Email: mekawh@gmail.com
Cellphone number: (360) 689-1678
TikTok page: www.tiktok.com/mektastic
Goodreads page: www.goodreads.com/mektastic
1. Please introduce yourself, indicate the position you are seeking, and explain why you are interested in serving in this role.
My name is Meka White, and I am seeking the position of Board Member for the Board of Publications of the American Council of the Blind. I have been a member of ACB since 2001, and being part of this organization has helped shape so much of who I am today. Through ACB, I have developed leadership skills, formed lasting friendships, and found opportunities to grow alongside people who genuinely care about this community.
Over the years, I have served as both first and second vice president of the Washington Council of the Blind, as well as president of local chapters. In 2016, I was also part of the first class of the JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows program. Nearly ten years later, I would love the opportunity to continue putting those leadership and collaboration skills to work in service to ACB.
In my professional life, I work for Guiding Eyes for the Blind as a Client Services Specialist, where much of my work centers around communication, peer support, and helping people navigate important transitions. I also help work on Embark: The Handler's Herald, a newsletter created for graduates and focuses on resources and connection.
Outside of work, I enjoy discussing books and media through Bookability, TikTok, and the Book Bistro podcast. I love creating fun and welcoming spaces where people can share recommendations, discover new authors and narrators, and connect through storytelling.
I would be honored for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Publications. Writing and media have always been important to me, and I would welcome the chance to collaborate with others to help create publications and media that keep members informed and connected to the larger ACB community.
2. What do you consider your strongest contribution to ACB at the national, state, special-interest affiliate, or local chapter level? Please explain why you view this as your most significant contribution.
One of the contributions I am most proud of is my work on the publication for the Washington Council of the Blind called the Newsline.
During my time as editor, I helped oversee the move to digital formats and worked to make content easier for members to access and enjoy. I loved being part of something that helped keep people informed and connected to what was happening within WCB, as well as collaborating and learning the styles and personalities of others so that we could form a cohesive hole and truly put out an amazing publication.
In 2020, I was honored to receive the Ned E. Freeman Excellence in Writing Award, which meant a great deal to me because I wrote an article about a moment of accessibility in a restaurant that resonated with others. The award encouraged me to continue telling stories that contain moments of connection and were impactful.
I also chaired the Washington Council of the Blind Leadership Seminar, where I developed curriculum and materials focused on encouraging future leaders. One of the things I enjoyed most was watching people grow more comfortable sharing their ideas and finding confidence in their own voices.
This question is challenging to answer because so many people have poured in to me, recognizing my potential. Every seminar I've assisted in hosting, every article I’ve ever written, and every moment I have the opportunity to collaborate with others has made me feel both blessed and accomplished.
3. In your view, what is the most important challenge currently facing ACB? How would you work to help address this challenge if elected?
One of the most important challenges currently facing ACB is helping members truly feel that they are part of this organization and that their voice matters. ACB is made up of local chapters, state affiliates, special interest affiliates, and members at large. Every part of that structure is important because every member is integral to the whole of the organization.
Many people join ACB wanting connection and community but may not always realize how much they have to offer. Some people are natural leaders, while others may simply need encouragement to participate for the first time. Sometimes all it takes is someone inviting them to write an article, join a committee, attend a chapter meeting, or share an idea.
If elected, I will encourage more opportunities for members to become involved and share their stories. I believe publications like the Braille Forum are important because they give people a chance to connect with one another through shared experiences. Some of the most meaningful things I have read over the years have come from members simply speaking from the heart about their lives, challenges, and successes.
Communication helps people feel invested in an organization. When members feel informed and welcomed, they are more likely to participate and take pride in helping shape ACB's future.
4. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the blindness community we serve, and how would you work to advance meaningful change in this organization?
One of the most pressing issues facing the blindness community is helping people know where to turn when they need support, training, or resources. For many people, vision loss can feel overwhelming and isolating, especially in the beginning. Often, someone receives a diagnosis and leaves a doctor's office with very little information about what comes next or what services are available to them.
While there are many wonderful programs and organizations that provide support, navigating those systems while also dealing with a sudden diagnosis becomes confusing and discouraging. Vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs may have long waiting lists. Access to orientation and mobility training or assistive technology instruction may not always happen quickly or easily. Some people may not even know what resources exist or how to begin asking for help.
ACB can play an important role in helping bridge those gaps through communication, mentorship, and community connection. Sometimes one of the most powerful things we can do is help someone feel less alone while also pointing them toward practical resources and support.
I would love to see continued efforts to make information easier to find and understand for both blind individuals and their families. We have the ability to help people feel more connected, informed, and empowered as they learn to navigate vision loss and blindness.