July 2020

Different Ways to Explore the Blog
By Dan Burke, 27 July, 2020

How we held our first Juneteenth celebration

Two young Black men wearing COVID masks and holding white canes stand under leafy trees.

Last month we celebrated Juneteenth for the first time at the center, thanks to a request made by two of our students, Q and James, shown left to right above.

James is from Georgia and wanted to have a Juneteenth celebration because the day is celebrated back home. Julie readily agreed. Barbecue being the traditional way to celebrate, James determined to grill up burgers and brats for the entire center, with delicious baked beans and corn on the cob, of course. Home Management Instructor Dishon Spears gave him lots of support. Then In philosophy, we read the Emancipation Proclamation and Q led a discussion of its continued importance to Black Americans.

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By Dan Burke, 6 July, 2020

We’re in NFB Convention Mode, Virtually! #NFB20

Bishoy and Mark listening to NFB2020 Convention
Here are Bishoy and Mark taking in the National Association of Blind Merchants meeting, which for those involved in blind vendors programs or aspiring to be, is always crammed with a mix of exciting entrepreneurial presentations and gritty details about things like cashless systems.

Every summer we pack ourselves up, staff, ITP students and summer students, and head out to the National Federation of the Blind convention, wherever that may be – Orlando, Dallas, Las Vegas. This year it was going to be in Houston. It often proves to be one of the most important learning experiences for our blind students during their time in training.

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