Aaron’s Opinion Education

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Aaron’s Opinion

The golden thread of resilience with Goddest

Sun, 28 Sep 2025
Goddest Jenkins – Advocate, Visionary Leader, and Champion for Inclusion


Goddest Jenkins is a dynamic force in advocacy, leadership, and empowerment. A proud survivor, community leader, and fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion, she is redefining what’s possible beyond physical limitations and societal expectations.

In 2008, Goddest’s life took a dramatic turn when she survived a devastating five-car collision that left her in a coma for seven months. As a result of the accident, she became legally blind. Rather than allowing her circumstances to define her, she emerged with a powerful new perspective—one that has shaped her life’s mission. Living by the mantra, “It took losing my physical sight to gain true vision,” Goddest has turned adversity into a platform for purpose.

Her journey of resilience extends beyond her accident. For two decades, Goddest endured domestic violence—a hidden battle she courageously fought even after losing her sight. This painful chapter ultimately led to the permanent loss of sight in her left eye, but it also revealed her extraordinary strength. Today, she speaks openly about surviving domestic violence, breaking the silence to empower others to seek safety and healing.

Her list of accomplishments is as groundbreaking as it is inspirational. In 2022, she made history by winning the Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant, becoming a national symbol of strength and beauty beyond vision. In 2023, she broke another barrier by becoming the first-ever legally blind woman to serve as an official pageant director, leading the Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant with compassion and bold leadership.

She went on to earn the title of Miss Black America Elegant Diva in 2023—the first legally blind African-American woman to receive it—and was crowned Miss Corporate America in 2024. In both 2023 and 2024, she was voted one of the Top Most Influential Women by 180 Life Celebrity Magazine.

Goddest holds two master’s degrees: one in Visual Rehabilitation from the University of Massachusetts, and another in Social Work with a specialization in Mental Health from Nova Southeastern University. Her global impact expanded in 2023 when she was appointed the U.S. Ambassador for the Blind and Visually Impaired by the United Nations. In this role, she has brought humanitarian aid and accessible education to communities in Cameroon, Liberia, and Uganda.

One of her greatest accomplishments to date is becoming the first-ever legally blind certified national CM3 Credible Messenger—a distinction that honors her commitment to youth mentorship and violence prevention. As a CM3 Credible Messenger, Goddest works to combat youth crime and gun violence by mentoring at-risk youth and providing hope through real-life transformation. She regularly visits juvenile detention centers and prisons, sharing her story and advocating for prevention before detention.

This work is deeply personal. Goddest grew up in an environment shaped by gang involvement and systemic incarceration. Her mother, father, and both brothers were all sentenced to life in prison—with her brothers receiving those sentences as juveniles. She tragically lost both her mother and one of her brothers while they were incarcerated. In their memory, she has dedicated her life to breaking the cycle—empowering youth and families to avoid the paths that led her own loved ones to incarceration. Through global collaboration with other mentors and organizations, she is on a mission to prevent families from experiencing the heartbreak that shaped her early life.

Goddest Jenkins is also a powerful motivational speaker, having traveled to more than 23 states and delivered over 80 inspirational speeches on stages including conferences, expos, college campuses, graduations, churches, and political forums—spreading her message of hope, healing, and possibility.

On October 10, 2023, the City of Orlando honored her with Goddest Jenkins Day in celebration of Blind Awareness Month. On September 13, 2025, Goddest Jenkins made history as the first-ever legally blind African-American woman to receive the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious recognition of her trailblazing advocacy and service.

She is the founder of Queens Raising Queens Inc., a nonprofit empowering women of all ages to rise in their purpose. As a domestic violence survivor and mental health advocate, Goddest Jenkins continues to prove that with faith the size of a mustard seed, anything is possible—and limitations are just stepping stones to greatness.

Hey,

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Aaron Richmond

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An awesome AI world with Shawn Keen

Sat, 20 Sep 2025
let me know if this works, Shawn Keen, founder of AI for the Blind, a fast-growing global community that helps blind and low-vision people unlock the power of artificial intelligence. With more than 14,600 members across the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond, the group is a daily hub of creativity, problem-solving, and connection. Shawn’s mission is simple but powerful: to show how AI can level the playing field, open new opportunities, and turn learning into earning for people everywhere.
From coaching and community support to music, podcasts, and accessible e-commerce, Shawn is building a nonprofit ecosystem that blends human connection with cutting-edge tools. Under the AI for the Blind banner, he’s helping students, entrepreneurs, and everyday users re-imagine what’s possible. Whether it’s sharing new tech, hosting live events, or guiding members through their first AI-powered projects, Shawn’s work is about building a future where no one is left behind.

