<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cleveland,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We have returned from one of the most eventful opportunities yet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>As you know, many of our members along with President Payne and family members of Renee, Louis Johnson, Darcel Arrington, Tillman Appling, Suzanne’s grandson, Johnathan Brown and a potential member, Mary Castor traveled to DC and toured the African American Library and the Library of Congress. Along with that, we were given a tour of our home, the Jernigan Institute. It has changed and the upgrades are outstanding. Members purchased items in the Independence Market and had a delightful and educational experience in the Technology Center and the Tenbroek Library. We are in one piece and grateful to be home.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please keep Jackie Schieman in your prayers as she goes through surgery this week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Also, keep Cecil Jones in prayer as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We also learned today, Gloria Robinson lost her sister. Do the same for her and say prayers for the family.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Cleveland Chapter will hold our annual monthly meeting on September 20, 2025 at the Cuyahoga Library, located at 3545 Fulton RD. The meeting will start at 3:30 to 5:00 PM. EDT. There will be a zoom option as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Also, on the same day, September 20<sup>th</sup>, I am requesting members to participate in the 4<sup>th</sup> annual March for Access. Wilbert Turner has been selected as a speaker on transportation access, such as Paratransit and walking along sidewalks. The event will begin at 10:00 AM. To noon. There will be resource tables, posters and a rally. The address of this event is 127 Public Square. Please attend and wear your NFB Gear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Note: After the rally, we will go into the Cleveland Jack Casino for the buffet. The cost is $20. Then we will travel to the meeting from there. So, if you are traveling by Paratransit, here is what you should request.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Note: the pickup and drop off addresses on Public Square are different.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Saturday, September 20, 2025:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>First stop: Drop off at 127 Public Square at 10:00AM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Second trip: Pickup at 1 Public Square Going to 3545 Fulton RD to arrive at 3:15PM<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Finally: Pick up at 3545 Fulton RD to go home at 5:00PM<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cleveland, I am asking everyone who can travel to Columbus for the Ohio 14C Task Force Legislative Advocacy Day to notify me. The NFB of Ohio along with various advocacy networks and organizations will be at the State House in Columbus on Tuesday, October 7<sup>th</sup>. We will be meeting with legislators to educate them on HB225, which will phase out subminimum wages for workers with disabilities. These meetings will be in person or virtual depending upon your availability. However, President Payne, would like many to be in person. There is a registration ling for you to sign up. Meetings will be scheduled accordingly. Please alert me if you can attend as I will assist with the link. This will be discussed at our chapter meeting on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Elections in the Cleveland Chapter will take place during the October meeting. There are two Cleveland Board seats open, Theresa McKenney and Robert Campbell. If you are wishing to run for a seat, contact “William Turner, 330-328-9863. William Turner and Chasity Gilliam will be the 2025 Nominating Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cleveland will be in the community during October as well. There are several dates of awareness, White Cane Safety Day, Blind Equality Achievement Month and Disability Employment Awareness Month. Please come up with ideas on how to honor and celebrate these important events. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Cleveland, we will discuss whether our chapter members need to update their demographics on Saturday. If so, there is a process that you would need to follow in the Membership Portal, such as adding new addresses, telephone numbers, emails and even names. Every member has a link to this portal to update information. Even if you do not have an email, you can make changes by calling the Jernigan Institute.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please make your reservation for the Ohio State Convention and Preregistration is also open for you to do this as well. Do not wait!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Finally, the topic this month is integrity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dynasty Lavender, Wilbert Turner and Sharon Jackson will provide insight on what is integrity. How do you build it and cultivate it? And how can you uplift others with it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Zenobia Whittaker has been appointed to be Cleveland’s Consumer advocate. She will bring to the membership helpful information on tools and products that will enhance the chapters well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>///<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>By popular demand, the Cleveland Voice Box will return starting this month. This will be communicated in the meeting as well on Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hope to see you on Saturday and bring a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Suzanne M. Hartfield Turner</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ohio Legislative Director<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cleveland Chapter, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:24.0pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:18.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>P: (216) 990-6199<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>W: NFBOhio.ORG<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://www.facebook.com/ohiosblind/photos/</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>