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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>We’re now ten days away from the early registration deadline for the 62nd annual state convention. Join us on a count down as we highlight the top ten reasons why you should register and be a part of this historic gathering.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>#10: Advancing the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia by Empowering Black Members<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sunday, October 25 - 7 PM<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2020 shook the nation. No greater tragedy has had as momentous an impact on the public consciousness than the course of events that reopened a critical dialogue on racial inequality. Opening this year’s state convention is the newly formed committee of black leaders in the NFB of Virginia affiliate. Join us for an evening of celebration, personal stories, and brainstorming to ensure we build and preserve an inclusive organization representative of the rich heritage that makes Virginia the powerful commonwealth it is.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Highlighting the event is Mr. Ron Brown, Second Vice President of our national parent organization and president of the Indiana affiliate. Ron Brown was born in Gary, Indiana, the first of eight children, to Marzette and Myra Brown on May 15, 1956. When he was a senior in high school, he became blind after he was shot on his way home from a basketball game. At the time he knew nothing about blindness and was overwhelmed by the feeling that his entire life had been radically changed in an instant. One of the first painful lessons he learned was that many of his friends could not deal with his blindness and stayed away from him. Luckily he began to make new friends, members of the National Federation of the Blind. They became inspiring role models for Ron, teaching him that it was respectable to be blind and that he could continue to strive for the goals he had set himself.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Learn more of Ron’s story here:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drUs9oTfMLo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drUs9oTfMLo</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To register for the convention, visit:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>http://nfbv.org/registration<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe Orozco, Convention Organization and Arrangements<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>