The IFB Beat 8-10 Edition

 

From the Editor

Welcome! As we continue celebrating 90 years of creating opportunities for people who are blind, this edition is packed with important updates, employee achievements, learning opportunities and ways to get involved.

This Week at a Glance

– Reflections on 90: Meet Michael McBee and learn about his inspiring story.
– Winston-Salem Facility: August 12 General Assembly: join us at 3:15 p.m.
– Annual Plant Inventory Schedule: for Asheville, Clemmons and Winston-Salem
– Book Your Eye Exam: Schedule your annual low vision appointment today.
– Congrats! Our Newest JAWS Graduates: celebrate Noah Davis and Carolyn Jarrett
– Decades & Dessert: Enjoy ice cream and dress in your favorite retro decade.
– Android 101: Build confidence using your Android phone.
– Employee Spotlight Featuring Chyna Winston, Winston-Salem Facility
– Tap In: follow IFB on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
– Shop Rainbow Tarts: a blind-owned business
– 36 Years of ADA: Watch FOX8’s event coverage and learn how you can support accessibility in our community.
– Calling All Veterans: Eligible veterans may qualify for a free pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

 

Thank you for taking a few minutes to stay informed and connected. Have a great week!

Quote: “A successful team is a group of many hands and one mind.” — Bill Bethel

New! Have an HR, history or event-related question you’d like to ask me and have addressed in the 8-17 Beat? Send it to apowell@ifbsolutions.org and check back next week.

Anastasia Powell, Communications Manager
336-245-5698

 

 

Quick Links

– Winston-Salem Support Groups

HR & Opportunities

– Jobs

IFB Beat Phone Lines
Support Group Zoom Links
Beat Archives

 

Reflections on 90

Meet Michael McBee.

Mike has been with IFB for more than 20 years and, in his current role, works as a production assistant in the markers department at our Winston-Salem facility. Born with nystagmus, he credits IFB with helping him find purpose and stability in his career. In 2012, Michael was named IFB’s Overall Employee of the Year.

Access his inspiring video here.

 

 

 

Winston-Salem Facility: August 12 General Assembly

There will be a general assembly meeting held on the manufacturing floor of the Winston-Salem facility on Wednesday, August 12 at 3:15 p.m. We’re looking forward to presenting employee of the month awards for May, June and July. There will be updates and remarks from Dan Kelly, President and CEO.

Supervisors, please be sure to shut down all equipment, fans and other things that contribute to noise on the manufacturing floor promptly at 3:15 p.m. If your workspace is not close to the central offices (outside Travis Guerra’s door), please move closer to ensure you can hear. Any office administration working in the building, your presence will be appreciated.

 

Annual Plant Inventory Schedule

Our annual plant inventories are just around the corner! Please mark your calendars with the dates below and plan accordingly.

Schedule

• Asheville plant: August 13 and 14
• Clemmons warehouse: August 26, 27 and 28
• Winston-Salem plant: September 16, 17 and 18

Additional information and instructions will be shared by your supervisor as each inventory date approaches. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in helping make this year’s inventories a success!

 

Book Your Eye Exam

Are you due for your yearly exam or need a quick checkup? Book an appointment with a low vision specialist today! Visually impaired employees can receive an eye exam for $40.

Asheville, September 9: Dr. Quilla
Winston-Salem, September 10: Dr. Street

To schedule an appointment, Asheville employees should contact Grant Weathers at 828-667-9778. Winston-Salem employees should contact Charity Hampton at 336-245-5672.

 

Congrats! Our Newest JAWS Graduates

Please join us in congratulating two team members on completing basic JAWS training, an important milestone in building accessibility skills and professional growth.

• Noah Davis, IFB Ascend Program – completed June 29, 2026
• Carolyn Jarrett, Workforce Development – completed July 10, 2026

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a screen reader that enables people who are blind or visually impaired to access computers and navigate digital information independently. Completing this training reflects a commitment to continuous learning and expanding workplace skills.

Congratulations, Noah and Carolyn, on this outstanding achievement! We look forward to seeing all you accomplish as you continue your journey at IFB.

 

Decades & Dessert

Ice Cream & Retro Day

 

Get ready to chill out and step back in time as we continue celebrating 90 years of opportunity at IFB.

Join us for a delicious ice cream treat, then show off your favorite retro style by dressing in clothing inspired by one of the decades from the 1930s through the 2020s.

Whether you go vintage, groovy, neon or totally rad, we can’t wait to see your creativity!

Asheville: Wednesday, August 12, during second break
Winston-Salem: Thursday, August 13, during second break

Enjoy a cool treat, snap some fun photos with your coworkers in your retro attire, and help us celebrate 90 amazing years of making a difference. We can’t wait to see everyone dressed to impress from their favorite decade! 🎉🍨

 

 

 

Android 101

Want to get more out of your Android phone? Whether you’re new to Android or want to build your confidence, these hands-on classes are designed to help you succeed.

