[4Alabama] Community Impact: Leading Courageously

[Mark Riccobono]

AMPLIFYING THE POWER OF THE BLIND-LED MOVEMENT

> _"The theme that blindness need not define or limit us has been carried
> from mentor to student, from parent to child, from leader to leader, and
> from generation to generation. Each voice has added something new, but
> the theme remains unmistakable." _-- President Mark Riccobono in his 2026
> banquet speech, "Resonance, Amplification, and Interplay: The
> Counterpoint of the Organized Blind Movement [1]".

BUILDING THE MOVEMENT

Leadership in the Federation is important, but our movement is bigger than
any one person and grows stronger with each generation. The power of our
membership, acting through the democratic process, enables us to engage in
collective action with the expectation of self-determination and full
participation in society by blind people. Many of our programs are aimed at
developing new leaders so that they can mentor and train blind people in
their communities to challenge low expectations in pursuit of richer,
fuller lives for all blind people. 

Learn more about how we develop a new generation of Federation leaders with
the Kenneth Jernigan Leadership in Service Program [2], and explore ways
that members actively participate in growing their local chapters [3] and
state affiliates [4]. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED TO SERVE

Strong, committed, and passionate leadership has guided the National
Federation of the Blind since 1940. The seventeen members of the Board of
Directors are a diverse group of blind individuals who are elected by the
members at the annual national convention. Read about the Board of
Directors [5] and what drives each of them to serve the blind-led movement.


EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO LEAD

The National Association of Blind Students (NABS), a division of the
National Federation of the Blind, works to empower blind students to live
the lives they want through organized activism, mentorship, leadership
development, resource sharing, and so much more. Learn more about how the
National Association of Blind Students [6] helps young blind people create
opportunities for themselves. 

FINDING THE COURAGE TO BLOOM

Elizabeth Rouse's mother once told her, "You're a flower just like everyone
else, but in a field of daisies, you're a violet." Now the President of the
National Association of Blind Students and a member of the 2025-2026
Kenneth Jernigan Leadership in Service Program cohort, Elizabeth shares: 

> _"Only after I found and embraced the Federation did I truly understand
> the wisdom of my mom's explanation. The seed that was planted
> oh-so-long-ago was nurtured by mentors and friends who took the time to
> help me better understand that my blindness was simply a part of me."_

Read more about how Elizabeth developed the courage to bloom as a blind
woman in her recent _Braille Monitor_ article [7]. 

UNTIL NEXT TIME:Â CONNECT WITH YOUR STATE AFFILIATE

Our fifty-two state affiliates and hundreds of local chapters a driven by
volunteers and members who support and mentor each other. Find ways to get
involved with a chapter near you [4]. 

Thank you for helping us show the world that we can live and create the
lives we want. You are subscribed to our monthly community impact email,
where we share how we are advancing the lives of the Nation's blind. The
National Federation of the Blind is a network of members, friends, and
people like you who believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people. 

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 		 National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
21230 | 410-659-9314 

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United States
.. 



Links:
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[1] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44172&qid=12897269-and-reports/banquet-speeches/resonance-amplification-and-interplay-counterpoint
[2] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44173&qid=12897269-services/kenneth-jernigan-leadership-service-program
[3] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44174&qid=12897269-involved/membership-building
[4] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44175&qid=12897269-us/state-affiliates
[5] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44175&qid=12897269-us/leadership/board-directors
[6] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44163&qid=12897269
[7] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44176&qid=12897269
[8] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44165&qid=12897269
[9] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44166&qid=12897269
[10] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44167&qid=12897269
[11] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44168&qid=12897269
[12] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44170&qid=12897269
[13] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=26706&qid=12897269&h=5f8dba62ae9ae176
[14] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=26706&qid=12897269&h=5f8dba62ae9ae176
[15] https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=44171&qid=12897269