Crawley shines a spotlight on Virginia’s visually impaired artists on ‘Shards of Light’
Crawley shines a spotlight on Virginia’s visually impaired artists on ‘Shards of Light’
Each day I listen to the Virginia Voice Radio Broadcasting Service for the blind and vision impaired. When I first heard the commercial for Shards of Light: Voices of the Blind & Vision Impaired, I envisioned a magnificent stained glass window in a cathedral. I thought about how this title symbolized the pieces of broken glass that have now been turned into an awesome picture of beauty and grace. Even though the loss of sight may fracture us, Mr. Crawley gives us a platform to let our inner light shine.
Learn more about Lamont’s professional background as a nonprofit administrator, his involvement with Virginia Voice, and the purpose and goals of his new show Shards of Light: Voices of the Blind & Vision Impaired. Crawley discussed the personal and technological challenges he has overcome in producing the show due to his vision impairment, and the plans to expand the show’s reach to other regions. The conversation also touched on Crawley’s artistic pursuits and future writing projects. Overall, the discussion highlighted Crawley’s passion for empowering the visually impaired community. Shards of Light: Voices of the Blind & Vision Impaired also featured Debra Hill, a Blind Artist, Motivational Speaker, and Writer, with Debra Hill Sings.
Shards of Light: Voices of the Blind & Vision Impaired featuring Debra Hill
I am grateful and humbled to be among the interviewed artists as part of this initiative. I am thankful to Lamont and Virginia Voice for this opportunity.
My interview will air on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 7:30 pm and Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 7:30 pm. You do not want to miss it!
Read my Interview with the creator and Producer of the new Virginia Voice Audio Description Program, Shards of Light: Voices of the Blind & Vision Impaired with Lamont Crawley.
D is for Debra
L is for Lamont
D: Before we begin talking about your show let’s learn a little bit about you. Tell me more about Lamont Crawley.
L: Now retired, my career in the human service domain, primarily as a nonprofit administrator and consultant, spanned close to 40 years. We provided services designed to facilitate individual and organizational development and comprised of adult and juvenile justice; arts and education; government and management consulting; organizational and youth development; substance abuse prevention and treatment; and violence prevention and intervention services.
We aimed to promote wellness by enabling individuals with knowledge, skills, and resources to confront life experiences successfully, thereby empowering them to lead satisfying lives. For example, we provided professional development training, including Organizational Development activities like Building and Strategic Planning; a High School Youth Leadership Initiative—Youth Helping Youth; Conflict Resolution & Peer Mediation Programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, including juvenile correctional facilities. Along with Male Responsibility: A Healthy Relationships Program for Men in Richmond City and Henrico County Jails; Rams & Educational Theater; and so much more. As an artist—painter, sculptor, and photographer, I’ve exhibited locally as well as nationally.
In fact, my first ‘real’ job after graduating from college was developing and facilitating an art program in a juvenile detention facility. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that I haven’t had a public presence as an artist since 2000.
D: That’s very interesting that you’re accustomed to working with a diverse and inclusive population and you’re continuing that work with Virginia Voice. It seems to be a passion of yours too. You’ve provided solutions to a lot of different challenges for all types of people and that’s great.
L: Many moons ago I came to realize and accept that being in service to humanity is my life’s work—my reason for being.
D: Can you tell me more about that?
L: Yes, a very early memory comes to mind, a day when I decided to cut through a little league baseball field on my way home. There was a group of five boys, seemingly 3rd and 4th graders arguing about how to play baseball. Also, there was a group of about seven girls, 2nd and 3rd graders, over to the side playing together but all the while chanting, “We want to play—we want to play baseball too!” So, I asked the boys what was going on and the biggest and oldest of the boys told me that none of the other boys know how to play baseball and they won’t listen to him teaching them how.
He then asked if I would teach them and the other boys concurred. By that time the girls had come over citing their case, begging me to teach them as well. I told the guys that I would be willing to teach them if they allowed the girls to play. They agreed and we met twice a week thereafter for three weeks. That was the summer of 1963—I was 11 and was starting sixth grade that coming school year. Now where does something like that come from?
D: That’s wonderful, have you always lived in Virginia?
L: No, my father was in the Air Force and we moved around quite a bit. I was born in Virginia—it’s the family seat, grand and great-grandparents, etc. We lived in Washington, DC, Germany, Michigan, and New Jersey. I also lived in Ohio prior to moving back to Virginia.
D: Welcome back. Thank you for sharing more of your background, your professional career, and your perspective. I first heard about you while listening to the Virginia Voice Radio Broadcasting show, you introduced the commercial for your new show, Shards of Light: Voices of The Blind & Vision Impaired. How did your journey start with the blind and low-vision
community?
