Meet the Executive Director
Kari Cooke, a proud resident of Ward 5, was appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser and serves as the Executive Director for the Division of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing. In her first 3 months, she hosted townhalls in each ward as part of a listening tour, established the office framework, mission, structure, and staffing as the inaugural director. Director Cooke has an established career in policy development and community engagement through her work at the Center for Disability Rights, National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA), and the U.S. Dept. of Labor affiliate programs. Director Cooke specializes in working with under-served populations, including but not limited to deaf youth, homeless veterans, and formerly incarcerated persons. She most recently served as a Fellow of the Stagen Leadership Academy, Vice President of programs at a Community Services for the Deaf, and Assistant Dean at Dartmouth College.
Director Cooke is committed to community engagement, and as a result of her outreach she expanded her coalition-building impact with nonprofit and governmental groups such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Women's Media Center, International Deaf Education, Advocacy, & Leadership and The New Leaders Council. She also is a founder of the Black Deaf Women's Development Foundation.
Director Cooke was recognized for her advocacy having been appointed by NY Governor Cuomo to the New York State Independent Living Council, along with her work as the inaugural Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs for NBDA. In 2014 she was appointed to the Obama Administration's FCC Disability Advisory Council. A speaker with TEDx, a US Delegate with the United Nations-ILYA, and a member of the Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame, Director Cooke is dedicated to using a liberation ethic to address societal transformation.
Contact Us
Division of Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing
899 North Capitol Street, NE Suite 7200
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 601-9491
Email: [email protected]
To learn more about how the Division of Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing can help you navigate through District government, please contact us at [email protected].