NFBDC - Key Persons
For over 10 years Chrichelle Brown has dedicated her life to advocating for those with disabilities. She attends multiple groups in advocating for the blind from transportation groups to support groups. Chrichelle has a wealth of knowledge of DMV area resources and works for a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the blind. She maintains a full-time job and attends college to further her education while holding multiple seats in the different divisions of the NFB of DC.
A sighted member of the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia (NFB of DC) since 2011. Serving as the treasurer for the NFB of DC Affiliate Chapter, since 2015 (starting 4th term). Mr. Wright currently works for the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living, in Support Services, as a Facilities Specialist and as a Reader for the Blind and those with other challenges. He has been married for 22 years to Renee Flood-Wright, also a sighted member of the NFB of DC and he is the father of two, a son RaSeph Wright who is 20 years old and daughter Sia Li Wright who is 17 years old. LaMont's interests include artistic expression (writing poetry, making music, modeling, acting to name a few), health, spirituality and travelling.
Larry joined the NFB of the District of Columbia in 2012 and is a lifetime member, which includes membership in the Greater Washington and Capital East Chapters. He holds board seats on the DC Affiliate and the Sport and Recreation Division. Larry is a member of the Community Service Division and previously served as president of the Health and Wellness Division and he actively promotes ongoing education of members regarding health issues. Larry is originally from Harlem, New York City and now lives in the District of Columbia. He enjoys music of all genres and classic black movies such as the Imitation of Life. Larry's inspirational quote is "if you want to be part of the picture sometimes you have to step outside of the frame."
Job Titles:
- First Vice - President
- Member of the NFB of District of Columbia
Libra Robinson has been a member of the NFB of District of Columbia (NFB of DC) since 2012. She currently holds several offices, serving our Affiliate as 1st Vice-President, President of the NFB of DC Greater Washington Chapter and President of the NFB of DC Community Service Division. Libra is a native Washingtonian and is a tireless advocate for persons in the blind and low-vision communities.
Mr. Tajuan Farmer is a lifelong resident of Washington, DC. His mother and four brothers continue to live in the District between Wards 5 and 8. Tajuan is an active member of the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia's Legislative Committee. He also serves as the President of the Friends of the DC Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Challenged at MLK Library. Mr. Farmer is also a member of the board of the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes and the Knights of Columbus.
He believes in maintaining a connection with his community by establishing ongoing relationships with diverse organizations throughout the city. Ultimately Mr. Farmer believes in the strength of the people in the disabled community. Equality, opportunity, and security for all disabled people are key tenements to his philosophy on success.
Nakia Faulkner is an empathetic and compassionate woman who loves life, family and helping others. She attended DC Public Schools where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and continued her education at West Virginia State College. Nakia joined the National Federation of the Blind of the District of Columbia in 2017 where she serves on the board of both the Greater Washington Chapter and the Capital East Chapter and member of the Community Service Division of the Greater Washington Chapter. Nakia's membership in the Outsiders Group is further evidence that she is an advocate and is always willing to assist others. The Outsiders Group's motto is to help others step outside of their boundaries by encouraging and motivating members and all others to volunteer doing community outreach service and projects.
Job Titles:
- President
- Affiliate President
Shawn Callaway was born in Washington, DC and grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland. When he was a sophomore at South Carolina State University, a classmate was playing with a gun and accidentally shot Shawn in the temple. The accident resulted in the detachment of his optic nerves, which caused total blindness. Shawn returned to the DC area and received blindness training at the Workforce Technology Center in Baltimore. He credits a blind man named Lou Smith with providing his training and being an early mentor. He also credits his parents for encouraging him throughout his transition to life as a successful blind person.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the NFB Board of Directors, both to give back to the organization as a whole and because so many past and present board members like Fred Schroeder, Anil Lewis, Dr. Joanne Wilson, Sam Gleese, Pam Allen, and Ever Lee Hairston have inspired and mentored me. I will strive to fill the same role for other leaders and members of our great movement, and devote every ounce of my energy to building the Federation and advocating for all blind citizens.
After his rehabilitation training, Shawn earned his associate's degree in psychology from Essex Community College in 1995, his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in 1997, and then his master's in social work from Catholic University of America in 2000. He began his professional career working with the homeless at Catholic Charities, and then went on to counsel children in the Washington, DC public schools system for the city's Department of Behavioral Health. He now works as a program specialist for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, specifically in programs of the Administration on Community Living and the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In 2005, he married Latonya Rollins of Cleveland, Ohio.
Shawn had heard of the National Federation of the Blind in the mid-1990s but was initially convinced by a friend that the organization was too radical for him. In retrospect, he believes he was given bad information and wishes that he had become a Federationist earlier. After being invited to a chapter meeting by Linda Black-White, Shawn finally joined in the spring of 2009. He found himself leading the Washington, DC affiliate(link is external) when longtime leader Don Galloway died in 2011.
Shawn already had confidence in most of his blindness skills when he joined the National Federation of the Blind, but he says that he was still apprehensive about becoming a parent. The opportunity to observe and talk to blind parents like Mark and Melissa Riccobono and Tracy Soforenco, as well as a DC Federationist named Vicky Smith, gave him confidence that he could be a successful blind parent. He is now the proud father of his daughter Camille who was born in 2014.
Shawn also credits participation in the NFB with opening up other leadership and community involvement opportunities for him. He has served on the boards of the DC Center for Independent Living and the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind and has chaired the DC rehabilitation council. He currently co-hosts a community radio program called Open Our Eyes on two local stations. In addition, Shawn serves as the President of the DC Friends of the Talking Book and Braille Library and is a member of the DC Blind Bowlers Association. Shawn says, "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the NFB Board of Directors, both to give back to the organization as a whole and because so many past and present board members like Fred Schroeder, Anil Lewis(link is external) , Dr. Joanne Wilson, Sam Gleese, Pam Allen(link is external) , and Ever Lee Hairston(link is external) have inspired and mentored me. I will strive to fill the same role for other leaders and members of our great movement, and devote every ounce of my energy to building the Federation and advocating for all blind citizens."
Steve Lindsey is a native Washingtonian who was educated in the District of Columbia Public Schools and is a proud graduate of Howard University. Steve spent a good portion of his working years as a biomedical scientist and the latter portion of his career in financial services. Throughout his life Steve has been involved in community activities and community service organizations. Steve has been an active member of the National Federation of the Blind since 2014 and has held a number of leadership positions. Steve is purpose driven to make a difference for those around him and for those in the community he serves guided by the lifelong values instilled by the example of his beloved parents.