Vision of Success
IFB workers show what they are made of
BY LAYLA FARMER
THE CHRONICLE
Mayor Allen Joines visited
Winston-Salem Industries for
the Blind (1FB) last week, to
issue a proclamation declaring
Oct. 1 5 "White Cane Safety
Day" across the city.
"You are a major econom
ic impact in our community, a
major employer in our com
munity and you're also con
tributing in so many ways
across the country," Joines
told the 1FB employees that
gathered in the facility's cafe
teria last Thursday to hear his
presentation. "...
Congratulations to all of you
for the great work that you
do."
A national initiative. White
Cane Safety Day was created
as a way to recognize the
accomplishments of individu
als across the country who are
blind and visually impaired.
The observance draws its
name from the distinctive
canes that are often .used by
people with visual impair
ments. Though it is a tell tale
sign of the disability, the white
cane is also one of the greatest
tools for independence a per
son with visual impairments
can possess, proponents of the
day say.
Like the canes, IFB offers
an opportunity for greater self
sufficiency to hundreds of
individuals in the local com
munity who are blind or visu
ally impaired. The not-for
'<*? y * Phott* by Layla farmer
Executive Director David Horton, left, introduces Mayor Allen Joines to IFB employees .
profit ^is home to more than
340 employees; roughly 200
of whom are blind or visually
impaired. Mattresses, military
clothing, commissary items
for base stores, office supplies
and prescription glasses are
among the items manufactured
at the facility off North Point
Blvd. The facility is equipped
with adaptive technology,
which makes it possible for
people who are visually
impaired to perform the same
duties that any sighted person
could.
"Our biggest mission is
training and employment and
upward mobility," said David
Barnwell, president of A
Brighter Path Foundation,
IFB's newly established non
profit. "...We're always look
ing for creative ways to try to
employ more people."
The organization has
increased its revenue, and its
ability to employ more people
greatly over the last decade,
Barnwell said.
"We've just had some real
ly exponential growth recent
ly, and that's something we're
really proud of," he related.
"It's unbelievable ... the num
ber of people we're able to
employ." ?
IFB Employee of the Year
Roderick Wilson, affectionate
ly known to his colleagues as
"Mr. IFB," said he enjoys the
camaraderie he's experienced
at IFB.
"It's hard to really explain
the overall experience other
than the abundance of love,"
said Wilson, who was blinded
at age 18 after being shot in
Anastasia Powell
the face. "There's an outpour
ing of love . . . from the admin
istration ail the way down to
my coworkers."
In addition to steady work
and a decent paycheck, IFB
offers^ a variety of services to
the community. Its Student
Enrichment Experience (SEE) j
and Focus on Literacy pro
grams are extended to those
who have challenges with their
vision, as is the Community
Low Vision Center, which is
also on-site.
Staff members are invited
to take part in a variety of
enrichment opportunities,
which range from computer
and photography classes to
swimming, public speaking
and more.
Anastasia Powell, a seam
stress in the Army T-shirt
department, says the extra
amenities available at IFB are
A Brighter Path's David
Barnwell with Roderick
Wilson (right).
what make it special.
"The neat thing about this
shop is they not only train you
to have a skill, but they have
many other programs that you
can use outside of the place,"
she commented.
Powell says being
employed at IFB for the last
five years has changed her out
look on life for the better.
"It's made me more confi
dent; my husband says I'm
fearless now," remarked the
mother of three. .' "When
you're bound with a disability,
sometimes you feel like it's the
end of the world, but here,
they allow you to know its
not."
For more information
about Winston-Salem
Industries for the Blind, visit
www.wsifb.com or call (336)
759-0551.
First Ladies
from page AJ
the work that they do.
Dressed in their Sunday
finest, the women were
escorted into the room one
by one, encouraged by
cheers from the crowd of
more than 200 attendees.
The luncheon included
prayers, song and even a
"church dress" fashion show
put on by the J.T. Lewis
Modeling Troupe.
"This was a labor of
love," Doris Herrell, presi
dent of Delta Visions and
chair of the luncheon, told
the honorees. "...We
thought this (event) was pret
ty special, just like you.
