral study in Educational Leadership at the University of Connecticut. A prominent figure in the field, he has served as President of the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) and on numerous state and national boards supporting Deaf education.
Theme: Deaf Education
Topic: Schools, Power, and Change: Advocating for State and Federal Deaf Education Policies
Time: Thursday, October | 11:00 – 11:30 PM CST
Marla Hatrak, Ph.D.
A dedicated educator, policy expert, and advocate for Deaf children and families, she holds a master’s in early childhood education with a Specialization in Public Policy and Advocacy and a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Leadership, and Management. As the NAD’s Educational Policy Consultant, she is committed to ensuring that Deaf babies have access to both American Sign Language and English literacy, so they are Kindergarten-ready. Currently, she evaluates both federal and state legislation impacting Deaf education and strategizes what needs to be done. She was co-editor of the 2017 report The Road to Kindergarten Readiness: Language Policy for Deaf Children Ages 0–5 and the 2021 proceedings Re-Thinking Auditory Deprivation.
Theme: Deaf Education
Topic: Our Language, Our Data, Our Future
Time: Thursday, October | 2:30 – 3:00 PM CST
