[NFB_of_Georgia] Fwd: Denice Brown’s interview

[Dorothy Griffin]

An Awesome Interview to read about an awesome leader.
Where do you see yourself in our movement?

Passing the Torch: Denice Brown Reflects on 22 Years as Greater
Philadelphia President

By: Kim Y. Stanley

In addition to being the President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter, Denice
Brown is the Treasurer for the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders
, is on the National Scholarship Committee, and finds the time to
mentor members
across the country. Even with such a busy schedule, she foundtime for this
interview. Going over my notes, I realized thatDenice taught school for 22
years and served as the President of GPC for 22 years. Not only that, she ran
her first meeting as President on October 25, 2003 and conducted her last
meeting on October 25, 2025 when she passed the gavel to the newly elected
President, Stacie Leap.

The diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa at two years old did not hold Denice
back from leading a full and productive life. An early diagnosis was made
because her grandmother noticed that in dim light she was bumping into
things. Despite slowly losing her vision, she graduated from Overbrook High
School in Philadelphia, PA and went on to earn a bachelor's and a
master'sdegree
from Temple University. After briefly working at Associated Services for
the Blind as a rehabilitation instructor, she took the test and fulfilled her
lifelong dream to be a teacherfor the School District of Philadelphia.

Although she enjoyed teaching, she struggled with carrying out her
classroom duties. “When my vision began failing in the late 1980s, I didn't
give up my career but asked for accommodations. The school district
provided everything: a computer, scanner, printer, CCTV, large print books,
and a classroom assistant. I retired on my own terms.”

So, how did Denice transition from teaching to President of GPC? It began
with a call to Ted Young of Young Opportunities to obtain assistive
technology. Denice recalled, “I never set out to lead an organization for
22 years, I was simply looking for assistive technology. But sometimes the
things we need most are not the things we're searching for.” She went on to
explain, “It started with a phone call to Ted Young about computers that
speak. His answering machine offered two options, one for his technology
business, two for the NFB. I pressed one, but curiosity about that second
option changed my life. After our meeting, I asked Ted what this National
Federation of the Blind was all about. He explained it was an advocacy
organization and suggested I visit both Philadelphia chapters to learn
more.”

She went to a Keystone Chapter meeting first and planned to go to the
Greater Philadelphia Chapter meeting next. In a twist of fate, Denice had
attended a planning meeting and Gus Jasper and Leon Conoway from the
Greater Philadelphia Chapter invited her to lunch at Reading Terminal. She
immediately felt a connection with Gus and Leon. It was the warmth and
genuine interest in getting to know her that drew her in. After attending
her first GPC meeting in 2001, she knew this was where she belonged.

She joined the chapter and said, “The organization moved quickly with me
and by 2002, I was Second Vice President and still learning the ropes. Then
in 2003, outgoing President Lois Holmes approached me about running for
president.” Despite Denice‘s protests, Lois simply said, "You have it.” Leon
kept his promise to mentor her and with that, Denice accepted the role
of President
in 2003.

Her teaching background was the foundation she needed to succeed as
the President
and explained, “All of this shaped how I led the chapter. I wanted our
meetings to be places where people absorbed information and felt empowered
to act. When members started attending conventions and the Washington
Seminar, when they began staffing our public awareness tables and speaking
confidently about the NFB, I knew we were building something meaningful.
Some would listen to me first, then find their own voice. Watching people
come out of their shells, learning to travel independently, growing from
passive meeting attendees to active advocates—that was my light bulb moment
all over again.”

Denice is still clear about her thoughts on the chapter's future. "My hope
for GPC is that they continue to grow, they continue to learn more about
the National Federation of the Blind, that they continue to work together."
Concerning her feelings about her successor, Denice enthusiastically said, “I
am excited to see our new President, Stacie Leap, and her Board take us to
new heights. We're getting younger members now, which we desperately need.
If we do not grow, we will not survive.”

Will she disappear now that she has stepped down as President? Without
hesitation, she said, “Absolutely not. I will be at the normal events. And
she said, I will be at chapter meetings, different fundraisers. I still
plan to attend National Conventions, State Conventions, Washington Seminars,
you know, because this is my organization too." Denice summed up her NFB
journey by saying, “Twenty-five years ago, I walked in looking for
technology and I found family instead.”
Sent from My IPhone


-- 
Dorothy Griffin - President
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia
dgriffin at nfbga.org
770-374-4832

The National Federation of the Blind 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. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.
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