Guest Speakers

Bradford & Bryan Manning

At a young age, Bradford and Bryan Manning were both diagnosed with Stargardts disease, which destroys central vision over time. Both had successful careers in the field of finance, but left their jobs to start their luxury clothing company, Two Blind Brothers. The company is focused on clothing of quality and comfort that incorporates the tactile sense of touch and they have braille labels and designs on all their clothing. Within one year, they propelled the small charitable clothing company into one of the fastest growing brads in the country with endorsements from Ellen DeGeneres, Ashton Kutcher, Richard Branson, and many others. Two Blind Brothers donates 100% of its profits to researchers and the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Originally from Charlottesville, both Brad and Bryan graduated from the University of Virginia and currently live in New York. They've been reading braille since they were children and we were so excited for them to share what braille has meant to them, their relationship and their business. 

Volunteer Award Recipients

Christine Booth

Chris Booth has lended her time, talent and dedication over the last eleven years to the blind community and our mission of Braille literacy. She served as treasurer of the Blindfold Challenge for nine years and ran the Blindfold Challenge multiple times (both as a participant and as a sighted guide). She has raised thousands of dollars for NBP and at every turn advocates for Braille literacy. 

Eleana Pham

Ele's passion and drive, not only to volunteer at NBP herself, but also to lead and recruit others to the cause has been an incredible asset to our community. She was instrumental in the inception of the A Million Laughs for Literacy Gala Silent Auction and has served on the auction committee and led the volunteers on that team at the event every since. Ele does whatever it takes to get a job done for NBP!

The ACES Program

Northeastern University

In appreciation of their continuous partnership and dedication to our community through the regular volunteer work of individual Northeastern students at NBP. Often the first people our customers, donors and community members speak with when calling the Press, they are a vital part of our office and are always willing to use their varied skills and interests to serve in special projects wherever they're needed. Our partnership with these individual volunteers, along with the City and Community Engagement Office at Northeastern as a whole, has not noly fulfilled a volunteer need at NBP, but has continually enriched our volunteer program as we form lasting relationships with students over the course of each year.