Karl Smith (Graduated October, 1989)

Bio: Karl Smith has been a member of the LCB board of directors for over 20 years,

serving as secretary, Vice Chairman and, since 2018 as Chairman of the board. Karl

graduated from LCB in October of 1989 and since then has operated his own access

technology consulting business. He represents most of the major access technology

companies and is an experienced technology demonstrator and trainer.

Karl has five children including two girls adopted from Viet Nam and his youngest daughter

adopted from Guatemala. He has seven grandchildren.

Karl is an active member of the National Federation of the Blind of Utah where he lives and

has served as a member of both state and chapter boards and as state President for

fifteen years in the late 1980s and early 90s. He has also attended several state NFB

conventions as a national representative at the request of Mark Riccobono, President of the

National Federation of the Blind.

Noel Nightingale (Graduated February, 1995)

Bio: Noel Nightingale serves as the Louisiana Center for the Blind Board of

Directors’ vice president. Noel graduated from LCB in 1995 after earning a law degree from

the University of Washington School of Law and taking the bar exam the previous year.

Immediately after graduating from LCB, Noel practiced environmental law with a law firm in

Seattle. Noel later served as an Assistant Director of the Washington Department of

Services for the Blind, then as the Regional Commissioner for the federal Rehabilitation

Services Administration for two regions in the far Western United States. Noel is now an

attorney with the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education in Seattle. Noel

is an active member of the National Federation of the Blind and has served in several

leadership positions with the NFB and has served in other volunteer capacities for other

organizations. Noel lives in Seattle, is married, and has three children.

Daphne Mitchell (Graduated February, 2000)

Bio: Daphne Mitchell was introduced to the National Federation of the Blind by

Marie Aamodt, her TVI in 1994, and shortly thereafter, she joined the Caddo-Bossier Chapter

of the NFB of Louisiana. Daphne attended the Summer Training and Employment Project

(STEP) at LCB in 1997 and 1998. After graduating from high school, Daphne enrolled in the Center’s adult program. Daphne holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Louisiana Tech University and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Texas Tech University HSC. In addition, she has earned several graduate certificates focused on leadership. Currently, Daphne manages vocational rehabilitation field services for the New Mexico Commission for the Blind.

Daphne serves as the 1st Vice President of the Albuquerque Chapter, secretary of the Louisiana Center for the Blind Board of Directors and is a board member of the National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals. Daphne credits her success to two powerful influences: the unwavering love and determination instilled in her by her mother, Tolita, and the confidence she gained through her training at the Center and the positive philosophy of the NFB. Her story is a testament to the power of belief and the importance of a strong supportsystem.

Angela Wolf (Graduated August, 1997)

Bio: Angela Wolf currently serves as the Director of Curriculum at the Texas School

for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). She previously taught for over fifteen years in a

variety of classroom settings, including general education, inclusion, resource, and

self-contained at TSBVI. She is an alumni of the Louisiana Center for the Blind, having

attended the summer youth programs and the adult program. She has her undergraduate

degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her graduate degree from the LBJ School

of Public Affairs at UT. She recently completed coursework in Educational Leadership from

the University of North Texas and obtained her principal certification. Angela has presented

and trained on topics such as Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), Social-Emotional Learning

(SEL), self-determination, 21st-Century instruction, and equitable access to academics.

Because of her experiences as a blind woman and the positive philosophy she gained through participating in LCB programs, Angela understands the importance of empowering blind and low vision students to develop the skills and self-determination needed for success.

Ever Lee Hairston (Graduated April, 1991)

Bio: Ever Lee was born and raised on the Cooleemee Plantation, located in

Mocksville, North Carolina. She acknowledges being a product of the segregated South.

While in college at North Carolina Central University, she became involved in the Civil Rights

Movement of the 60’s, under the leadership of Dr. Martin L. King. Under his leadership, the

most profound lesson she learned was advocating for herself. Ever Lee met many

challenges in life, but after acquiring skills from the Louisiana Center for the Blind, she

thrived for 26 years in the counseling career. She retired as Program Director for the

Department of Health and Human Services in New Jersey 2006. She is committed and

dedicated to advocating for the blind. From 2010 to 2023, she served on the National

Federation of the Blind Board of Directors. Representing the National Federation of the Blind has given her immeasurable joy. And an opportunity to encourage others to live the life they are capable of living. A secondary benefit, this allows her to further inspire others by promoting her book, Blind Ambition, One Woman’s Journey to Greatness Despite Her Blindness.

Evelyn Valdez (Graduated January, 2013)

Bio: Evelyn is a young, dynamic Latina with a zest for life and a passion for

exploring the world. She graduated from the Louisiana Center for the Blind in January 2013,

an experience that shaped her resilience, independence, and drive. Known for her fun,

bubbly personality—and an energy that can light up any room—she thrives on building

connections and caring deeply for the people around her. A true food enthusiast and avid

traveler, Evelyn finds joy in discovering new flavors and cultures, always bringing her

warmth, curiosity, and authenticity to every experience.