[MI-ABS] The MIABS Mosaic Vol. 6.2- June 14TH, 2026

Wed Jun 17 14:47:37 UTC 2026

The MIABS Mosaic Vol. 6.2
June 14th, 2026

Message from Vice President KaShonia Graham
  When most people hear the word membership, they think about signing up, paying dues, or adding their name to a list. While those things are important, membership is so much more than that. Membership is about connection. It’s about finding your people. It’s about knowing that when you show up, someone is glad you came.

Over the years, I’ve learned that there is a big difference between being a member of something and feeling like a member of something.

You can sit in meetings, volunteer for events, answer emails, and do all the things you’re supposed to do, yet still feel like you’re standing outside looking through the window. Unfortunately, many people have experienced that feeling at one time or another. They joined because they wanted to belong, but somewhere along the way they felt overlooked, unheard, or unappreciated.

I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give each other is making sure that doesn’t happen.

An organization should never feel like a private club where a few people make all the decisions while everyone else does the heavy lifting. The strongest organizations are built when everyone has a voice, everyone is respected, and everyone understands that their contribution matters. Whether you’re a brand-new member attending your first meeting or someone who has been around for years, your ideas have value.

One thing I’ve always loved about the National Federation of the Blind is that we believe in the collective power of blind people. We don’t move forward because of one person. We move forward because all of us bring our talents, experiences, and perspectives together. Some people are great organizers. Some are advocates. Some are fundraisers. Some are the people who quietly step in and get the work done. Every role matters.

I often say that people don’t stay where they are tolerated. They stay where they are appreciated.

Think about it. We’ve all had those moments when someone simply said, “Thank you,” asked for our opinion, or invited us to be part of a project. Those small gestures can make a huge difference. They tell people, “You belong here.”

As MIABS continues to grow, I encourage all of us to be intentional about creating that kind of environment. Reach out to someone new. Ask for another person’s perspective. Make room at the table. Encourage someone who may not realize just how much they have to offer.

Because at the end of the day, membership isn’t about titles. It isn’t about who talks the loudest or who has been around the longest. It’s about building a community where every person feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.

There are no big “I’s” and little “you’s” in this division. There is just us.

And when all of us are moving in the same direction, supporting one another and lifting each other up, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.

Let’s continue building a MIABS where every member knows they matter, every voice is heard, and every person feels like they truly belong.

Together, we are building the Federation. Together, we are building the future. ❤️

Announcements
The MIABS Market
  We are happy to announce that the MIABS Market is officially up and running. If you are looking for some tech training, baked goods, audio book narration, O&M problem solving strategy sessions and much more, then the MIABS Market is your one stop shop to get everything you want. We also have some fantastic gently used jewelry and a brand new air purification unit from Meta. Items will be added as they are donated.
  If you have an item or service you would like to contribute to the market, please reach out to miabs-president at outlook.com
  So, please go check out our offerings by visiting
The MIABS Market<http://www.zeffy.com/en-us/ticketing/miabs-market>

The MIABS Main Stage Virtual Talent Showcase
  Step Right Up to The MIABS Main Stage!
Hey there, NFB of Michigan family!
Danielle Agajan here—your trusty MIABS Treasurer and your host with the most (or at least, the host with the microphone) for the biggest night of the summer.
Are you tired of singing in the shower to an audience of loofahs? Do you have a hidden talent that your cat is frankly tired of hearing about? Or do you just want to sit back, relax, and watch your fellow Federationists risk it all for glory?
Whatever your vibe, we want YOU there! Whether you're a student, an ally, an advocate, or just someone who loves a good show, if you are part of the NFB, you are officially invited to the virtual party of the year.

  *   When: Saturday, June 27th, 2026
  *   Time: 6:30 p.m. EST sharp! (Don't be late, or I'll start telling dad jokes).
  *   Where: Virtually on Zoom (from the comfort of your couch, pajama pants welcome).

