[Ohio-Talk] DEI

[Richard Payne]

				We just Happened to be Blind:
				A Discussion of the Diverse Groups within
the National Federation of the Blind in the Ohio Affiliate
		Tuesday April 12, 2022
		7:00 -8:30 P.M.

The purpose of this program is to educate members of the National Federation
of the Blind of Ohio on the diverse groups that exist among members of the
Ohio Affiliate, the national organization, and the Blindness community at
large. By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

●	Describe the ways in which characteristics such as race, gender,
ethnic background, sexual orientation, and disability affect the experiences
of members of the Blind community.
●	Discuss how members of the Federation can create a positive,
welcoming, and hospital environment for members of diverse backgrounds
●	Develop and implement policies and practices designed to promote
diversity in all aspects of Affiliate, Chapter, and Division operations.

This discussion is moderated by Ever Lee Hairston, Sanho Steele-Louchart,
and Jessica Beecham, three distinguished members of the National Federation
of the Blind who all have additional characteristics.

Unanimously elected to the National Federation of the Blind’s Board of
Directors at its 2010 National Convention, Ever Lee Hairston served in
various capacities in the Federation over the years-including fourteen years
as President of the NFB of New Jersey and Nineteen years on the Scholarship
Committee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana
Center for the Blind.

Ever Lee initially earned a teaching degree from North Carolina Central
University and taught high school business courses in New Jersey but was
forced to resign from her position due to impending Blindness from retinitis
pigmentosa.

She joined the National Federation of the Blind in 1987 after attending her
first national convention in Phoenix. She graduated in 1991 from the
Louisiana Center for the Blind, where she learned to master independent
living skills, Braille, cane travel, and assistive technology skills. She
credits her training there with her professional success in several
positions with the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services,
Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

In July 2006 she moved to California, where she continues to devote tireless
hours advocating for the Blind and educate the sighted public about
Blindness. She has a son, Victor, a daughter-in-law, Brenda, and three
grandchildren: Briana, Kendall, and Jasmine. She enjoys traveling, reading,
and spending time with family and friends.

Sanho Steele-Louchart serves as First Vice President of the National
Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma and Secretary of the Affiliate’s
Central Oklahoma Chapter and chairs the National GLBTAI+ Group. Born in
Michigan, he became Blind at age 12 due to retinoschesis and the long-term
effects of retinopathy of prematurity. He began learning the perceptual
navigation techniques developed by Daniel Kish and began working with him
directly through World Access for the Blind.

Sanho has a master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility and a Bachelor’s
in Biocultural Anthropology from Western Michigan University and currently
attends the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

He speaks English, Latin, and Italian and is learning German, Russian, and
Spanish. He has coached students in the United States, Canada, Germany,
Italy, and Mexico and has co-written a book on orientation and Mobility
entitled “The Beginner’s Guide to Echolocation”.

Jessica Beecham serves as President of the Sports and Recreation Division of
the National federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the
Blind’s Colorado Affiliate. She is director of We fit Wellness, a company
that helps people with disabilities and others left behind in the mainstream
fitness movement find accessible, affordable, and nutritional exercise and
nutrition solutions. She is a yoga enthusiast, she loves running, cooking,
and spending time with family.

Program Agenda

We just Happened to be Blind:
A Discussion of the Diverse Groups within the National Federation of the
Blind in the Ohio Affiliate
Tuesday April 12, 2022
7:00 -8:30 P.M.

7:00 -7:10	Introductions

7:10 -7:30	Ever Lee Hairston, Blind and African American

7:30 -7:50	Sanho Steele -Louchart, The GLBTQ+ Experience

7:50 -8:10	Jessica Beecham, Blind and Other Disabilities,

8:10 -8:25	Questions and answers

8:25-8:30	Wrap-Up



Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com>
The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.