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Falling from a chair to a new perspective on life with Grant Matthews

Sat, 13 Sep 2025
Hi there Aaron.
I trust that this mail finds you and yours well.
 
A Little About Me
My name is Grant Matthews. I was born in South Africa in the early 1970s, and for most of my life I was fully sighted and able bodied. 
I lived an active, adventurous life enjoying the outdoors, often drawn to activities that some would call extreme. 
For me, it is about making the most of life, sometimes pushing boundaries and enjoying the thrill.
On April 3rd, 2018, everything changed. 
I lost my eyesight due to optic nerve damage, a consequence of choices I had made. 
At first, I refused to believe it. I visited three different ophthalmologists and eventually a professor in ophthalmology, all in the hope that someone would tell me something different from what the first doctor had said: “Your optic nerves are damaged, and there is no cure.”
That reality was crushing. I felt angry, hopeless, and stuck in self pity, asking over and over, “Why me?” I threw myself into what I call a pity party, convinced that life was over. 
But in time, I realized something important: life doesn’t stop just because we feel lost. And I understood that self pity would only make my situation harder. What I really needed was to accept my altered state of existence, a shift in perspective, and the determination to build a new life, this time, in the dark.
I started learning how to live as a blind person. I registered with the South African National Council for the Blind and joined a college program where I was taught how to use a computer again but this time with accessibility tools. Since the college was close to where my mother lived, I moved back in with her. It didn’t take long before I noticed that something was wrong. She wasn’t the same; her behavior had changed in unsettling ways. 
After visiting her doctor and then a neurologist, she was diagnosed with dementia.
That was another major turning point. Not only did I need to figure out my new reality as a blind person, but I also had to step into the role of caregiver for my mother. My sister, who lives in the UK, struggled to accept the diagnosis, which meant most of the responsibility fell on me.
Within my first year of blindness, I had to learn quickly, how to cook without sight, manage household chores, do laundry, shop for groceries, and take care of day to day life. 
I could have chosen to order online, but I often prefer going out, meeting people, and staying connected.
Caring for my mother taught me patience and humility. Her condition was not her fault, and I had to remind myself of that often.
Alongside these challenges, I began rebuilding parts of my life. I learned how to use Zoom, navigate the web more effectively, and even started experimenting with audio recording and editing in Audacity, which has been both challenging and fun.
Losing my eyesight changed everything. Yes, there are things I can no longer do or choose not to do anymore and there are sights I will never see again. But I’ve come to realize that life is not over! 
Only different and far from over. I’ve discovered new kinds of beauty, met incredible people, and taken on experiences I never would have imagined before.
For example, I was never comfortable with public speaking, so I challenged myself and joined Toastmasters. I also began studying meaning-centered psychotherapy online (a program I’m nearly finished with) which has deepened my understanding of life and people in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
The truth is, when I was fully sighted and able bodied, I never gave much thought to what living with a disability meant. 
Now I’m living that reality.
It’s not always easy, but it has opened my eyes. 
Ironically, in a new way to resilience, growth, and the richness of human experience.
 
I hope that is more or less what you are seeking.
 
With regards to social media, I’m on Facebook and X (@GrantMatth935), I left most of the other platforms when I got too many people asking to join their groups etc. for nudies and such!
 
Kind Regards
Grant M

 


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The audio description legend with Roy Samuelson

Sun, 07 Sep 2025
Roy Samuelson is an award-winning audio description (AD) performer, author, and consultant who collaborates to ensure blind audiences enjoy immersive, emotionally resonant storytelling. With over a decade of experience with thousands of AD projects across Netflix, HBO Max, A24, and more, Roy transforms accessibility from a checkbox into a creative asset.
Insta @roysamuelson

Home Page - Roy Samuelson

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Flying with an eagle named, Oluwakemi

Sun, 31 Aug 2025
Dear listener,

In today’s episode, we’re going to hear a fascinating discussion with, Oluwakemi. Today’s guest is from Nigeria. We are going to talk about the experiences that, Oluwakemi has had around the world and the experiences that she has had in Nigeria. This is a fascinating conversation! We hope you enjoy this conversation. We will provide you with further information below this message so that you can learn more about today’s guest.

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