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Board of Commissioners

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) Board of Commissioners, in accordance with RS 46:2352, consists of qualified and knowledgeable members with experience which enables them to represent the concerns, needs, and recommendations of d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing persons.  This board is established to support the work of LCD and to advocate on behalf of d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing communities and their families. Board members include d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing representatives, parents, professionals, and representatives from related state organizations and the state legislature.

Public Meetings

The Board of Commissioners meets quarterly to help guide program efforts and activities.  2026 LCD Commission Board Meetings will take place on the following dates from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. These meetings are open to the public. Locations may vary.

Upcoming Meetings for 2026:

  • January 16, 2026 
  • April 17, 2026
  • July 17, 2026 
  • October 16, 2026

 

Previous Meetings for 2025:

  • January 17, 2025
  • February 21, 2025 (Special Session)
  • April 25, 2025 (Cancelled) 
  • July 11, 2025
  • October 17, 2025

Livestream viewing will be available at the time of the meeting: https://legis.la.gov/legis/home.aspx

Live captioning will be available at the time of the meeting: https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=dbf6215c-bddd-4b4a-8058-1ac5ead0cec1

NOTE: The caption link will prompt you to answer a few questions. It is not required to answer the questions as you can skip the prompts to access the captions.

Minutes from previous meetings can be found here.

  • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and live captioning will be provided. Presenters, members, and guests may submit requests for additional accessibility and accommodations prior to a scheduled meeting. Please submit a request to jazmyne.lemar@la.gov at least one week prior to the meeting with details of the requested accommodations.
  • In lieu of verbal public comment, individuals may submit a prepared statement in accordance with Senate Rule 13.79. Statements should be emailed to jana.broussard@la.gov and must be received at least 24 hours prior to the meeting to be included in the record for the meeting.
  • To help us ensure our meetings are fully accessible, please share your meeting experience by completing this form https://redcap.link/iym5khet

Interpreter Advisory Ad hoc

  • Meeting: Monday, November 10, 2025 4:30 P.M.-6:30 P.M.
  • Hybrid (In-person and Zoom Webinar)
  • Location: The physical location is Benson Towers New Orleans 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 2024, New Orleans, La 70433. Limited on street parking may be available along Sugar Bowl Drive and Poydras Street, or across Poydras Street on LaSalle Street. Garage parking right next to Benson Tower is available at a cost of $8 in the Superdome Garage 1A. From street level, proceed up escalator to second floor. The guard desk and elevators will be to your left. Proceed to the closest elevator bank and select 20. There will be signs directing you once off of elevator to Suite 2024. 
  • Zoom Webinar Link: click here
  • Zoom Webinar Meeting ID: 810 1239 6072
  • Zoom Webinar Passcode: 2iyY7P
  • ASL Interpreters will be provided. Live/Remote captions will be accessible via ZOOM Webinar Link.

Current Commissioners

Dr. Natalie Delgado

Chairperson
Deaf Representative
Appointed by Governor in 2022
Bio

Dr. Ashley
Argave-Smith

Secretary
Professional Representative
Appointed by Governor in 2020
Bio

Caleb Kleinpeter

President of the Senate Designee since 2024
Bio

Jamar Ennis

Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs Executive Director since 2024
Bio

Sherry Powell

Department of Children & Family Services
Designee since 2022
Bio

Cammy Gaspar

Parent of Deaf Child
Appointed by Governor in 2022
Bio

Dr. David Martin

Superintendent of the
Louisiana Special School District since 2023
Bio

Leslie Knowles

President LA Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
President since March 2025
Bio

Sherry Crosby

LA Association of the Deaf President since 2023
Bio

Brad Wellons

Speaker of the House of Representatives Designee since 2024
Bio

Rosalind Dotson

Office of Behavioral Health Designee since 2025
Bio

Dr.Megan Wimberly

DeafBlind Representative
Appointed by Governor in 2022
Bio

Marissa Ramos

Professional Representative
Appointed by Governor in 2022
Bio

Meredith Jordan

Executive Director of Diverse Learners
Dept of Education Designee since 2023
Bio

Melissa Bayham

LA Workforce Commission
Designee since 2019
Bio

Bethany Blackson

LA Dept of Health
Designee since 2024
Bio

Vacant

Hard of Hearing Representative
Apply Here

Vacant

Deaf Representative
Apply Here

Other Information

  • Member Roles and Responsibilities
  • Apply to Become a Commissioner: Some positions are appointed by the Governor. In order to apply to serve on LCD Board, you must first fill out an application with the Governor’s office. Next, you must email a resume and brief bio to BFHpolicy@La.gov. You will receive a response confirming submission. If you are selected, you will be notified by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. 
  • Learn more about LCD