Vision loss does not break us; it builds us!
#GoingGrowingGlowing
Home of Dancing With The Blind and Ms. Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant
About Us
Eyes Like Mine Inc. is a non profit 501-C3 organization established in March of 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. It was founded by Krystle Allen, a Newark native, to empower, enlighten, and innovate communities in New Jersey about vision loss and the available resources for people with vision loss. At it’s inception, Elm Inc. was founded with the help of Naquela Wright and Ihsaan R. Muhammad Esq., along with the founder Krystle Allen to introduce a unique pattern of advocacy for individuals who are vision impaired or blind.
Our Mission
Our mission is to raise awareness about the abilities and potential of individuals with vision loss through community service initiatives, comprehensive empowerment workshops, and innovative social change awareness events.
Our Vision
To inspire advocacy by breaking down the societal barriers placed against individuals who are previously or currently experiencing vision loss. Our ultimate goal is to create a more accessible society for individuals who are vision impaired and blind so that they can live, learn, and work in equal opportunities.
Giving Tuesday
We truly value your support over the years and we’re hoping you’ll consider lending your time and network to our mission this GivingTuesday by supporting or fundraising for Eyes Like Mine Inc. On November 28, help us spread the word about the incredible work we do and why you’re passionate about it.
We are hosting a virtual popcorn fundraiser on November 28, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to support our heart filling work to bring awareness to vision loss and vision loss resources. The link to purchase is: https://popup.doublegood.
To interact with our Popcorn fundraiser, we welcome you to start a popup store to reach our goal of $2000. Check our newsletter for instructions!
In addition, you can support our work through a tax-deductible donation via our PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/
Accessible Pharmacy’s Blind Health Expo 2023
Eyes Like Mine is exhibiting at Accessible Pharmacy’s Blind Health Expo 2023. The Blind Health Expo will be the largest virtual expo of healthcare information for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind or have low vision.
#BlindHealthExpo
Date: Friday, December 1st , 2023
Time: 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Venue: Virtual
To register to attend for free, come speak to us, and check out our booth, please visit:
https://www.accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/
Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant 2023 Road Map
Sneaker Ball 2023
Date: October 6th, 2023
Time: 12 PM – 4PM
Venue: 2 Center St, Newark, NJ 07102
For more info, contact Events@eyeslikemine.org
Miss Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant 2023
Eyes Like Mine Inc. presents The Finding Miss. Blind Diva Empowerment Pageant in partnership with Newark Museum of Art. #GOING #GROWING #GLOWING
The “So Special” Edition Advance Tickets: $25 (until October 1st, 2023)
Tickets at the Door: $75
Date: Saturday, October 7th, 2023
Time: 4:00PM until 8:00PM
Location and Address: The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102.
www.Info@newarkmuseumart.org
This venue is acceslink and Uber/Lyft accessible. Event will also be audio described.
To register and for more info contact: events@eyeslikemine.org or info@eyeslikemine.org or 973-327-3035
Eye Screening for Ice Cream Meetup
Eyes Like Mine is organizing Eye Screening with Ice Cream Meetup in partnership with Edison Visionary Lion’s Club. For eye screening, 1 ice cream cone or cup will be exchanged! Sign up for your organization! For making a request eye screening contact us at events@eyeslikemine.org
Miles on a Mission
Click the button below to transfer/donate Miles to Eyes Like Mine Campaign if you are already a member with United Airlines Sign in or if not then Sign Up today.
If you wish to simply donate for Campaign without becoming a member with United Airlines please select DONATE NOW. All donations will be transferred to our campaign by the organization. We sincerely thank you for your support!
2023 Disability Pride Inaugural Photoshoot
Eyes Like Mine organized 2023 Disability Pride Inaugural Photoshoot in partnership with Edison Visionary Lions Club, Shine Portrait Studio and Eye Love Eyewear Collection
Reflection of Dancing with the Blind 2017
Here’s a delightful throwback to Dancing with Blind 2017, featuring our President, Krystle Allen, and the 2016 Champion, Brandon Scott, both of whom are visually impaired. They mesmerized the audience with their enchanting salsa dance to the rhythms of ‘Vivir Mi Vida’ by Marc Anthony.
Support Group
Miss Blind Diva Mondays
Miss Blind Diva Meeting Schedule 2024
February 5 12 19 26
March 4 11 18 25
April 1 8 15 22 29
May 6 13 20 27
June 3 10 17 24 31
August 5 12 19 26
September 2 9 16 23 30
October 7 14 21 28
November 4 11 18 25
December 2 9 16 23 30
Women Support Group
Eyes Like Mine presents an All-Women Support Group. We invite you to join us every second Thursday of the month. Meetings take place from 7 PM – 9 PM EST on Zoom, click the below button to join.
Women Support Group Schedule:
January 4
February 1
March 7
April 4
May 2
June 6
July 4
August 1
September 5
October 3
November 7
December 5
Men Support Group
Eyes Like Mine Inc. presents an All-Male Support Group. We invite you to join us every second Wednesday of the month. Meetings take place from 7 PM – 9 PM EST on Zoom, click the below button to join.
