Empower individuals with disabilities to defeat all odds and become knowledgeable through education, advocacy, and mentorship.

Camilla Gilbert is a persistent advocate, educator, and leader who has used her lived experiences and education to support and assist people with disabilities and their communities through education, mentorship, and advocacy. 

 

The Cincinnati, Ohio native has family roots in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, and Eufaula, Alabama. She grew up in the West End community, where she observed African Americans being successful entrepreneurs, developers, and teachers. The West End taught Ms. Gilbert the importance of work ethic, authenticity, family, and loyalty towards the people who support you. Without her foundation of the West End community, she would not be the woman she is today.

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Her amazing and empowering story began when she was born before the ink dried on her birth certificate. She has a rare condition called Bilateral Microtia (little ear) and Atresia (absent ear canal). Also, being a deaf Black Woman, she is aware of how society makes assumptions towards people of different marginalized groups.

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Her journey includes denying her deaf identity due to societal expectations, assumptions, and prejudices towards the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community. By claiming her deafness, she is a confident Woman who educates, mentors, and advocates for others who need a little encouragement. Ms. Gilbert's mission and purpose are to educate others through her lived experiences with intersectionality and navigating in their communities.  

 

In 2022, the plot thickened. On January 30, 2022, while watching the Cincinnati Bengals go to the Super Bowl, Ms. Gilbert suffered a Transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. Her TIA caused her to have aphasia, defined as a loss or impairment of language caused by brain damage. The journey was long, but Ms. Gilbert remained resilient toward her life, passions, and goals.

 

She is a Doctoral Candidate at Northern Kentucky University for a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership.  Her research topic will understand how disability/deaf identity influences the Black Microtia and Atresia community.​

 

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Lastly, Ms. Gilbert is a mother to one daughter who feels you cannot be a role model for your child if you are unwilling to share your wisdom and experiences with others. 

  

The young girl who hid her deafness from the world is a confident adult who educates and advocates for others. 

 

 

Education

       

Central State University (Wilberforce, Ohio), Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (Cincinnati, Ohio), Deaf Studies Certificate

University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio), Master of Social Work

Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, Kentucky), Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (In progress)

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Awards and Leadership Roles

 

2020 Nomination for the Her Abilities Award

2015 Oticon Focus on People Award for Advocacy  

Served as a Board Member for Ear Community

Past President of the Southwest Ohio Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America

Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.  

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