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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>See below for a great opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Audrey T. Farnum, J.D.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind ofOklahoma<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>405-590-6110<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>president@nfbok.org<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblindok"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblindok</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Live the life you want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> National Federation of the Blind <webmaster@nfb.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 15, 2022 3:16 PM<br><b>To:</b> Audrey Farnum <atfarnum@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Learn about self-employment and start your own business<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:7.5pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:#0075C9;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=600 height=28 style='width:6.25in;height:.2916in' id="_x0000_i1033" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/top-blue-bar.jpg"><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:7.5pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="nfb.org"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=240 height=264 style='width:2.5in;height:2.75in' id="_x0000_i1032" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/nfb-logo-for-email-template.jpg" alt="National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you want"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;border-color:initial'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt'><h2 style='margin-top:2.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Entrepreneurism: A Solution to Unemployment and Underemployment of the Blind</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind has partnered with Synergies Work, an Atlanta nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs with disabilities, to empower blind and low-vision entrepreneurs across the country to launch new businesses and grow existing enterprises through Synergies Work's Idea to Incubation (i2i) Program.</span><span style='color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> Start your own business!</span><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>President Mark Riccobono said in the </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26650&qid=7374671"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>partnership announcement</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>, "<i>We seek real, innovative solutions to the over 70 percent unemployment rate of blind people and actively pursue partnerships which create meaningful opportunities to enhance the role of blind entrepreneurs in the dynamic small-business sector of the United States. We're pleased to partner with Synergies Work and Include LLC through the SmartJob impact investing platform to empower the blind to obtain the kinds of employment opportunities that enable them to live the lives they want."</i></span><o:p></o:p></p></blockquote><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Take advantage of the remote learning opportunities: Synergies Work: i2i Entrepreneurship Program and the Include LLC: How to Raise Money from Venture Capitalists & Angel Investors Program. Both of these applications are open at no cost to entrepreneurial members. We really encourage you to apply without regard to whether you have any prior experience with either subject. Space is limited. Apply today.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 style='margin-top:2.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Synergies Work: i2i Entrepreneurship Program</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>The Synergies Work i2i (Idea to Incubation) program is the largest entrepreneurial program in the United States offering mentorship, business education, funding, and an ongoing support to enable individuals with disabilities to launch and grow sustainable businesses. </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26651&qid=7374671"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Check out a short introduction video they created</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>. The application deadline has been extended. Though the website mentions applications are closing July 15th, they have generously agreed to extend the application deadline to next Friday, July 22nd. </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26652&qid=7374671"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Learn more about the Synergies Work i2i program dates, details, and application process.</span></a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 style='margin-top:2.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Include LLC: How to Raise Money from Venture Capitalists & Angel Investors Program</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Do you have a business or even just a business idea and you’re trying to understand how to get money that isn’t just a loan to help grow your business? There is another kind of investor called an equity investor who provides you money for a percentage of your business. Almost every famous startup organization began by fundraising from equity investors. And we’d like to show you how you can too. This course explores how to raise money from equity investors who are more famously called Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors. We’ll start from the beginning and share what they look for when evaluating a business, and how to speak their language so that you can sell them on your great idea. </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26653&qid=7374671"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Sign up now for first two webinars – "Funding your Business – What are your Options?" and "What is Venture Capital & Should I Raise It?"</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 style='margin-top:2.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Read Our Latest Post on Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Long time Federationist, Todd Elzey, wrote about his employment experiences and excitement for the promotion of self-employment opportunities. He said, “I have believed for years that programs are needed to encourage and assist those blind individuals who are interested in running their own businesses…If you’ve ever wanted to start your own business, but felt that you couldn’t, the Synergies Work i2i Entrepreneurship Program just might be the opportunity you need to live the life you want to live as a small business owner.” Read the post, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26666&qid=7374671">Entrepreneurism: A Solution to Unemployment and Underemployment of the Blind</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 style='margin-top:2.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:22.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Center for Employment Opportunities & SmartJob</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>As President Riccobono shared in the </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26654&qid=7374671"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>2022 Presidential Report</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>, the National Federation of the Blind works to bridge the gaps leading to unemployment and underemployment among the nation’s blind through our Center for Employment Opportunities initiative. And this year, we were a founding ambassador in the global launch of SmartJob, LLC.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26655&qid=7374671"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>SmartJob</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'> is a global company dedicated to closing the disability wealth gap by catalyzing employment through innovation. SmartJob serves as a first-of-its-kind social impact consultant and trusted source of market intelligence for donors and investors in the 1 billion+ person global disability market. We scout, source, advise, and support social entrepreneurs and early stage companies that are committed and focused on profound disability impact.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26656&qid=7374671"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Regina "Gina" Kline, who presented at NFB22</span></a></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>, founded SmartJob at the end of 2020, building a platform to attract disability deal flow and assembling a 14-person advisory board that brings together skills and lived experience from disability policy, disability advocacy, investing, technology and the impact economy.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Pursue the career you want. If you have questions or feedback, please email <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26657&qid=7374671">employment@nfb.org</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr style='height:6.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in;background:#002F6D'><tr style='height:45.0pt'><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26658&qid=7374671"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1031" 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href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26663&qid=7374671"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" alt="Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=19642&qid=7374671&h=65d67a1ffb90875d" title=Unsubscribe><span style='color:white'>Unsubscribe</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=19642&qid=7374671&h=65d67a1ffb90875d" title="Opt Out"><span style='color:white'>Opt Out</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=26664&qid=7374671" title="Sign up for email newsletter"><span style='color:white'>Sign Up for Our E-newsletter</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=street-address><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>200 East Wells St.</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><br><span class=locality>Baltimore</span><span class=adr>, </span><span class=postal-code>21230</span><br><span class=country-name>United States</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>.. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/msv5/images/spacer.gif" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/open?qid=7374671" /></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>