Classes will cover the basics, including:

• Tapping and swiping with confidence
• Navigating your phone using accessibility features
• Opening and using common apps
• Tips and tricks to make everyday tasks easier

If you’re interested, let your supervisor know. They will work with Morgan Dugan to schedule your appointment and get you started. Learning new technology can help you stay connected, work more efficiently and gain greater independence. Sign up today and keep learning!

 

Employee Spotlight Featuring Chyna Winston, Winston-Salem Facility

Welcome to Employee Spotlight. This week, we are excited to feature Chyna Winston from our markers department.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio.

Q: How long have you been with IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I’ve been with IFB Solutions for 15 years. I moved to North Carolina with my mom when I was 17 years old, and she helped me find IFB.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: I enjoy going to the YMCA, listening to music and relaxing by listening to classic TV shows. I also love spending time with my friends.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: Spaghetti is my favorite!

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: I enjoy having Fridays off, and I really appreciate my supervisors, Tina and Gerald. They make work a great place to be.

Q: What’s a quote or piece of advice you would give to a friend?
A: “Trust in the Lord, and He will take care of you.”

Special thanks to Employee Relations Specialist, Morgan Dugan, for supporting these highlights. Who knows? You might be next in the spotlight! Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.

 

Tap In

Did you know that IFB is active on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn? Check out this week’s post, featuring Michael McBee, and give us a follow!

Access on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

Winston-Salem Support Groups

If you’re interested in attending a support group, please review the update here: https://ifbsolutions.org/the-ifb-beat-12-16-edition/#two-d

 

Community Corner

Shop Rainbow Tarts

Submitted by Carl Williams

Interested in supporting a blind-owned business? Looking for an easy and affordable way to bring your favorite smells to your home or give as a gift? Look no further.

We have wax melts, warmers, soaps, shampoos, conditioners and more. See Carl Williams (Tina Jolly’s department), call 336-970-0650, email info@rainbowtarts.com or visit https://www.rainbowtarts.com. Check back often for sales!

We braille products upon request at no charge and ship within the US via priority flat rate mail. Rainbow Tarts — where everything makes scents!

 

36 Years of ADA

Submitted by Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities

To everyone who joined us for the 36th annual celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act, thank you! Your presence, support and participation helped make this year’s celebration truly meaningful. Whether you attended as a community member, vendor, panelist, volunteer, sponsor or advocate, we are grateful you chose to celebrate with us.

If you missed part of the event — or would like to experience it again — click the link below to watch FOX8’s coverage of the celebration.

FOX8 Coverage Video

As we enter August, we encourage you to continue supporting the spirit of the ADA. Inclusion and accessibility are not one-day conversations — they are year-round commitments. Together, we can continue removing barriers, promoting equal access and creating a community where everyone belongs.

The Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities is also entering an exciting new chapter. Over the coming year, we’ll be introducing a new name, welcoming new members, expanding partnerships throughout the Triad and increasing our efforts to advance accessibility and inclusion.

We want you to be part of that journey. If you have ideas, feedback, or know of accessibility barriers in public spaces, businesses, parks or organizations, please reach out. Your voice helps guide our work and strengthen our advocacy.

Thank you again for believing in our mission and helping make this year’s celebration a success. We look forward to working alongside you as we continue building a more accessible and inclusive community for all.

With gratitude,

Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities
(336) 245-5678, wsmcpd@gmail.com

 

 

HR & Opportunities

Calling All Veterans

If you are a veteran employee who is legally blind, defined as having a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction or a visual field of 20 degrees or less (verified through a VA disability rating decision or SSA determination), you may be eligible to receive a FREE pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses through a special program supported by Meta and the National Industries for the Blind (NIB).

These AI-powered smart glasses can help enhance independence, accessibility and everyday living.

If you’re interested in learning more or applying, please contact Amber Frederick by email at afrederick@ifbsolutions.org or by phone at (336) 245-5619. She will guide you through the entire process, including determining eligibility, completing the application and answering any questions you may have. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!

 

 

Jobs

Accounts Payable  Systems Analyst — Winston-Salem

 Education and Work Experience

• 5+ years of progressive experience in Accounts Payable, Finance Systems, Business Systems Analysis, or a related financial field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Advanced proficiency in ERP Systems, Microsoft Excel, EDI processes, and reporting tools such as Power BI required.

External candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909/jobs/239348

Internal candidates may apply at

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909/jobs/239349?jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

For more information on any of our job opportunities please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.

 

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909. For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@ifbsolutions.org.

 

IFB Beat Phone Lines

English line: 336-245-5691

Spanish line: 336-245-5663

 

Support Group Zoom Links

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/86167111929?pwd=G9vSBWcnTFrMHixqb19TpU7q8sQW1N.1

Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929
Passcode: 992614

One tap mobile:
+13126266799,86167111929# US (Chicago)
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888 475 4499 US Toll-free
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