[Massachusetts-NFB] FW: Reflections on the 2025 National Convention & Looking Ahead to 2026

[sharawinton at gmail.com]

Shara Winton

President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

www.nfbma.org <http://www.nfbma.org/> 

sharawinton at gmail.com <mailto:sharawinton at gmail.com> 

617-304-0347

 

From: sharawinton at gmail.com <sharawinton at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2025 12:25 PM
To: 'NFB of Massachusetts E-mail List' <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org>
Cc: sharawinton at gmail.com
Subject: Reflections on the 2025 National Convention & Looking Ahead to 2026

 

We have just completed our National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana-and
it was absolutely fabulous! If you were unable to attend this year, I
sincerely hope you'll do everything in your power to join us next year.

The 2026 National Convention will be held in Austin, Texas, from July 3-8.
Wouldn't it be amazing if Massachusetts ranked among the top 10 states for
attendance? We're often so close, but not quite there. Let's make next year
the one where we break through! If you haven't yet had the chance to ride in
a Waymo autonomous vehicle, you'll be able to do so in Austin-just one of
the many exciting experiences awaiting you.

If you've never attended a National Convention-or if it's been a while-I'd
like to share a few observations:

Attending convention is a huge confidence booster. It's empowering to be in
a place where you're part of the majority, rather than the only blind person
in the room-which is how many of us live our daily lives.

Yes, the first couple of days can be overwhelming. Navigating an unfamiliar
hotel or city, especially one filled with thousands of other blind people,
is no small task. But by the end of the week, we are all moving through the
space with ease and confidence-as though we've lived there for years. It's
truly a beautiful and empowering thing to witness.

The exhibit hall is an experience in itself, filled with hundreds of vendors
showcasing the latest in accessible technology, products, and services.
There are organizations who serve our community, individuals eager to
connect, and an endless number of resources. It's hard to put into words
just how rich and rewarding this environment is.

This year, over 2,500 people attended, representing all 50 states, Puerto
Rico, and several other countries. We have more than 20 divisions focused on
professional fields and special interests, such as government employees,
veterans, blind parents, Guide-dog users, deaf/blind,  parents of blind
children, performers, and more. Additionally, we have a wide range of groups
and committees representing diverse communities and interests, including
LGBTQ+, Black leaders, Christians, Jews, Greek organizations, cooking, arts
and crafts-and the list goes on. There are meetings for those in recovery.
To explore more, visit nfb.org <https://www.nfb.org> .

One of the most powerful parts of the convention is the opening ceremony at
the start of general sessions. We hear a welcome from our National
President, Mark Riccobono, and from the president of the host affiliate-in
this case, Pam Allen of Louisiana. We honor our veterans, who introduce
themselves to a standing ovation. This year, we also enjoyed remarks from a
Louisiana historian and a man who raises alligators-who brought one on
stage! Our NFB Camp kids even got to meet and touch the alligator up close.

The ceremony continued with a musical performance by the band The
Litigators, who debuted a fantastic new song called "The NFB and Me." After
reciting the pledge, singing the national anthem, and sharing an invocation,
we moved into roll call. During this tradition, each state affiliate's
delegate-usually the president-announces their presence, highlights
affiliate accomplishments, and shares the date and location of their next
state convention.

States with scholarship recipients, Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship winners,
and first-time attendees also take this opportunity to share this
information with the whole convention. We in Massachusetts were proud to
announce six academic scholarship winners this year:

*	Aaron Daley
*	Ren Lovegood
*	Gene Kim
*	Juna Gjata
*	Kaelyn McColl
*	Akliesia Teshome

 

Congratulations to these outstanding students! Let's all do our best to help
them feel welcome and encourage participation from these high-achieving
young people. 

The week concludes with our grand banquet, where our scholarship finalists
receive their awards and President Riccobono delivers his unforgettable
banquet address-always powerful, inspiring, and a true call to action.

If you've never attended a National Convention, please do yourself a favor
and make it a priority. Whether it's next year or the year after, this is
something every member should experience at least once. I promise-it will
change the way you see yourself, our movement, and the possibilities for the
future.

We hope to see you in Austin, Texas in 2026!

Warmly,

 

 

Shara Winton

President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

www.nfbma.org <http://www.nfbma.org/> 

sharawinton at gmail.com <mailto:sharawinton at gmail.com> 

617-304-0347

 

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