Evon Black Named Associate Director of the Center for Black Deaf Studies

Evon J. Black, ’87 & G-’96, has been named Associate  Director of the Center for Black Deaf Studies. Selected after a national search, Evon began her new role on Monday, June 21. 

As Associate Director of CBDS, Evon will focus on Center events and initiatives; conduct and oversee outreach activities; coordinate grant activities and reporting; oversee Center operations; and lead Center communication and fundraising. Specifically, she will assist with the planning, implementation, and coordination of seminars, lunch talks, lectures, conferences, graduate research workshops, and comparable events; conduct and support outreach activities for K-12, university, and community audiences; and administer grants. She will also support Deaf Studies students, and supervise staff, student employees, and interns. Finally, Evon will continue her work to bring the Kendall School Division 2 Memorial project to fruition, and to support other fundraising initiatives.

Evon, originally from Arkansas, is a well-known member of the Black Deaf community. She is immediate past president of the National Black Deaf Advocates, and has held other leadership roles in NBDA and its local chapters. For the last 35 years, she has been a renowned performing artist and a widely sought-after presenter and storyteller.

Evon was most recently Assistant Director of Recruitment in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. She also served as a Development and Engagement Officer with the Office of Development, focused on garnering support for the Kendall School Division 2 Memorial. During her career, she has worked in student development, higher education, state government, and telecommunications. 

As a Gallaudet University student in the 1980s, Evon was the first Black Deaf person to hold a leadership position in the Student Body Government, serving as Vice President during the 1985-1986 academic year. Her master’s degree is in educational technology.

The Center for Black Deaf Studies was established in July 2020, with Dr. Carolyn D. McCaskill, ’77, G-’79, & PhD ‘05 as its founding director. Watch for information about a Center open house and meet-and-greet this fall.