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Leading Louisiana forward: Celebrating Louisiana’s Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing leaders

LD2 is Deaf-centered training, a statewide network of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing leaders, and the practical tools to move change forward across Louisiana.

Why LD2

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf is investing in the community so the community leads.

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD), in partnership with Innivee Strategies, built the Louisiana Deaf Leadership Development (LD2) course to develop leaders from inside the state and from inside the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing communities. The people who understand these communities best are the ones leading and shaping the decisions, programs and laws that affect them.

The investment of today will last well beyond the final day of each cohort and ripple far into the future. Each group that completes LD2 adds to a growing network of leaders across the state of Louisiana.

What the investment makes possible

Success stories

What members have gone on to do, and what they shared with community and state leaders.

Cohort 1, 2023 to 2024

  • A member joined the board of the Louisiana Association of the Deaf and later the National Association of the Deaf.
  • A member ran for, and was elected, president of New Orleans Black Deaf Advocates.
  • A member was promoted at work and plans to start an employee resource group for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing employees.
  • A member took part in disaster relief efforts and received awards for that work.
  • Every member who completed the program reported more confidence in their leadership.

Read the Cohort 1 celebration story

Cohort 2, 2025

  • On September 12, 2025, members shared their leadership stories with legislators, agency leaders and community members at the Louisiana State Capitol, and met Senator Kleinpeter.
  • Members shared that leadership goes beyond titles, that it means embracing vulnerability, and that there is always more to learn.
  • Members built a statewide network of peers that continues after the program.

Read the Cohort 2 launch story

Sources: LD2 Closeout Report for the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (July 9, 2024); LD2 Cohort 2 closing content (September 2025).

In the room

Leaders learning together

Workshops, conversations, and closing celebrations at the Louisiana State Capitol.

A man in a black cap and glasses stands and signs while two women sit beside him.
Two women seated at a table talking and signing with each other.
A smiling woman with gray wavy hair and glasses sits at a table with two others behind her.
A group of cohort members stand together on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol.
Two people talk in a long tiled hallway lined with display cases, with other attendees behind them.

In their own words

A cohort member signing during an LD2 session.
Transcript

In just six months, we watched people grow their vulnerabilities into strengths, and that growth is only getting started.

A cohort member signing to the group, with other members seated nearby.
Transcript

So many new faces joined this cohort, and they picked up an impressive variety of skills while having a genuinely great time.

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf and Innivee Strategies announce LD2 Cohort 3. Presented in ASL with English captions.

Transcript: LD2 Cohort 3 announcement

Jana Broussard (LCD): The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf is proud to announce the third cohort of the Louisiana Deaf Leadership Development Program, LD2.

When we launched LD2 in 2023, we hoped it would open doors. It has done more than that. We have since watched two cohorts of d/Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing leaders grow in confidence, find their strengths, and step up at work and in their communities. We were so pleased with what these leaders accomplished, and we are excited to bring LD2 back to our community for a third time.

When we invest in each other, our whole community grows stronger. LD2 is one way we do that.

Shane: LD2 focuses on self-awareness, communication, team building, and advocacy. You will learn from the curriculum and from each other. You will be challenged to step outside your comfort zone, with a cohort of peers beside you when you do.

Once again, LD2 will be facilitated by Innivee Strategies, a Deaf-led organizational and leadership development company.

Star: LD2 is for d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing people residing in Louisiana who are early in their leadership journey. This six-month program is offered at no cost to you and brings together a cohort of 12 to 15 peers.

We will begin with an in-person kickoff retreat on January 2027 and close with an in-person retreat in June 2027. In between, we will meet virtually on Zoom. If you are curious, ready to grow, and want to make a difference, we want to meet you.

Melissa: Maybe you lead at work, in a volunteer role, in sports, or in your family. Leadership does not require a title. Apply now and join us for cohort three of the LD2 Program.

Do not miss this chance to learn, grow and lead. Apply today!

Three ways you can step forward

Start the journey

You leave with skills and a starting point for your own leadership journey, wherever it leads.

Advocate for change

You build the skills and confidence to step forward and advocate for legislative change.

Take the helm

You become better qualified to lead the organizations and programs that serve Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Louisianans.

Begin your leadership journey.

Cohort 3 begins in January 2027, a 6-month program like Cohort 2. Applications for Cohort 3 are open. Learn more, or apply now.

Learn More Apply Now

Want leadership development for your own organization? Learn about Innivee's leadership development services.

Application Deadline December 13, 2026

What members learn

Skills for your leadership journey

Through workshops, discussions, and collaborative projects, you learn what skills leaders need and practice them with each other.

Technical and adaptive leadership

Understand the difference, and know when each is needed.

Empathy and emotional intelligence

Lead with a clear view of your own style and the needs of others.

Creating a shared vision

Bring people together around a goal for the community.

Building movements for change

Turn ideas into lasting change across Louisiana.

Who makes it happen

A state program, led by the community

LD2 was launched by the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD), a state agency serving Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing Louisianans. It is designed and facilitated by Innivee Strategies, a Deaf-led leadership and organizational development company. The Bureau of Family Health is a partner.

  • Louisiana Commission for the Deaf
  • Louisiana Department of Health

Timeline

How the investment has grown

  1. 2023Cohort 1, the first LD2 cohort.
  2. 2024Cohort 1 completes LD2 and celebrates at the Louisiana State Capitol.
  3. February 2025Cohort 2 launches, a no-cost program open by application.
  4. September 12, 2025Cohort 2 closes with a celebration at the Louisiana State Capitol.
  5. January 2027Cohort 3 begins and will also close with a celebration at the Louisiana State Capitol.
Apply for LD2 Cohort 3