<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m very sorry to share that Steve Brand passed away on September 2, 2025. Steve was a long-time member of the Greater Baltimore Chapter as well as the Maryland Association of Blind Merchants. In fact, he served as the Merchants Division Vice President for several years and on the Board of Directors of the Greater Baltimore Chapter for many years. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Many of you may know Steve from his time on the staff of the National Federation of the Blind. Others may know him from his time coordinating our annual Crab Feast. Some of you may remember his delicious food from Greater Baltimore holiday party / repast lunches. Others may remember his leadership (and wassail) from the annual monument lighting. Others may remember his store in Downtown Baltimore. I’m sure those of you who knew Steve have a ton of beautiful, funny, or memorable experiences on which you can look back as a means of comfort in our shared loss.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’ll share information about arrangements as they become available. Please keep Steve, his family, friends, and all who loved him in your thoughts and prayers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ronza<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>