The National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) is the leading advocacy organization for thousands of Black deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States. Black Deaf leaders were concerned that deaf and hard-of-hearing African-Americans were not adequately represented in leadership and policy decision-making activities that were affecting their lives. NBDA was established to address such concerns and serve as an advocacy organization that focuses on the needs of Black deaf and hard-of-hearing people in America.