[Ohio-Talk] Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, Tuesday April 12 from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M.

[Christopher Sabine]

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio cordially invites you to our first program, "We Just Happened to be Blind: A Discussion of the Diverse Groups within the National Federation of the Blind in the Ohio Affiliate". We are holding this program on Tuesday April 12 2022 from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. in the Ohio Zoom Room.


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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.


The agenda for our program is as follows:

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


We hope you can attend this important event as we work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Ohio.

Very Best Regards,

Christopher Sabine