Duane Corbett, Kaylee Yarborough, Thomas Bass, Sheria Mumford, Henry Bobbitt, Michael Davis, Dorothy Harris, Kinslee Eason, Iroy Jackson, Tina Jacobs, Rebecca Rossell, Zion Newkirk, Timmy Smith, and Latasha Weaver are among those with visual challenges in this community, looking forward to dressing to the nines and heading down the runway.
You’ll find them attired in everything from gowns to tuxedos to their Sunday best.
“They’re strutting their stuff,” says Terri Thomas, executive director of the Vision Resource Center, which is staging the “Full Bloom: Cultivating Confidence” fashion show from 1–3 p.m. on March 21 at the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church fellowship hall, 614 Oakridge Ave., in Haymount. “We are excited about it.”
The Vision Resource Center (circa 1939) began as the Cumberland County Association of the Blind, serving the needs of those who are blind and visually impaired in conjunction with the Cumberland County Department of Social Services.
Those who are blind and visually impaired, Thomas will tell you, are just like everyone of us.
The VRC, according to its website, is dedicated to the mission of promoting independence, personal growth, and community connection. Through educational, vocational, recreational, and social activities, VRC creates a welcoming environment, where those with impaired vision or no sight can lead fulfilling lives.
“We have 250 on our roles now,” Thomas said of the visually impaired who attend the VRC, which is located at 2736 Cedar Creek Road in east Fayetteville. “We serve 20 to 40 on a weekly basis.”
‘They Were So Confident’
All of this year’s fashion show participants have stories to tell.
“It’s not your normal fashion show,” Thomas said.
It’s about people, just like all of us, with goals and dreams in life.
Iroy Jackson escorted by his daughter Asia Jackson in 2024. Credit: Vision Resource Center 
Timmy Smith escorted by sister Dolly Smith in 2024. Credit: Vision Resource Center 
Kinslee Eason escorted by Donald Watt Jr. in 2024. Credit: Vision Resource Center 
Kaylee Yarborough escorted by Donald Watts Jr. in 2024. Credit: Vision Resource Center 
Thomas Bass, left, escorted by Sophia Williams in 2024. Credit: Vision Resource Center
“Women and men and some of our kids are going to be in it,” Thomas said about the fashion show, which was conceived by organizers Katherine Gill and her husband, Dwayne Gill, who is a U.S. Army veteran with visual impairments.
And not only will emcees Debra Nixon-Jordan and Myrtle Simmons be telling you about the participants’ fashions, they’ll be telling the audience about the participants’ stories.
“The emcees tell the story,” Thomas said. “It’s going to be really nice. We’re taking it up a notch this year to keep it engaged.”
The VRC staged its first fashion show fundraiser in 2024 at the Kiwanis Recreation Center.
“We had right about 12-14 models,” Thomas said. “We had around 200 people attend in 2024, and maybe more. Katherine Gill and her husband wanted to raise $10,000. They raised $16,000. They sold it out. They wanted to bring it back. I hope we surpass that this year.”
Advance tickets are $25 and $40 at the door, according to the VRC. Local artwork will be on sale, with 20% of sales benefitting the nonprofit. Call 910-483-2719 for more information.
Thomas still can see fashion show models walking the runway in 2024, and the pride on their faces.
“They were so confident,” said Thomas, who has been executive director at the VRC for the past 16 years. “I felt like a ‘Mama hen’ with my babies. I was tickled at their confidence going down that runway, I’m not telling you no lie. They showed the world that they’ve got it going on, too. They showed the world what they can do. I can’t wait to see what they do this year.”
Dr. Robin Peace remembers the 2024 fashion show, too.
“The first fashion show was an incredible success, and seeing our clients’ joy and confidence was truly unforgettable,” said Peace, who is chair of the VRC board of directors. “This year, we hope to make it even bigger, bringing people together to donate their time, their support, and their generosity to help the Vision Resource Center continue providing vital resources for individuals who are visually impaired or blind.”
Epilogue
The VRC says its mission is to enrich the lives of those with visual impairments through social, recreational, and wellness programs. Proceeds from fundraisers such as the fashion show foster independence, reduce isolation, and expand access to essential services in Cumberland County.
“Women will wear a variety of things,” Terri Thomas said. “Some outdoors casual wear. Some in leather. Some with feathers. Some outdoor wear and summer wear. Men are going do some western looks and some ‘After-five’ looks.”
Duane Corbett, Kaylee Yarborough, Thomas Bass, Sheria Mumford, Henry Bobbitt, Michael Davis, Dorothy Harris, Kinslee Eason, Iroy Jackson, Tina Jacobs, Rebecca Rossell, Zion Newkirk, Timmy Smith, and Latasha Weaver hope you will consider attending the “Full Bloom: Cultivating Confidence” fashion show, enjoy their fashions and learn from their stories … that they are just like all of us with hopes and dreams in their walks of life.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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