Men Support Group Schedule:
January 10
February 13
March 13
April 13
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 7
September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11
Men and Women Support Group Schedule
Crushing it in the Kitchen Schedule
March 13
May 8
July 10
September 11
November 13
February 2 9 16 23 3
March 1 8 15 23 30
April 5 12 19 26
May 3 10 17 24 31
June 7 14 21 28
July 5 12 19 26
August 2 9 16 23 30
September 6 13 20 27
October 4 11 18 25
November 1 8 15 22 29
December 6 13 20 27
Congratulations to Ms. Blind Diva 2023, Kiana Vion Glanton!
Ms. Blind Diva 2022, Goddest Johnson.
Congratulations to Ms. Independent 2022, Talia Woodard!
Goddest Johnson, Miss Blind Diva 2022 and Talia Woodard, Miss Independent 2022
Meet The Team
Krystle Allen
Founder & President
Newark New Jersey native Krystle Allen serves as the founder and president of Eyes Like Mine Inc. Krystle is a millennial entrepreneur and non-profiteer who is no stranger to work that involves community development, social change, and grassroots efforts. When she is not attending to Eyes Like Mine matters, she is employed with the New Jersey Commission For the Blind and Visually Impaired under the Department of Human Services in the role of the community outreach specialist. Krystle has served on the access committee of the Jersey City non-profit organization Art House Productions Inc for the past four years. Krystle’s introduction to the non-profit sector began when working with the Montclair YMCA for eight years in the extended care program.
Krystle is a graduate of Newark’s University High School and continued her education by majoring in social science at Essex County College Newark, NJ campus. Currently, she is actively pursuing her enrollment in the Leadership Newark class of 2020 to strengthen her leadership abilities further. Lastly, Krystle has completed a community training program through the Greater Newark L.I.S.C. Despite her vision loss, Krystle has a vision gained to impact one community at a time through her combined advocacy activities.
Naquela Wright
Co-Founder & Vice President
Naquela Wright-Prevoe is a blind Entrepreneur and Activist. She was born in Newark, Nj on December 25, 1991. Naquela always followed her hart even if people said she couldn’t, she walked to the beat of her own drum. Naquela Participated in Dance, Cheerleading, boxing, wrestling and her ultimate love music. At a young age Naquela had a strong sense of self and she never let anyone tell her who she should be. After graduating high school Naquela continued to work on her music and prepare for her future, but that’s when everything changed. On July 27, 2010, Naquela woke up blind in one eye and blurry out the other. On that day she was diagnose with pseudo tumor cerebra. At the tender age of eight teen Naquela had four spinal taps, surgery on both her eyes, and a VP shunt implanted. Naquela was always a go getter, and never let circumstances get in her way, and she wasn’t about to start. Naquela gave herself some time to grieve the life she lost and come to terms with the life she now has, thus a new journey began. In November 2010 Naquela went to the Joseph Kone Training Center to learn how to do everything blind, with in that time her whole outlook on life changed, because she seen that she can do everything she was doing just in a different way. Naquela met her best friend and partner and cofounder of Eyes Like Mine Krystle Allen during this time. Naquela and Krystle wanted to change the narrative, bridge the gap between the sighted and blind, and help people living with vision lost, with advocacy, support groups and innovative social change events. Between adjusting to vision lost and growing the nonprofit, Naquela got married to a beautiful soul Michael Prevoe and is a mother of two beautiful children Aaron Jackson and Naomi Prevoe. Naquela is gainfully employed as a telecommunication specialist for the Veterans HealthCare System. Naquela is in love with her family life, she likes her job and coworkers, and she is absolutely excited about the future of Eyes Like Mine!
Brandon Scott
Board Member
Brandon Scott is a resident of Eatontown New Jersey. As early as he can remember, he has always had a passion for social justice, community empowerment, and self advocacy. As a result, it was no surprise when he pursued social work in college, graduating from Georgian Court University with a bachelors in social work. Professionally, he has served at the Red Bank lunch break soup kitchen, the Jewish renaissance Medical Center, and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Brandon has been volunteering with eyes like mine since 2014.
Otis H. Kerr, LMT
Board Member
At a young age, Otis H, Kerr started using massage as a means of helping his family and friends with their health and well-being. Otis received his formal training at the Academy of Massage Therapy in Hackensack, NJ. He graduated with his certification in Clinical Massage Therapy with Spa Concentration in October 2010. Otis has been distinguished as the academy’s first blind graduate.
Otis is employed by Elements Therapeutic Massage in New Providence, NJ as a lead massage therapist. He also runs his own massage therapy business under Kerr’s Massage & Bodywork in Warren, NJ.
In his spare time, Otis is a remarkable DJ. He has been spinning records since the age of 19. He is self-taught on various DJ platforms including turntables and Serato DJ. He loves all genres of music but truly enjoys playing Reggae, Dancehall, Lovers Rock and Culture.
He believes in giving back to the community by providing services both as a massage therapist and DJ, at outreach events for churches, medical facilities and charitable organizations. Otis is married to his best friend, Phyllis, and they are the proud parents of a 3-year-old princess, Alicia Lyn.
Volunteer Internship Opportunity
Interested in our organization activities and want to be a part of Eyes Like Mine Inc?
Please fill out the volunteer internship application now and be a part of our Eyes Like Mine Inc mission.
Eyes Like Mine Latest Newsletter
Support Eyes Like Mine
If you believe in our mission and would like to support the work we do, you can do so by making a donation today. No amount is too small!
