[NFBV-Announce] Announcing the 2026 Virginia Chapter Leadership Institute

[Joe Orozco]

Hello everyone,

 

>From time to time, it becomes apparent that the Virginia affiliate has
cultivated enough leadership potential to warrant leadership development
training. This keeps our chapter and division boards, and various
committees, alive with new perspectives and fresh ideas.

 

In mid-November 2025, President Soforenko proposed a new iteration of the
Chapter Leadership Institute (CLI) via email to the members of the Virginia
affiliate's board of directors. I introduced the motion. Sandy Halverson
seconded the motion, and the proposal received nearly unanimous approval by
the November 30 deadline to move forward with a budget of $7,500 for the
program, running from January to December in 2026. 

 

Recommendations for the program were made by members of the virginia
Affiliate Board of Directors during the month of November. Past participants
in prior Virginia Affiliate leadership development programs were ineligible.

Interviews were conducted in December.

 

The following individuals have been selected for the 2026 Virginia Chapter
Leadership Institute cohort:

 

1.	Rachelle Buenaventura - Chesapeake Bay
2.	Chris Christie - Fairfax
3.	Jahmil Garrett-Bey Greater Alexandria and VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF
BLIND STUDENTS
4.	Kandace Haney - Greater Loudoun

5.     Mario Ibrahim - Greater Alexandria and VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF BLIND
STUDENTS

6.	Chris Infante - Richmond
7.	LaQuon Johnson - Tidewater
8.	Charles McLeod - Greater Williamsburg

 

Congratulations to the outstanding members selected for the new cohort of
the CLI!

 

Through this program, the NFB of Virginia is investing in building the
skills, relationships, and confidence that emerging leaders need to serve
effectively at the state and local levels. Participants will engage in
meaningful learning, real-world projects, and mentoring designed to deepen
their understanding of the Federation philosophy and translate it into
action. By doing so, we are preparing leaders who will carry forward our
work to expand opportunity, raise expectations, and change what it means to
be blind in the commonwealth.

 

We are grateful to the affiliate board for investing in the future strength
of our organization through this program to develop and empower new leaders.
We are building a stronger, more dynamic Federation that will continue to
transform lives for years to come.

 

I look forward to working alongside you in shaping and refining this new
generation of leaders!

 

Very grateful,

 

Joe Orozco

CLI Coordinator, First Vice President

NFB of Virginia

 

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