Signing Savvy, Your Sign Language Resource

February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. It’s also a chance to recognize those whose stories haven’t always been widely heard. In this article, we’re highlighting a few incredible Black Deaf individuals who have made a lasting impact in education, entertainment, sports, and advocacy. Their stories continue to inspire and remind us of the power of perseverance, representation, and community.

Andrew Foster - Pioneer in Deaf Education

Andrew Foster was the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Gallaudet University. His dedication to Deaf education in Africa led him to establish 32 schools for the Deaf across the continent.

Foster is often referred to as the “Father of Deaf Education in Africa” and the “Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet of Africa.”

Read more about Andrew Foster

See It Signed - Example Sentence about Andrew Foster

Here's an example sentence describing Andrew Foster in ASL:

ASL Gloss:  A‑N‑D‑R‑E‑W F‑O‑S‑T‑E‑R HIMSELF FAMOUS DEAF BLACK MINISTER TEACHER MISSIONARY. HE SETUP FIRST DEAF SCHOOL WHERE? AFRICA.

English Example:  Andrew Foster was a famous Deaf African American who was a reverend, educator, and missionary. He established the first school for the deaf in Africa.

CJ Jones — Actor, Comedian, and Storyteller

Born Charles Paul Jones, CJ says his life is all about "who I am, not what I am." His career in comedy and acting has broken barriers, and he made history as the first Black Deaf actor in an international blockbuster with his role in Baby Driver (2017).

His passion for storytelling brings hope and representation to both the Deaf and hearing communities.

Read more about CJ Jones

See It Signed - Example Sentence about CJ Jones

Here's an example sentence describing CJ Jones in ASL:

ASL Gloss:  C‑J J‑O‑N‑E‑S HIMSELF FAMOUS DEAF ACTOR AND COMEDIAN. HE SAYS QUOTE ANYTHING POSSIBLE! NOTHING RELATED‑TO DEAF BLACK DISABLED. ABOUT HAVING PASSION DO WONDERFUL THINGS LIFE.

English Example:  CJ Jones is a famous Deaf actor and comedian. He says “Anything is possible. Success has nothing to do with being deaf or black or any disability. It has to do with your passion to do greater things in life!”

Curtis Pride — MLB Player and Coach

Curtis Pride made history as the first full-season Deaf player in the modern era of Major League Baseball (MLB).

After his playing career, he continued his impact on the sport by becoming the head baseball coach at Gallaudet University, where he mentored and inspired Deaf athletes for over 15 years.

Read more about Curtis Pride

See It Signed - Example Sentence for Curtis Pride

Here's an example sentence describing Curtis Pride in ASL:

ASL Gloss:  C‑U‑R‑T‑I‑S P‑R‑I‑D‑E HIMSELF DEAF BASEBALL PLAYER. HE USED‑TO PLAY DIFFERENTDIFFERENT DIFFERENT TEAMS ONE‑OF‑THREEDETROIT T‑I‑G‑E‑R‑S, TWO‑OF‑THREE ATLANTA B‑R‑A‑V‑E‑S, THREE‑OF‑THREE NEW YORK Y‑A‑N‑K‑E‑E‑S. NOW HE COACH GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY BASEBALL TEAM.

English Example:  Curtis Pride is deaf and was a baseball player. He played for many teams, such as the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees. He is currently the coach for the Gallaudet University baseball team.

NOTE: Pride is no longer the coach at Gallaudet University, however, he coached there for over 15 years!

Continue Learning & Celebrating

We encourage you to learn more about Black Deaf leaders who have shaped history. A great place to start is National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA), the leading advocacy organization for Black Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the U.S.

Let’s celebrate Black excellence, Deaf culture, and the power of representation—not just this month, but every day!