L: I was diagnosed with low-vision in January of 2022 due to a retina hemorrhage in both eyes. Upon securing an appointment with an Ophthalmologist I immediately began researching for other resources and was referred to the Virginia Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired. They provided a safe harbor, along with invaluable tools and guidance when I was most in need. I am eternally grateful for their services which in turn facilitated opening my heart and mind to the blind and vision impaired community—of which I now belong.
Shortly, before I was even conscious of what I was doing, I realized that I started brainstorming possible ways for me to become more involved—to provide some kind of service, to give back. Know that at this point in my impaired odyssey, I do rely on family, friends, and rideshare/government disability transportation services for shopping events, etc. I can no longer drive a vehicle. So about two months after starting treatment I decided that it was time for me to take public transportation (bus) into Richmond, about 17 miles away. But I still needed to arrange a ride from home to the bus stop, about 3.5 miles away.
Upon settling into the rideshare I told the driver what I was doing for the first time in years but particularly since my impairment. She told me that she admired my courage, resilience, and sense of independence, and how needed to take me home to talk with my dad. Since his vision problems, he lives a very isolated existence and would never attempt to maneuver his way in the world like I do. Over the weeks to come I heard many similar heartbreaking stories. The time had come for me to create a viable project—‘Voila’, Shards of Light: Voices of the Blind & Vision Impaired was born.
D: So, how did your collaboration start with Virginia Voice?
L: I have known about Virginia Voice for years. Earlier in my career as a nonprofit administrator, I had a blind employee who was involved with them. Virginia Voice first came to mind as a viable partner for Shards of Light because they were already providing broadcast programming for the blind and vision impaired. In my mind, Shards of Light was a natural fit—a nice addition to the publications my community was already listening to on Virginia Voice broadcasts. Shards of Light highlights the talent and interviews peers from the visually impaired community.
D: It sounds like a perfect collaboration between your idea for Shards of Light and an organization like Virginia Voice. Can you tell us a little more about your purpose for Shards of Light and your expectations and goals, not only for the listener but also for the artists like myself participating in the program?
L: My purpose for creating Shards of Light: Voices of the Blind & Vision Impaired is to aid in building connections and community, as well as play a valuable role in boosting the confidence and self-esteem of the presenters. Who in essence becomes a role model by default. Sharing one’s talent, thoughts, feelings, and experiences via a public format can be helpful to others in ways we’ll never know. For the listener, I hope Shards of Light motivates, educates, informs, and/or inspires to take on new challenges. Ultimately, I want Shards of Light to illuminate the belief that being involved in creative activities makes u6s feel more engaged and resilient; and aids in alleviating anxiety, depression, and stress, while promoting self-understanding and growth.
D: Sounds like we’ll be thrilled with each show. How has this show impacted and changed you? Have you developed any new technological skills?
L: I am elated to be engaged in a project again that aligns with my ‘reason for being’, which is to be of service and empower others to live their full life. I’ve had my share of challenges, like many others, and Shards of Light is a way for people like myself to share their stories and how they
continue to thrive and overcome adversity.
In producing Shards of Light for the first time, I discovered how to conduct personal interviews in a studio environment—sitting at a desk with microphones and recording technology. I’m still not totally comfortable with it all, particularly having to always be mindful of speaking directly into the mics. Although I have low vision, I write out notes for the show. However, I enlarge the text on the computer and/or print-outs for better visibility. I look forward to learning more about a variety of technological production-accessible resources. I want to encourage others to be patient knowing there’s a learning curve that will take place when embarking on something new.
D: Are you still looking for artists to interview?
L: Yes, in this first year, I’m looking to produce a minimum of 25 shows, which means that I am looking for 25-40 writers, musicians,, comedians, and singers.
D: Are you looking for only Virginia artists or expanding it worldwide?
L: At this initial stage, I am going to keep Shards of Light in Virginia—homegrown talent.
D: How can Virginia artists contact you?
L: Call: Virginia Voice at (804) 266-2477 or Email: Lamont Crawley at myvoice4sol@gmail.com
Learn more about Virginia Voice
Meet the Chief Executive Officer, Yvonne Mastromano who joined the Virginia Voice team in January 2022. After moving to Virginia, Mastromano decided to make a career change to broadcast television and was hired by the local NBC affiliate, WWBT-12. Yvonne had the opportunity to become the first person in Richmond to do live traffic reports and quickly earned the moniker of “Traffic Lady.”
She is currently focused on expanding Virginia Voice’s reach to serve more individuals with blindness, vision impairment, and other disabilities, raise awareness, increase funding, and build brand identity.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
Join the American Council of the Blind of Virginia’s Email List
As a member of ACBVA, I encourage you to join our email list to be a part of a vibrant community of visually impaired persons, attend informative monthly online meetings, and learn more about important accessible resources.
For those interested in the benefits of the American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA) organization, you can also become a member, click the link below!
