Empowerment and Black Deaf Persons is a collection of papers from a 1990 conference that brought together an audience of mostly Black Deaf and hearing people to address three themes: leadership and advocacy, the dynamics and dilemmas of being multiply marginalized, and issues related to language and community. Scholars, students, and community members will find this volume invaluable for understanding the origins and evolution of Black Deaf Studies. Lindsay Dunn, co-chair of the original conference, contributes a new foreword, offering contemporary insights and reflections.
 
This is the inaugural volume in the Early Papers in Deaf Studies series, which will consist of reissued works originally published by the Gallaudet University College for Continuing Education but long out of print. The aim of this series is to restore these foundational papers to the scholarly community. Empowerment and Black Deaf Persons is available in both print and open digital formats, ensuring broad access to this important contribution to the literature.

Jemina Napier is a hearing heritage signer and is Professor and Chair of Intercultural Communication in the Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies at Heriot-Watt University, in Scotland, UK. Napier is also a practicing sign language interpreter and works between English and British Sign Language, Australian Sign Language, or International Sign.

Stacey Webb is a hearing new signer and is Assistant Professor in the Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies at Heriot-Watt University, in Scotland, UK. As a qualified American Sign Language/English and British Sign Language/ English interpreter, she brings a holistic approach to education that spans traditional and cutting-edge methodologies.

Robert Adam is a deaf heritage signer and is Associate Professor in the Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies at Heriot-Watt University, in Scotland, UK. As a practicing deaf interpreter and translator, Adam is qualified to work between English and British Sign Language, American Sign Language, and International Sign.