Who will be the Randolph-Sheppard leaders of tomorrow?  Who will step up and help preserve the Program for future generations of blind people?  Where are our future advocates?  Where are the blind entrepreneurs who will set the example and find creative solutions to new challenges the next quarter century?

Leadership takes on many shapes and sizes.  We need solid leadership on the state level as well as nationally.  We need strong Elected Committees of Blind Vendors.  Having capable blind people who can effectively advocate for themselves and the program is critical whether it be with government administrators or elected officials.  The consumer groups also need effective leadership. 

It is no secret that the Randolph-Sheppard population is aging and so is its leadership.  The National Association of Blind Merchants has begun the process of finding and developing the next generation of leaders with our Emerging Leaders Program. 

NABM President Nicky Gacos is making the Emerging Leaders Program a top priority because he believes in the future of the Randolph-Sheppard Program.  He understands that tomorrow’s program will not look like today’s program but he wants blind people deciding what tomorrow’s program will look like.  The Emerging Leaders Program will help develop our future leaders. 

NABM is seeking people who meet the following criteria: 

1. Is a licensed Randolph-Sheppard vendor
2. Possesses the desire to serve in a leadership capacity for the next decade and beyond
3. Has a reputation as a quality business owner
4. Has a history of being a positive influence
5. Commits to devoting the time required to participate in this program, which will include some travel.

The Emerging Leaders Program will include:

1. A two and ½ day on-site training May 20-22, 2019 in Crystal City, Virginia;
2. Periodic conference calls that will focus on leadership development and relevant issues impacting blind entrepreneurs nationally
3. Special sessions at future BLAST conferences or at other times as might be determined

This will be NABM’s fourth Emerging Leaders class.  Each class generally has approximately one dozen participants.  The alumni of all previous classes will participate on the conference calls and at the special sessions held in conjunction with BLAST. 

One question that we can anticipate is who will pay for travel to the on-site training?  This training qualifies as upward mobility training and State Licensing Agencies can use set aside and/or federal dollars to pay for the training and many states in the past have done this.  We encourage SLAs to support blind entrepreneurs to attend this training.  Based upon the availability of funds and the ability to get corporate sponsorships, NABM may consider financial assistance to the extent practical.  However, it is the responsibility of the individual participant to secure his/her own funding.

If you have questions about the program, you can contact either Ed Birmingham, who President Gacos has appointed to lead this initiative,.at 708-334-3243 or [email protected] .  Also, feel free to call Nicky Gacos at 201-653-1777 or [email protected] or Terry Smith at 865-599-7148 or [email protected]. 

            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.  Toggle panel: Yoast SEO

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