[NFBNJ] Fwd: CBVI Invites You To Tomorrow's Community Connection Call - Please Share

Tue Apr 14 21:40:10 UTC 2026

--------- Forwarded message ---------
From: CBVI Public-Email <CBVI.Public-Email at dhs.nj.gov>
Date: Tue, Apr 14, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Subject: CBVI Invites You To Tomorrow's Community Connection Call - Please
Share
To: CBVI Public-Email <CBVI.Public-Email at dhs.nj.gov>

*YOU MAY FORWARD THIS EMAIL OR THE ATTACHMENT TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE
INTERESTED OR WHO COULD BENEFIT*

*The NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired *
*Invites You To:*
*The April 2026*
*Community Connection Call*

* #BeTheChange: *
*Focusing On Moving From Passive Awareness to Active Awareness.*
*~Take Personal Responsibility For Managing Stress~*

*Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 10:30am to 12:00pm*

*Hosted by Krystle Allen, CBVI Community Outreach Specialist  *

In April, there are a variety of observances our NJ community can connect
with.
Stress Awareness is recognized this month and across the state thousands
are impacted by stress.
National Poetry Month is celebrated each April. In NJ we have a variety of
open mic events, spoken word clinics, and the Dodge Poetry Festival. April
is also Jazz Appreciation Month.
Did you know the first pageant started in Atlantic City, NJ? April 8th each
year observes International Pageant Day and celebrates all individuals who
are a part of the NJ “Crowned” community with and without disabilities.
Join us as we hear from our Keynote Presenter who will share information
about free family friendly programming and the history of the poetry
festival at NJPAC. Connect with resources providing reflections about blind
individuals who contributed to the history of jazz appreciation observed
this month. Unveil the royalty in yourselves as we hear from two pageant
titleholders, one of which is Mrs. Northern New Jersey International.
Tell a friend to tell a friend!
*Keynote Presenter:*

   - Ysabel Gonzalez, Producer at NJ Performing Arts Center

*Resource Provider:*

   - Mr. Perry "The Maestro" Thompson, Founder/President - The Rhythm and
   Blues Preservation Society
   - Ashley Inniss Independent Beauty Consultant/Ms. Independent 2025 of
   the Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant
   - Dr. Ellen James-Occupational Therapist/Executive of Growing In
   Motion/Mrs. Northern NJ International 2026

The benefits of networking and sharing information are the primary focus of
the Community Connection Calls. This month’s *“In Our Own Voices”*
panelists will share their stories. All are members of New Jersey’s blind,
deafblind, and visually impaired community.

*“In Our Own Voices” Panelists:*

   - Mary Irvine, NFB NJ Northern Chapter member
   - Edward Cash, Dancing with the Blind Champion 2024
   - Delric Pollins Jr. a.k.a. D-Roy, Co-founder at Greater Vision
   Foundation
   - Anthony Lanzilotti, 2nd Vice President/Membership and Outreach
   Chairperson at NJCB, and Treasurer of NJ Statewide Center For Independent
   Living Council

Here are the simple directions for participating in the CBVI Community
Connections Call:

*Option 1: Join via Zoom*

   1. Either Click the Zoom meeting link here: *Join Zoom Meeting*
   <https://dhs-nj-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1611162134?pwd=CqHj9534NT9nKPYzxgdtQjDb4cju7t.1>
   2. Or Open the Zoom App and Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode

*Meeting ID: 161 116 2134*
*Passcode:* *1910*

*Option 2: Join on the phone via One Tap Mobile (click the link from your
mobile device)*

   - *+16468287666,,1611162134#,,,,*1910#* (New York)

*Option 3: Dial-in via Phone*

   1. Dial the conference phone number: *1-646-828-7666*.
   2. Enter the Meeting ID: *161 116 2134* when prompted
   3. When asked for a participant ID, simply press the pound key (#).
   4. Enter the Passcode: *1910*

That's it! You're all set to join the meeting.

*Relay Captioning Link for individuals who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired:*
(At the start time of the event, please login by clicking on the link below)

*https://www.captionedtext.com/client/embed.aspx?EventID=6146009*
<https://www.captionedtext.com/client/embed.aspx?EventID=6146009>

If you have any questions, or would like to be a Community Connections Call
panelist,
please don’t hesitate to email: *Krystle.Allen at dhs.nj.gov*
<Krystle.Allen at dhs.nj.gov> or call: 973-648-4497

This E-mail, including any attachments, may be intended solely for the
personal and confidential use of the sender and recipient(s) named above.
This message may include advisory, consultative and/or deliberative
material and, as such, would be privileged and confidential and not a
public document. Any Information in this e-mail identifying a client of the
Department of Human Services is confidential. If you have received this
e-mail in error, you must not review, transmit, convert to hard copy, copy,
use or disseminate this e-mail or any attachments to it and you must delete
this message. You are requested to notify the sender by return e-mail.
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