In this powerful conclusion to our three-part series with Dr. Charles Powell, we dive into his inspiring story of perseverance, professionalism, and pride. Charles shares a transformative moment in his career—an interview that turned into a life-changing opportunity with one of the largest oil and gas companies in the country. With authenticity and passion, he breaks down the stereotypes placed on the blind community—both from the outside world and within.
We talk about technology, independence, appearance, work ethic, and the need to raise the bar—not just for others to see what’s possible, but so our own community stops selling itself short. Dr. Powell also opens up about the influence of his blind grandfather, who ran a working farm with grit and dignity long before there was assistive technology.
This episode is a rally cry to challenge assumptions, claim our value, and celebrate the unsung mentors whose stories shaped us long before hashtags or headlines.
Key Topics Covered:
How Dr. Powell landed a role with a billion-dollar company
Challenging and embracing stereotypes in the blind community
Personal pride, grooming, and presentation as advocacy
Honoring the legacy of blind family members who paved the way
The role of representation in media and mentorship
The growing movement of disability pride and leadership
Why we must let go of control and allow purpose to grow organically
Quotable Moments:
“I didn’t do all this to prove I was blind and could do it. I did it because I wanted to contribute to my family.” – Dr. Charles Powell
“We need to break our own stereotypes before we expect the world to.” – Dr. Charles Powell
“You don't need a big start. Just start. The movement is already growing.” – Penn Street
Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Part 3 with Dr. Charles Powell
01:08 – Charles Returns to Finish His Story: The Job Interview That Changed Everything
03:40 – Showcasing Assistive Tech in the Interview
05:15 – The Surprise CEO Reveal and Job Offer
06:55 – Working for a Billion-Dollar Company
08:20 – Breaking Stereotypes from the Inside
10:30 – Blind Pride: Dressing, Grooming, and Showing Up
12:05 – Public Perception vs. Blind Capability
13:40 – Changing the Narrative Within the Blind Community
15:05 – Penn Reflects on Representation and Role Models
16:30 – Building a Movement: Connection, Advocacy, and Collaboration
18:25 – Celebrate the Wins and Keep the Fire Burning
20:00 – Charles on Legacy: Honoring His Blind Grandfather
23:00 – The Real Motivation: Family, Not Fame
25:10 – Penn on Learning from Her Mom’s Low Vision Journey
26:30 – Closing Remarks and Call to Action
28:00 – Gratitude for the Audience and Aftersight Team
28:45 – Final Encouragement: Be Kind to Yourself and Others
Final Words from Penn:
“To all our listeners: thank you for making The Blind Chick a top-ranked show. Your ratings, your shares, your belief in what we’re doing—it’s everything. This week, be kind to yourself. Be kind to someone else. It’s good for your soul.”
Connect with Dr. Charles Powell:
You can find Dr. Powell and his organization, Divine Visions, online to learn more about his advocacy, consulting, and business support services.
Stay in Touch:
Follow The Blind Chick on your favorite podcast platform, leave a five-star review, and join us next week for another empowering conversation.
Produced by:
Jonathan Price at Aftersight | jonathan@aftersight.org | (720) 712-8856