2025 Annual Convention: Lead, Love, Live!
By Ronza Othman
The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) held our 59th annual Convention from February 13-16, 2025 in Ocean City at the Ashore Resort and Beach Club. Our theme was “Lead, Love, Live!” This is because, embedded in our work as a movement, both in our external engagement with our partners and those who provide services to Maryland’s blind and low vision population, and internally as we relate to and engage with one another, are the fundamental tenets of leadership and love, which contribute to our ability to live the lives we want. This convention theme celebrated our resilience, creativity, and unrelenting commitment to equal access to information, education, jobs, civil rights, and all the aspects of life in which we participate and envision a future where we navigate the world free from discrimination. Furthermore, this theme highlighted and celebrated the way NFBMB is the preeminent leader in this work. At the 2025 convention, we highlighted our efforts, celebrated our successes, and mapped our way forward.
Our national representative was Norma Crosby. Norma serves as Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind as well as President of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas. Norma and her husband Glenn, a national leader in his own right, have been business owners and Randolph Shepperd vendors for many years. Norma brings an attitude of calmness, grace, and thoughtfulness to everything she does, and the Maryland affiliate is thrilled she was our 2025 national representative.
We kicked off our convention in person with activities beginning on the evening of Thursday, February 13, and adjourned at approximately 1PM on Sunday, February 16. We began Thursday evening with a philosophy seminar and workshops run by President Mark Riccobono and National Representative Norma Crosby. We also held several group meetings. Those interested in deaf-blind issues and those interested in guide dogs also met Thursday.
We continued with programming early on Friday, February 14 with the Board Meeting and Resolutions Committee. The Eastern Shore chapter, our host, provided fun and exciting activities, including Friday night hospitality in the form of Crab Idol, our talent competition, along with our parents’ and students’ divisions. We hosted a spooky storytelling activity over the weekend as well.
The Employment Committee hosted an employment seminar focused on resume writing, review and critiquing, and mock interviews on Friday afternoon. We, once again, held an exhibit hall, where over 30 organizations demonstrated services and goods specifically for the blind. We also held several workshops, including a housing seminar hosted by the NFBMD Advocacy Committee and Senior Issues Division.
The Parents’ Division hosted a seminar on Friday for parents and teachers. Students also held a seminar on Friday, which focused on self-advocacy, reasonable accommodations, and job readiness. The Merchants’ Division hosted a dinner Friday evening for those in the Randolph Sheppard program, other small business owners, and those in commerce, business, and trade-related jobs.
The Blind Parents’ Committee meeting, along with other workshops related to membership, legislation, and other topics, took place on Saturday. Our NFB BELL Academy participants met for a reunion as well. This is just a taste of what occurred.
We experienced many dynamic and interesting presentations during General Session. As usual, we highlighted our work with our partners to ensure high quality services for the blind. We also heard from government officials with whom we’ve worked to help us live the lives we want. We heard from Federationists with interesting careers and hobbies, as well as those with tips and tricks on adjusting to blindness.
The banquet on Saturday evening was as exciting as ever. We heard from our national representative with an inspiring keynote address, celebrated our NFBMD scholarship recipients, and gave some additional awards and recognition.
The convention was a time to have fun and grow, a time to meet new friends and renew old friendships, and a time of inspiration and enthusiasm. Visit our website for highlights from the 2025 NFBMD Convention at https://nfbmd.org.
Join us for the 2026 NFBMD Convention to experience the love, hope, and determination we need to make our dreams a reality. Come experience how, when we lead through love, we can live the lives we want!