<div>---------- Forwarded message ---------<br></div><div><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Evelyn</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:evelyn.valdez212@gmail.com">evelyn.valdez212@gmail.com</a>></span><br>Date: Sun, Aug 21, 2022 at 8:53 AM<br>Subject: SAVE THE DATE - GREATER ALEXANDRIA CHAPTER & NFBV PRESENT DIVERSITY THROUGH MY LENS<br></div><div dir="auto"><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">In
the tradition of all that is unique and FANTABULOUS—</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">The
Greater Alexandria Chapter Presents…</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">An
extraordinary evening of caring and sharing; smiles, and perhaps a few tears.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">On
this evening that will challenge your mind and your heart, we ask you to
experience—</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">DIVERSITY
THROUGH MY LENS</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"><span>On
Thursday, August 25, 2022, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.</span>, we will begin with
presentations that will provide useful, and even crucial information for all
people who are blind.</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Then,
the Greater Alexandria Chapter, in collaboration with the NFBV Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion Committee, will introduce you to three extraordinary and
phenomenal women:</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Courier New"><span>o<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Times New Roman">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">Jeanetta
Price, Contributing Author, “The Write 2 Heal: It’s not about the sight lost,
but vision gained”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Courier New"><span>o<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Times New Roman">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">Krystle
Allen, Contributing Author, “The Write 2 Heal: It’s not about the sight lost,
but vision gained”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Courier New"><span>o<span style="font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:Times New Roman">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">Goddest
Johnson, Founder/Owner of F.I.G.H.T LLC., an
organization dedicated to building up communities through divine connections
and community projects.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">*A
biography of each guest is included at the end of this announcement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">We
will be challenged, seduced, entertained, cajoled by the power of their
words.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Through their prose and poetry,
they will grab our emotions and run with them over and under and through a web
of their own creation…and we will be mesmerized.</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Following
our journey through the glorious thicket of their written word, the Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion Committee will lead us further into the analysis and
exploration of the meanings, both blatant and subtle, behind those words just shared.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">And more importantly, through a Fireside
Diversity Chat, we will reach deep inside ourselves to explore how the words of
the women poets affected our minds and hearts and psyche…</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">You
might have guessed…this night will be like no other before it.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">This one is a unique offering that you will
not want to miss!</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Did
I mention we will have several door prizes for the winning, from autographed
copies of the book, “The Write 2 Heal”, to T-Shirts, to a weekend pass to the Blind
Diva Pageant in New Jersey in September…and more!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">We
have only one request of you.</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">Please
bring your favorite pair of sunglasses or a mirror (just trust us on this one),
and, of course, bring an open mind, an open heart, and the promise to fully
engage in the events of the evening.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Here
is your Zoom link to this magical evening:</span><br></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"><span> </span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09</a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><br></p><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Meeting
ID: <span>829 725 6345 Passcode: 20201940</span></span><br></div>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">One
tap mobile <span>+13017158592, 8297256345#</span></span></p>
<div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">PLEASE
PLAN TO ARRIVE BY <span>6:50 P.M.</span> TO RECEIVE YOUR NUMBER FOR THE DOOR PRIZES!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">For more information, contact Renee Valdez at <a>reneerome@yahoo.com</a> or <span>703-966-0836</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">BIOS </span></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif"><br></span></div>
<div><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">Jeanetta
Price, Featured Author</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Jeanetta
Mary Alice Price is the Visionary behind the anthology, “The WRITE 2 Heal.” </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Jeanetta’s mission in life is to help others
tap into their vision by utilizing writing as an instrument of healing. Often,
she reflects on the life of the virtuous woman, Essie Andrus, her biological
and spiritual mother who leads by example with her unwavering faith. God
blessed Jeanetta with the gift to write in order to save her life, and she
wrote herself “Beautifully Healed.”</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Jeanetta is from the little big city in
Southeast Texas called Beaumont. She is a graduate of Lamar University with a
bachelor’s degree in Social Work and master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling. In addition, she is the Founder and CEO of Blind Girl Magic and a
License Mortgage Loan Originator known as the “OUTTA SIGHT MORTGAGE LOAN LADY.”</span><br></div>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">As
a spoken word artist, she hosts, “The WRITE 2 Heal” seminars that include
poets, partner artists, and even audience members who will participate in an
open mic section. The seminars provide a safe poetic space for all participants