First Lady Deloris
Huntley of Alpha and Omega
Church of Faith said she was
flattered to be recognized by
the group.
"Our job is huge, but we
enjoy doing it," she said of
first ladies. "I think it's great
being recognized for doing
what you enjoy doing."
Bishop John Huntley, her
husband of 44 years, said his
wife's dedication to the
church is unwavering.
"One thing I like about
her (is) she's in the church
everyday," he stated.
"...You don't have to make
an appointment to come see
me or her. That's what we
desired when we came into
the ministry - to serve the
people. That's what it's all
about."
Pastor Mary Duncan said
she hoped the luncheon
would renew the spirits of all
the women who participated.
"The love that was shown
here today was so needed,"
she remarked. "This should
encourage them to reach out
more into the community
because they are worthy."
Darryl Napper, pastor of
Greensboro-based New
Calvary Baptist Church, said
he was thrilled to see his
wife, Dinina, honored.
"I love it," the pastor said
with a wide grin. "She is a
phenomenal woman; she
keeps me balanced."
Dinina Napper said she
jumped at the chance to rub
elbows with some of her fel
low first ladies.
"It has been wonderful; I
have enjoyed every minute,
she declared. "It feels won
derful just knowing that
somebody wants to celebrate
us (first ladies). It just gives
us that extra boost to contin
ue doing what we do."
The other guests of honor
were; Lady Shirley Churn,
Mt. Zion Baptist; Lady
Luellen Curry Eversley,
Dellabrook Presbyterian;
Lady Hattie Fulwood, St.
Mark Baptist; Lady Delores
Griffey, Mt. Carmel Baptist;
Lady Constance Hash,
Bethlehem Baptist; Lady
Joyce Hash, St. Peter's
Photo by Ray Bailey
From left , seated: Joe Walker Jr. with his mother, First Lady Mattie Walker; First Lady
Pauline Moore and Pastor Green Moore; and First Lady Peggy Moore. Back row: Pastor
and First Lady Daryl and Dinina Napper and Pastor and First Lady Nathan and
Wyndalynn Scovens.
Photo by Ray Bailey
From left, seated: Evelyn Terry, Waymon and Leola Monroe, Gloria Lewis, First Lady
Hattie Fulwood, Rev. James Fulwood and First Lady Mazarene McConnel. Back row:
Elder and First Lady Henry E. Millner and Pastor Mack H.L. McConnel.
Hartsfield
Herrell
Swinton
World Outreach Center;
Lady Gloria Lewis, St. John
Missionary Baptist; Lady
Mazarene McConnel, St.
James Missionary Baptist;
Lady Jeanette Millner, St.
John Apostolic; Lady Leola
Monroe, Solid Rock Baptist;
Lady Pauline S. Moore, St.
John Baptist of Oxton, Va.;
Lady Peggy Moore, Wesley
Chapel United Methodist of
Elkin; Lady Wyvondalynn
Scovens, Galilee Missionary
Baptist; Lady Barbara
Stowe, Messiah Missionary
Baptist of Pinnacle; Lady
Diane Stowe, Exodus United
Baptist; Lady Evelyn Terry,
Mocksville Second
Presbyterian; Lady Mattie
os bv Layla Farmer
Quayshaun Hall sings.
Walker, St. Jones Chapel
Missionary Baptist of
Reidsville; Lady Courtney B.
Williams, Shiloh Missionary
Baptist of Mt. Airy; and
Lady Emily Williams,
Yadkin Star Baptist Church
of Lexington.
Bishop J.C. Hash of St. Peter's World Outreach escorts his
wife, Lady Joyce Hash.
i ^
Bishop and First Lady Huntley.
Pastor Mack H.L. McConnel with Lady Mazarene
McConnel of St. James Missionary Baptist.
Pastor Johnny Stove of Exodus Baptist escorts First Lady
Diane Stowe.
Messiah Missionary Baptist Church (Mt. Airy) Pastor Steve
Stowe escorts Lady Barbara Stowe.