[NFBOH-Cleveland] Cleveland Chapter August reminders and new announcements

[smturner.234 at gmail.com]

Cleveland Chapter

Suzanne Turner, President

(216) 990-6199

SMTurner.234 at gmail.com <mailto:SMTurner.234 at gmail.com> 

 

August 15, 2026

 

Cleveland members and friends,

I trust all is well!

If you’re like me, it’s time for school! My granddaughter Jordyn will be entering the eighth grade, while my other two grandchildren, Lauren and Jonathan, will be entering the 10th grade. This will be an active year for the Turner-Wilson-Brown clan. Please say a prayer and lift up children across the country, asking that angels surround them, keep them safe from harm, help them remain focused, and guide the teachers and others who pour into their lives.

 

I have several reminders and a few new announcements. Please read this message in its entirety. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please reach out to me or Vice President Chacity Gilliam. Contact information is provided at the end.

 

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Topics:

1. New Gear

2. BEAM

3. Community Giving

4. Auction/Door Prizes

5. And More!

 

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Division and Committee Meetings

 

Details:

All meetings will be held in the Ohio Zoom Room.

 

- Sharing Solutions: Sunday, August 16 at 7:00 PM

The topic will be community service.

 

- Deafblind Committee: Monday, August 17, at 6:30 PM

Introduction to In-Home Technology: Discover accessibility tips and devices that use vibration to help Deafblind individuals stay aware, connected, safe, and independent at home.

 

- Membership Committee: Tuesday, August 18, at 7:00 PM

Are you a new member who is seeking a mentor at the 80th Ohio State Convention?

Are you a seasoned member who is wanting to build confidence?

Come and join the Membership Committee to learn more.

 

- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee: Wednesday, August 19, at 7:00 PM

If the thought of speaking in front of a group makes your palms sweat, your heart race, or your mind suddenly forget your own name...you're in very good company!

Here's the good news:

Fear of public speaking is one of the most common fears people have—but it doesn't have to control you.

The Ohio Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, welcome Janice Bright from South Carolina where she will present on Public Speaking.

 

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Annual Chapter Picnic 

 

Details:

The Cleveland Chapter will hold its annual picnic on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2:00–6:00 PM at Lakewood Park.

 

Address: 14532 Lake Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107.

 

Please let Vice President Chacity Gilliam know if you are bringing a guest and what food item you will be contributing to the meal.

 

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LEAP Foundation

 

Details:

The Linking Employment and Potential (LEAP) Foundation has invited the Cleveland Chapter to participate in several upcoming events. All members who wish to participate must register for the events. 

On August 18th, Disability Pride Party 

Time: 5pm-8pm 

 Location: Forest City Brewery, 2135 Columbus Road

 

On August 20th, we are hosting a watch party for the 

Ohio Disability Policy Candidates Forum for the Virtual Watch Party. 

Time: noon to 4pm

Location: Parma-Snow branch Library, 2121 Snow Road

 

On August 26th,  we are cohosting with SIL an In-person Town Hall for people with disabilities to share their experiences and issues with local policy makers from Cuyahoga County.

Time: 2pm-4pm

Location: Parma-Powers Branch Library, 6996 Powers Road

 

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BLIND EQUALITY ACHIEVEMENT MONTH (BEAM)

 

Details:

The Cleveland Chapter will participate in a month-long series of activities in the community. We will begin with the Blind Equality Achievement Month Coast-to-Coast Challenge on October 3.

 

More details will be forthcoming.

 

During the Coast-to-Coast Challenge, we will discuss at the picnic how we can raise funds for the National Federation of the Blind. The challenge is designed to get members moving while promoting inclusion, advocacy, and awareness.

 

We plan to walk through the Metroparks wearing our NFB gear and demonstrating the importance of community inclusion. Please come to the picnic with your ideas about how we can raise money during our walk. I have also reached out to the Deltas to assist us with this effort.

 

Also, have you ever thought what a 10-chapter meeting would look like?

 

Ponder no more.

 

More details are coming soon.

 

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White Cane Safety Day

 

Details:

I recently participated in community training focused on pedestrian and bicycle safety. The training also encouraged participants to identify barriers in their communities that could benefit from improvements.

I identified a traffic signal that needed an audible accessibility device. To my surprise and delight, an audible signal was subsequently implemented at Clifton Boulevard and West 117th Street in Cleveland.

Shawn Martin and Milena Zovoli, who live in the neighborhood, discussed with me how active—and potentially dangerous—this crossing was without an accessible audible signal. After contacting both Cleveland and Lakewood, the signal was updated to provide audio output to alert blind pedestrians when it is safe to cross.

To celebrate White Cane Safety Day, I am proposing that we visit this intersection, cross the street together with our white canes, and demonstrate the importance and necessity of accessible pedestrian signals. After showing off our travel skills, we will enjoy a meal at one of the nearby restaurants.

Again, more details will be provided as plans develop.

 

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New NFB Gear

 

Details:

A message from Tomeika Hurt, Fundraising Chair.

 

Members, get ready to show your NFB pride with our new gear!

The Cleveland Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio is excited to announce our latest gear launch!

Orders will be open September 1 through October 9, 2026.

Orders may also be placed in person on September 19 at the Cleveland Chapter meeting or October 3 at the Coast-to-Coast Challenge.