to begin their journey of healing while writing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Jeanetta’s
freedom of expression, boldness, vulnerability and confidence set her aside
from other authors, artist, and advocates.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">
</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Unapologetically, her writing is a reflection of her unique personality,
life’s experiences, social injustice, disability and social awareness,
complimented by God given creativity. The fire that resides in her bones spread
wildly around the atmosphere and set others on fire to stand fearless in their
truth as they too write to heal.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Yes,
Jeanetta was given the vision but could not deliver the birth of this book
without the visionaries.</span></p>
<div><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">Krystle
Allen, Featured Author</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Krystle
Allen, a <span>Newark, NJ</span> native, and a contributing author to the newly released
book, “The Write 2 Heal: It’s not about the sight lost, but vision gained”, is
no stranger to work that involves community development, social change, and
grassroots efforts. Krystle served two terms as an AmeriCorps Vista member with
a nonprofit organization: Girls Scouts Heart of New Jersey. Here she worked to
develop volunteer programming, reuniting daughters with their incarcerated
mothers, and build up troops within the Juliette’s House transitional housing
program.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">In 2017, she served as the
marketing planning/development coordinator for the Jewish Renaissance Medical
Center.</span></div>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">During
the pandemic she transitioned Eyes Like Mine, Inc. from in-person programming
to interactive virtual experiences that have led to providing delivered food
packages to visually impaired residents and over $700 in Amazon gift cards to
blind households all over the country. She also introduced over 150 influential
speakers globally to a peer support group within her organization to
participating attendees. In addition, her community influence inspired the
current mayor of the largest municipality in NJ to recognize with a
proclamation, the ADA’s 30th anniversary, for the first time in Newark’s
history. In spite of her vision loss, she has a vision gained to impact one
community at a time, with dedication to serve.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">
</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Some of her current work includes becoming a newly published author in an
anthology written by eight women from around the country, who happen to be blind
or visually impaired, entitled The Write 2 Heal. Additionally, Krystle
completed the American Foundation for the Blind Leaders through the Blind Leaders
Centennial Professional Development Program, where she graduated during the summer
of 2022. Krystle is a community connector sharing her vision one person at a
time.</span></p>
<div><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman,serif">Goddest
Johnson, Special Guest, Founder/Owner of F.I.G.H.T LLC</span></b></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Rising
above expectations is something that comes as no obstacle to Goddest Johnson. In
the early part of her childhood she resided in Chicago, Illinois with her
mother; a single parent who suffered from mental illness and a severe drug
addiction. Goddest was the oldest of her four siblings.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Her childhood took a major change when she
was seven years old and her mother went to prison for life. At this most trying
time in her life, she began her journey as a child of the foster care system. At
sixteen, Goddest became emancipated.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Later
she became the sole guardian of her sister and was determined to show her what
could be possible with determination and staying focused. When she was
twenty-one, her younger brother went to prison and was given a 44-year
sentence.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span></div>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">Despite
the devastation, she went on to obtain her Bachelor’s degree from Nova
Southeastern University and became a nurse. </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">In 2009, her life took a new turn. She was
involved in a tragic car accident which left her legally blind. After 4 years
of rehabilitation therapy where she learned how to walk, talk and function
again, she moved to Orlando, Florida where she then underwent countless eye
surgeries in attempt to regain her sight.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">
</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,serif;font-size:14pt">This
steered Goddest to a new calling. She obtained her Master’s degree in visual
rehabilitation at University of Massachusetts while being legally blind. Goddest
wants you to be the light that shines bright in someone’s life each day.</span></p></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-family:old times,serif;font-size:16px"><div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Ren</b></font><span style="font-weight:bold;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:x-small">é</span><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>e F. Valdez, M.A.</b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Secretary/Treasurer, National Federation of the Blind, </b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Greater Alexandria Chapter</b></font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Chair, NFB of Virginia,</b></font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee</b></font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Co-Chair, NFB of Virginia, </b></font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Fundraising Committee</b></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Vice President, Northern VA Regional Local Human Rights Committee<br></b></font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b><br></b></font></div><div dir="ltr"><font face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="1"><b><span>(703) 966-0836</span></b></font></div><div style="font-size:13px;font-family:verdana,helvetica,sans-serif" dir="ltr"></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><br>Warmly, <br>Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>732-421-7063<br><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org">president@nfbnj.org</a><br><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</a><br></div>