49th Annual State Convention Sponsors

The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey proudly recognizes the generous sponsors who make our 49th Annual State Convention possible. Their support helps us empower blind New Jerseyans through advocacy, education, technology, and leadership. Click here to see the full list of sponsors!

2025 Leadership Seminar

Alba is smiling broadly and holding two pieces of a broken wooden board that she broke in the "Breaking Barriers" activity.

Four people are seated at a table. Andrew Smith, a man wearing a gray shirt, is talking into a microphone. Annemarie Cooke and the rest are listening.

Five people are seated at a gray table in a room filled with bookshelves. Andy, Bea, and Emmanuelle are listening with other participants at the table to a presentation.

Anne Marie Harris, Dorian, Ed, Annemarie Cooke, along with others, are seated at a black conference table with microphones in front of some of the participants.

Annemarie, Nancy, Tony, Jocelyn, and Dorian, along with others, are seated around a conference table in lively conversation.

Bea and Roman stand beside a display featuring a black and white photograph of Dr. Jernigan holding a white cane and speaking into a microphone.

Four people, including Breeanna, Elizabeth, and Krystle, are seated at a table engaged in a group activity.

A candid shot of leaders posing for a photo. Many leaders are holding white canes. In the front row, a golden retriever-type guide dog is visible. They are smiling and looking towards the camera, with some individuals making playful faces.

Chris Danielson, Stephanie Cascone, and Linda Melendez are presenting. Stephanie Cascone, smiles as she speaks into a microphone. Linda Melendez laughs as she speaks into a microphone.

Daniella and Bea, are engaged in the "Breaking Barriers" challenge.

Danielle and President Melendez are talking at a conference table to participants.

Danielle is showing Sergio how to break a wood board in the "Breaking Barriers" challenge by showing him the movement hand-over-hand.

Danielle McCann, a person with a white cane, speaks into a microphone and gives a tour to others in a large room.

Danielle McCann holds a stack of wooden boards with her hands extended. Facing her is Linda Melendez with her arms raised and hands open, ready to interact with the boards and begin the "Breaking Barriers" activity.

Danielle McCann is demonstrating the proper hand position to Alba in order to break a wooden board in the "Breaking Barriers" activity. .

Danielle McCann, Linda Melendez, Sergio, Denese, Lia, and others are seated around a conference table.

Gregory, Tony, President Melendez, and Sergio are seated around a conference table listening to a presentation.

A group of leaders are exploring various booths at the NFB Independence Market.

Andy, Bea, Gregory, Tony, James, Ed, Nimisha, and Emmanuelle are seated around a conference table. Emmanuelle is speaking.

A group of eight leaders explore the Jernigan Institute library. they are gathered around a display featuring a picture of Dr. Jernigan. In the front sits a golden retriever-type guide dog. Several members of the group are holding white canes.

A group of attendees of the Leadership Seminar pose for a group photo indoors. Many leaders are holding white canes. In the front row, a golden retriever-type guide dog is partially visible. They are smiling and looking towards the camera.

A group of attendees of the Leadership Seminar pose for a group photo indoors. Many leaders are holding white canes.

A group of attendees of the Leadership Seminar pose for a group photo indoors. Many leaders are holding white canes.

Jim Byrnes and Nimishia Rana are standing close together and smiling, with lanyards around their necks.

Jim Good and Jim Byrnes are holding a wooden board in the "Breaking Barriers" activity. While both meh hold the board, Byrnes prepares to break it.

Jim Good and Nancy Starzinski hold wooden boards and prepare to break them in the "Breaking Barriers" challenge activity.

Jim Good and Denese hold wooden boards and prepare to break them in the "Breaking Barriers" challenge activity.

In a conference room, Lia Stone talks into a microphone. Linda Melendez and Sergio listen attentively to her presentation.

Linda and Nikki are seated at a long black table in a conference room presenting to the leadership Seminar audience. Nikki has a laptop in front of her and speaks into a microphone. As Linda presents, she also speaks into a microphone.

Linda Melendez is standing indoors and holding two pieces of a broken wooden board in her outstretched hands.

In a conference room, Linda Melendez speaks to an audience with a microphone. To her left is Danielle, and to her right is Sergio.

Seven people, including Linda Melendez, Nikki, and Patti Chang sit at a long table in a conference room engaged in an NFBNJ Board Presentation.

NFBNJ Board Members Linda Melendez, Lia Stone, and Tony Santiago sit at a conference room table, along with Patti Chang.

Leaders of the NFBNJ are riding on a bus on their way to the Jernigan Institute. They are seated in blue and black patterned seats along the aisle of the bus, looking in various directions. Some are looking out the windows, while others are talking or looking towards the front or back of the bus.

Leaders are seated around a long black conference table, clapping their hands. A golden retriever-type guide dog is lying on the floor near one of the leaders.

A group of leaders are standing in Utah hall at the Jernigan Institute, an auditorium with rows of blue seats. Several members of the group are holding white canes.

The NFBNJ Board, along with Patti Chang, are seated around a long black table in a conference room.

NFBNJ members are seated around a U-shaped black conference table, sitting in orange office chairs . They are engaged in a meeting.

Nimisha and Linda are standing on either side of a bronze bust of Dr. Jernigan. The bust is displayed on a wooden pedestal with a plaque.

A framed painting of President Riccobono hangs on a wood-paneled wall in a hallway.

Past President Dr. Marc Maurer is standing indoors, holding a white cane in his right hand. A black Braille display is attached to his left side. He is looking slightly to his left.

Patti Chang is standing and speaking into a microphone at a long black table in a conference room. She is holding a white cane in her left hand. Several people are seated around the table, listening to her comments.

President Melendez and Bea, are standing on either side of a bronze bust of Dr. Jernigan. The bust is displayed on a wooden pedestal with a plaque.

President Melendez and Emmanuelle Steplight are standing on either side of a bronze bust of Dr. Jernigan. The bust is displayed on a wooden pedestal with a plaque.

President Melendez is standing indoors in front of two mosaic-style signs related to the National Federation of the Blind. The sign on the right reads "NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND" in large white letters, with the tagline "Live the life you want." underneath in smaller orange letters. The sign on the left features abstract designs incorporating white canes.

Roman is standing indoors next to a bronze bust of President Kenneth Jernigan. Roman is smiling and looking towards the camera, with his left hand resting on the bust's shoulder. The bust is displayed on a wooden pedestal with a plaque.

Roman is standing in a hallway with wood-paneled walls. On the wall are three framed paintings/portraits of previous NFB Presidents.

Sergio and Denese are seated at a long black conference table. Denese appears to be speaking into a microphone, while Sergio is looking towards her.

Steven McCoy and Valerie Frink sit at a conference table listening to a presentation.

Tony and Jocelyn Santiago are seated at a conference table, each with a microphone in front of them. The background features tall shelves filled with numerous files.