[NABS-L] FW: [NFBMN-News] Important News from BLIND Incorporated

[Justin Salisbury]

Fellow Federationists,

One of the major things that we do in the NFB is operate three training centers for the blind. I highly recommend these training centers. When big news happens at one of them, it is big news to all of us. The following message is big news in our community:

Begin forwarded message:
From: Steve Jacobson via NFBMN-News <nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org>>
Date: August 7, 2023 at 9:34:48 PM CDT
To: nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbmn-news at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [NFBMN-News] Important News from BLIND Incorporated
Reply-To: Steve Jacobson <president at nfbmn.org<mailto:president at nfbmn.org>>

As some of you are already aware, Jen Kennedy submitted her resignation as the Executive Director of BLIND Incorporated last Friday, August 4. As president, I have met with Jen regularly and I have enjoyed working with her. In her public statement, inserted below, she wants to take some time for rest and reflection. Most of the time she was in this position, Jen and her team innovated new approaches to deal with the effects of a serious pandemic, as well as the unrest after the murder of George Floyd, and provided quality virtual instruction to their students. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jen for her efforts.

Please know that BLIND Incorporated remains open and classes continue. Chelsey Duranleau, assistant director,  is currently serving as the acting director. If you are available to provide substitute instruction, lead a seminar discussion, or would like to volunteer your time helping out around the building, Please email Ryan Strunk, Board Chair, at boardchair at blindinc.org<mailto:boardchair at blindinc.org>.

Here is the public statement Jen released today:


It has been an honor to serve as the Executive Director of Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions for the last four years. I am grateful to have had the support of so many dedicated staff, students, and leaders within the organization during what had and continues to be an unprecedented time in our communities’ history.

Our work is much like a sport. While I may be the coach, it takes heart and energy from all the players to score points towards independence and win the game of empowerment. I am humbled by the number of seasoned teammates who have provided me guidance, and the even larger number of all-star players who allowed me to coach them. Win or lose, we came back out and played every game like it was the championship. Thank you for your dedication to the sport of blindness rehabilitation.

Because the shot clock never stops, The time has come for the next coach to bring their heart and energy to the players at BLIND, Inc. I intend to take some time to rest and reflect on all we have accomplished together in the last four seasons. When you see me next, I’ll be proudly wearing a t-shirt worn by fans and members of our community, supporting the team I helped build.

Thank you for this incredible opportunity.

Jennifer M. Kennedy




Best regards,

Steve Jacobson, President
National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota
www.nfbmn.org<http://www.nfbmn.org/>
(612) 872-9363
Pronouns: he, him, his

www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org/>
Live the life you Want.


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