Choose Your Fighter: Performer vs. Audience
The Spectator (Free!): Just want to watch, laugh, and cheer? Awesome. Admission for audience members is absolutely FREE. Come bring the hype!
The Performer ($5 Entry Fee): Ready to take the virtual stage? Show us your music, comedy, poetry, or whatever weirdly impressive skill you’ve been harboring. It’s just $5 per person, per performance. Why the fee? Because we have some sweet, sweet prizes on the line.
What’s Behind Curtain Number One?
Our performances will be evaluated by a ruthless—err, distinguished—panel of experts, including MIABS’ very own President, Jeffrey Crouch! They’ll be handing out:

  *   1st Place: Cold, hard Cash! (Yes, actual money).
  *   2nd & 3rd Place: Delicious Double Good Popcorn! (Almost as good as cash, honestly).

The Boring (but Important) Deadline Stuff
This flyer is attached right to your ticket to fame (the registration form).
Visit http://www.zeffy.com/en-us/ticketing/miabs-main-stage to register!

  *   Deadline to Sign Up & Pay: Wednesday, June 24th, 2026

No extensions, folks! I need to count the pennies ahead of time—it’s in my job description.
Come for the competition, stay for the laughter, and let’s celebrate our NFB family talent. Dust off those instruments, warm up those vocal cords, or just get your cheering section ready.
See you on the Main Stage!

MIABS Liberty Bean Coffee Fundraiser
    If you are like me, you may be on your second or third cup of coffee of the day. Do you love coffee to help push through the long days of classes, work, or those intense card games like  Euchre? Maybe you like to have a cup of decaffeinated with your dessert in the evening. Well, what better way to get that amazing brew right into your cup while supporting some awesome students who are a part of an amazing division.
The Michigan Association of Blind Students is proud to announce that we have partnered with Liberty Beans Coffee to bring you our very own branded coffee at a reasonable price to help fund important initiatives for blind students across Michigan. By supporting you are ensuring that we can continue the important work of raising expectations and creating the next generation of leaders who will have the ability to make changes right within their own community.
So, whether you are looking to support for one of the reasons above or something else, please check out and support our Liberty Coffee fundraiser! If you can't purchase, no worries, you can help by sharing this fundraiser with everyone you know. Sharing can make the difference and every share matters!
Please check out the fundraiser by visiting
https://libertybeanscoffee.com/fundraiser-benefiting-michigan-association-of-blind-students/
To help support.

Calendar of Events
  If you would like to join any of our committee meetings or events, please use the student zoom link below.
Link to join the student zoom room<https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5368095926?pwd=04Tsi6F1xvcxP0iVL3hy0otQeVFQVn.1>

  *
June 18TH: 6:30PM- Students of Tomorrow Committee
  *
June 22ND: 6:30PM- Advocacy Committee toolkit
  *
June 24TH: 6:30PM- Membership Committee
  *
June 26TH: 7:00PM- Techtalk Live
  *
June 27TH: 3:00PM- Members Meeting
  *
June 27TH: 6:30PM- MIABS Main Stage Virtual Talent Showcase
  *
June 28TH: 6:30PM- Project Prepare
  *
June 29TH: 6:30PM- Unseen Media Live

Connect With Us
Youtube<http://youtube.com/@miabs_social>
Kick<http://kick.com/miabs-social>
Facebook<http://facebook.com/miabssocial>
Instagram<http://instagram.com/miabs_social>
Tiktok<http://tiktok.com/@miabs_social>
X<http://x.com/@miabs_social>
Mastodon<http://mastodon.social/@miabs_social>
Blog<http://miabssocial.wordpress.com/>

In Conclusion
 Thank you for reading this weeks addition of the MIABS Mosaic. President Crouch would like to apologize for this Mosaic being a few days late. As many of you may know, Secretary Steven Crouch has moved to Kalamazoo, so the past few days have been full of rearranging our home and getting Steven set up for success.
  In our next addition, Steven will ketch you all up on everything communications related. Until then, we hope you enjoy the rest of your week.
Let's go and build the federation!

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Sincerely,
Jeffery Crouch
President: Michigan Association of Blind Students