### 👕 Long-Sleeve T-Shirts

- Price: $30

###  Zip-Up Hoodies

- Price: $40

- Colors: black, blue, or purple

- NFB logo on the front left chest

- Eyeball design on the right shoulder 👁️

- “Pledge” down the right sleeve

- Back: “To participate actively in the NFB.”

- Unisex

Together, the design reads:

“I pledge to participate actively in the NFB!”

--- Also New

### Bomber Jacket with Fleece Lining

Designed for warmth and style through fall and winter.

*	Woven label
*	Front zipper
*	Adjustable hood with eyelets and concealed cord locks 
*	Front zippered pockets
*	Water-resistant

- Colors: Navy Blue/White, Black/White, Scarlet Red/White, Purple/White, Green, Black, and Blue

- NFB logo on the left chest

- Clean design with no additional writing

- Unisex

- Price: $80

## 🏃‍♂️ Jogging Suits

Comfortable and stylish for everyday wear.

** The Jogging Outfit have the NFB Logo on left chest and right mid leg.

- Unisex

- Color combinations include:

- Black/White, Black/Gold, Blue/White, Blue/Gold, Red/White, Maroon/White, Red/Black and more.

- Jacket only $45

- Pants only $40

 

Note! Add all items for $2 for 2X and Add $3 for 3X.

 

## 💳 Payment Information

- Zelle payments: Natassha Ricks, Treasurer  at NFB.CLE.treasurer at gmail.com <mailto:NFB.CLE.treasurer at gmail.com> 

- Please add $0.50 for the Zelle fee

- Add in the memo, Cleveland Gear, and call Natassha at (216) 376-9863 to alert her of your payment.

 

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Chapter Meetings

 

Details:

The Cleveland Chapter will hold its monthly meeting on:

- Saturday, September 19, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library

- Saturday, October 24, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library

Please invite a friend to both meetings!

 

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Traveling to Dayton for the 80TH NFB of Ohio Convention

 

Details:

The Cleveland Chapter is chartering a bus to the 80th NFB of Ohio State Convention in Dayton. We will depart Cleveland on Thursday, November 5, and return on Sunday, November 8.

All members traveling with the chapter must be at the McDonald’s located at 3050 Carnegie Avenue at 7:30 AM on November 5. We must leave on time because additional costs will be added to our final bill if we are delayed. Please do not be late.

On November 8, we will leave Dayton at 1:00 PM from the Marriott to return to Cleveland.

If you are considering traveling with the Cleveland Chapter, please contact:

- Tomeika Hurt: 216-820-5404

- Natassha Ricks: 216-376-9863

There is a $30 non-refundable fee, and the round-trip bus fare is $120. All funds must be paid by the September 19th Cleveland Chapter meeting.

 

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Convention Preregistration

 

Details:

Convention pre-registration is open:

- Registration: $30

- Banquet: $55

- Box lunch: $25 (Sliced Roast Beef or Turkey or Walnut Chicken Salad) All come with a cookie, fruit salad, green salad, chips and soda. 

- Give 20: $20 to continue the work of the programs and services of the Ohio affiliate.

 

Pre-registration ends on November 1 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time.

On-site registration will be:

- Registration: $35

- Banquet: $60

Please indicate any food allergies when completing your registration on the website.

NFBOhio.org/convention

 

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Door Prizes and Auction Baskets

 

Details:

All chapters are expected to provide door prizes for the convention and submit a basket for the auction.

Cleveland, please begin thinking about a basket that our chapter can assemble for the not-so-silent auction. Bring your suggestions to the picnic and September 19 meetings.

 

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Community Giving

 

Details:

The Cleveland Chapter will once again provide a generous gift to a nonprofit agency. One organization under consideration is Catholic Charities of Cleveland, which has experienced a significant reduction in its budget and, as a result, has fewer resources available to serve the community.

I am suggesting that we collect new or gently used clothing, shoes, and other accessories that you are no longer using from your closets, under your beds, garages, storage areas, and elsewhere.

Please bring your donations to the September 19 meeting. We will then arrange for Catholic Charities—or another selected nonprofit—to receive these items as a generous gift from the Cleveland Chapter.

If you know of another nonprofit organization that could benefit from our donations, please bring your ideas to the picnic.

 

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Gavel Report

 

Details:

It is award season!

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Awards Committee has distributed the rules and details for submitting several awards, including the Gavel Report for chapters.

Vice President Chacity Gilliam will lead the effort to ensure that our Gavel Report is completed accurately and submitted by October 1.

Chacity will be reaching out to members to document how you have contributed through advocacy, awareness, participation, meetings, programs, national and local activities, PAC participation, Newsline, and more.

She will also assemble a small committee to assist with the report. If you would like to participate, please contact Chacity at 216-644-4374.

 

There are also three additional awards that we will discuss at the August picnic.

 

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ZELLE

Please add 50 cents to your Zelle payment when sending funds.

NFB Cleveland Treasurer:

nfb.cle.treasurer at gmail.com <mailto:nfb.cle.treasurer at gmail.com> 

 

Natasha Ricks, Treasurer

216-376-9863

 

Tomeika Hurt

216-820-5404

 

Thank you all for your continued participation, support, advocacy, and commitment to the Cleveland Chapter. I look forward to seeing everyone at the picnic and at our upcoming meetings and activities.

 

Please stay safe, stay engaged, and continue to spread the word about the important work we are doing in our chapter.

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