LOUISVILLE, KY (August 4, 2022)—Krystle Allen of Newark, New Jersey, 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. Allen 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. Allen 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. Allen is no stranger to work that involves community development, social change, and grassroots efforts. She served two terms as an AmeriCorps Vista member with the Girls Scouts Heart of New Jersey, where she worked to develop volunteer programming, reuniting daughters with their incarcerated mothers. In 2017, she served as the marketing planning/development coordinator for the Jewish Renaissance Medical Center.
During the pandemic, she transitioned her nonprofit, Eyes Like Mine, Inc., from in-person programming to an interactive virtual experience have led to providing delivered food packages to visually impaired residents and over $700 in Amazon gift cards to blind households all over the country. Her community influence inspired the mayor to recognize with a proclamation the ADA’s 30th anniversary for the first time in Newark’s history. In spite of her vision loss, she has a vision gained to impact one community at a time with dedication to serve.
“These 18 professionals, including Krystle, 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, Krystle 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.
