[NFBNJ] Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Across Federation Land—The 50th Annual NFB of NJ State Convention Approacheth… and a Most Distinguished Federation Leader Shall Join Us!

[NFB of NJ President]

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Good People Across *Federation Land!*


Let it be proclaimed from chapter to chapter, from affiliate to affiliate,
and throughout all of *Federation Land* that a grand and historic gathering
soon approacheth!


The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey proudly summoneth one
and all to our *50th Annual State Convention*, a golden celebration of
fellowship, progress, advocacy, strength, and the boundless possibilities
that lie before us.


*Our Theme:*

*“Live the Life You Want — Stronger Together: 50 Years of **Progress and
Possibilities”*

For fifty years, we have marched together, raised expectations, broken
barriers, built champions, and transformed dreams into deeds. Now, as we
mark this mighty milestone, we call upon Federationists, families, friends,
supporters, and allies from near and far to gather with us and help write
the next chapter of our story.


*Mark Thy Calendars!*


*Wednesday, October 21 through Sunday, October 25, 2026**Tropicana Atlantic
City*

2831 Boardwalk
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401


Within these halls shall be found fellowship, learning, celebration,
advocacy, inspiration, and the joyful reunion of old friends and new.


*But hark! There is yet more news to proclaim.*

A *distinguished Federation leader whose strength, vision, and unwavering
commitment have helped advance our movement* shall journey unto the Garden
State to stand with us as we celebrate this historic milestone.

Who might this remarkable leader be?


*Read onward, dear friends, for the proclamation is not yet complete!*

We are delighted and honored to announce that *Mark A. Riccobono, President
of the National Federation of the Blind*, will join us for our 50th Annual
State Convention!


President Riccobono brings to our celebration *strong leadership, lived
experience, and a steadfast belief in the capacity of blind people to live
the lives we want.* His presence will add special meaning to this golden
anniversary as we honor fifty years of progress and look boldly toward the
possibilities yet to come.


So polish thy traveling shoes, prepare thy calendars, gather thy Federation
spirit, and spread these glad tidings throughout

*Federation Land!*





*Fifty years of history. Fifty years of progress. Fifty years of strength.
One Federation family. And a future filled with possibilit*ies!.


Come celebrate with us as we continue to *live the lives we want* and
demonstrate that we are indeed *stronger together*.


Until then, let the proclamation ring throughout *Federation Land*:

*The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey’s 50th Annual State
Convention is coming to Atlantic City!*


And mark this next proclamation well: *next week, look for hotel
reservation information and the official convention pre-registration form.*
The gates to registration shall soon be opened, so watch thy inbox and
prepare to secure thy place at this historic 50th anniversary celebration!


We eagerly await the gathering of our Federation family!

*National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey*


And as this proclamation draweth to a close, we invite all across
Federation Land to read more about the life, service, and leadership of
President Mark A. Riccobono. His biography is pasted below and is also
attached as a Word document for your convenience.

 ****
Mark A. Riccobono
President, National Federation of the Blind



Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mark Riccobono was diagnosed with glaucoma
and aniridia at age five. Nonetheless, Mark attended public schools,
graduating with honors while active in debate and track.



Mark earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. He became a member of its Iron Cross honor
society and was the founding president of the Wisconsin Association of
Blind Students. During senior year, Mark was elected president of the
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Wisconsin.



After graduation, Mark joined the Sears executive trainee program, and
spent his free time advocating for the blind. Then he was appointed to the
Wisconsin State Superintendent’s Blind and Visual Impairment Education
Council and made the first director of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind
and Visually Impaired, an agency responsible for statewide services to
blind children. Afterward he took a position in Baltimore with the NFB and
earned a Master of Science in Educational Studies from the Johns Hopkins
School of Professional Studies in Business and Education.



Mark served as the executive director of the NFB Jernigan Institute—the
only research and training institute developed and directed by the blind.
In 2010-2011, Mark served as an appointed member of the Federal Commission
on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary Education. And
in January 2011 at the Daytona International Speedway, Mark navigated a car
equipped with nonvisual technology for 1.5 miles, demonstrating the first
time a blind individual has driven a street vehicle in public without the
assistance of a sighted person. In 2010-2011, Mark served as an appointed
member of the Federal Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials
(AIM) in Postsecondary Education.



On July 5, 2014, the National Federation of the Blind elected Mark to serve
as its president. The election took place at the national convention of the
National Federation of the Blind, held in Orlando, Florida. He has been
re-elected by the membership every two years since that time.



Mark and his wife, Melissa, live in Baltimore, Maryland, with their three
children.



Mark A. Riccobono
President National Federation of the Blind



Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mark Riccobono was diagnosed with glaucoma
and aniridia at age five. Nonetheless, Mark attended public schools,
graduating with honors while active in debate and track.



Mark earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. He became a member of its Iron Cross honor
society and was the founding president of the Wisconsin Association of
Blind Students. During senior year, Mark was elected president of the
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Wisconsin.



After graduation, Mark joined the Sears executive trainee program, and
spent his free time advocating for the blind. Then he was appointed to the
Wisconsin State Superintendent’s Blind and Visual Impairment Education
Council and made the first director of the Wisconsin Center for the Blind
and Visually Impaired, an agency responsible for statewide services to
blind children. Afterward he took a position in Baltimore with the NFB and
earned a Master of Science in Educational Studies from the Johns Hopkins
School of Professional Studies in Business and Education.



Mark served as the executive director of the NFB Jernigan Institute—the
only research and training institute developed and directed by the blind.
In 2010-2011, Mark served as an appointed member of the Federal Commission
on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) in Postsecondary Education. And
in January 2011 at the Daytona International Speedway, Mark navigated a car
equipped with nonvisual technology for 1.5 miles, demonstrating the first
time a blind individual has driven a street vehicle in public without the
assistance of a sighted person. In 2010-2011, Mark served as an appointed
member of the Federal Commission on Accessible Instructional Materials
(AIM) in Postsecondary Education.



On July 5, 2014, the National Federation of the Blind elected Mark to serve
as its president. The election took place at the national convention of the
National Federation of the Blind, held in Orlando, Florida. He has been
re-elected by the membership every two years since that time.



Mark and his wife, Melissa, live in Baltimore, Maryland, with their three
children.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnj_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260815/50fa157c/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Mark A. Riccobono 2023.docx
Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Size: 13893 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbnj_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260815/50fa157c/attachment.docx>