LOUISVILLE, KY (August 4, 2022)—Jessica Minneci of Louisville, Kentucky, graduated from the Blind Leaders Development Program at the American Foundation for the Blind’s (AFB) special commencement ceremony on August 2, 2022.
Launched in 2020, the Blind Leaders Development Program was created by AFB to increase upward mobility and create meaningful leadership experiences for individuals who are blind or low vision, who are already employed and in the early stages of their careers.
While in the program, Ms. Minneci and her fellow graduates received extensive training in leadership, networking, communication, and other key skills for advancing in their careers and improving their effectiveness as they achieve higher levels of authority and influence. Other facets of the program included following the Leadership Challenge curriculum, attending a series of webinars, and being paired with a successful blind or low vision mentor who provided honest advice and feedback about what it takes to succeed in the workforce. Ms. Minneci was among 18 graduates of the Centennial Cohort, named as such in light of AFB celebrating 100 years advocating on behalf of those who are blind or have low vision throughout 2021.
Ms. Minneci is a Communications Associate at the American Printing House for the Blind, where her duties include compiling submissions, writing articles for, and editing APH’s newsletter for educators and consumers, APH News. She also writes and edits blog posts for the APH website; creates and executes email campaigns for new APH Press titles; and edits and publishes the quarterly employee newsletter, InTouch. She is a graduate from Seton Hill University with a Bachelor’s in English, Creative Writing; a Minor in Communication; and a Certificate in Genre Writing. Before joining APH, she worked as an Archivist Intern for the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill at Caritas Christi, located on the Seton Hill campus. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill. She also has a yellow Labrador guide dog named Joyce from Guide Dogs for the Blind in California, who she loves to go hiking with.
“These 18 professionals, including Jessica, have honed their knowledge and skills to take on greater authority and responsibility in their professional fields,” said Neva Fairchild, who oversees the program. “Due to their intensive learning and practice, as well as the work of their mentors, for whom we are all grateful, Jessica and her fellow graduates now have the imperative to create and sustain a more inclusive workforce.”
Since its inception in 2020, the program has seen a steady rise in applicants. The recently-launched third cohort is the largest class to date. For more information, visit AFB.org/BlindLeaders.
