Shavonda McCaleb is a passionate advocate and philanthropist dedicated to improving the lives of Deaf+ children, youth, and the broader deaf community. As the Founder and Executive Director of the Positively Impacting Communities (PIC) Foundation, established in 2014, she leads programs that promote advocacy, awareness, and inclusion across Southern California and beyond.
Through visionary leadership, Shavonda has developed impactful initiatives such as Silent Plates, which provides nutritious food and hope to Deaf+ families, and the PIC Me Summer Reading Program, designed to enhance literacy and empower deaf youth to reach their full potential.
She proudly serves as Public Relations Specialist for the National Black Deaf Advocates – Local Chapter 38 and sits on the Board of Directors for the Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation in Los Angeles. Her past board service with the Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Great Day Family Connections reflects her deep commitment to family empowerment and community advancement.
Shavonda continues to Build Bridges and Break down Barriers by bridging communication gaps and advocating for accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
An accomplished author, Shavonda has published nine books, including He Meant It for My Good, Daily Inspirations, Let’s Pray, Warning Signs, If It Can Be Done, We Can Do It, and her newest children’s book, The Magic in My Hands. She also created three educational coloring books: PIC Me, PIC Me Up, and Sign With Me, celebrating Deaf culture and literacy.
MY WHY
I am Shavonda McCaleb, a proud mother of a 28-year-old deaf daughter and a 31-year-old hearing son. The unwavering inspiration I draw from my daughter led me to start The PIC Foundation. Her resilience, determination, dedication, and unyielding spirit fuel my passion to make a difference. Knowing that I have the power to play a pivotal role in the lives of other deaf and hard-of-hearing children, families, and the wider deaf community propels me forward each day. My daughter is why I wake up every day, driven to be a change maker within the deaf community.
Raising a deaf daughter and a hearing son, I realized that the resources for the deaf community were slim to none. It was and still is an underserved community, lacking finances, jobs, food security, housing, and transportation. Let’s not forget education, especially literacy.
Being a parent to a deaf child has opened my eyes to the unique challenges and triumphs within the deaf community. It has ignited a fire within me to serve as a beacon of support and understanding for my daughter and all those who navigate the intricate landscape of deafness in a hearing world.
My journey as a mother has taught me that change is possible and starts with a dedicated and passionate individual. I strive to be that individual, working tirelessly to ensure the deaf community receives the recognition, resources, and respect it deserves. I aim to create a more inclusive world where every deaf and hard-of-hearing person can thrive.
At the end of the day, the PIC Foundation isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about creating real change. It’s about making sure deaf children grow up knowing they are valued, heard, and fully capable of achieving anything. This is personal to me, and I won’t stop fighting for the community that means so much to my heart.
WHO WE ARE
We are a team of change-makers who believe that every helping hand can positively impact deaf+ communities and create a better future.
ORGANIZATION SNAPSHOT
Positively Impacting Communities (PIC) Foundation History
The Positively Impacting Communities (PIC) Foundation was founded in 2014 by Shavonda McCaleb with a clear and unwavering purpose: to positively impact, strengthen, and uplift the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community through equity-driven, accessible, and community-centered programming. What began as a grassroots effort rooted in advocacy and inclusion has grown into a multi-program organization addressing some of the most persistent barriers faced by Deaf individuals and families.
Originally established in Atlanta, Georgia, PIC expanded its footprint to Los Angeles, California, in 2023 in response to the significant and often unmet needs of the Deaf community across California. With over 3 million Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals statewide, and more than 800,000 in Los Angeles County alone, PIC strategically positioned itself to serve one of the largest Deaf populations in the nation.
At the core of PIC’s work is a commitment to addressing systemic inequities that affect Deaf individuals across the lifespan. The foundation’s mission is carried out through a holistic model that integrates food security, literacy, transportation access, advocacy, and community empowerment.
One of PIC’s signature initiatives, Silent Plates, addresses food insecurity within the Deaf community, an issue often overlooked due to communication barriers that limit access to traditional food assistance programs. Silent Plates provides accessible, culturally responsive food support to Deaf children, youth, and families, ensuring dignity, consistency, and inclusion. Since its expansion in California, Silent Plates has supported hundreds of individuals through school partnerships, community distributions, and seasonal food initiatives.
PIC’s commitment to literacy and education is embodied in the PIC Me Reading Program, including the PIC ME Summer Reading Initiative. This program is specifically designed for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, integrating visual learning strategies, ASL-accessible storytelling, and interactive literacy activities. The program has reached dozens of Deaf students, improving reading confidence, communication skills, and self-esteem while fostering a love for learning in environments where Deaf children are fully seen and supported.
Recognizing transportation as a critical social determinant of equity, PIC launched PIC Me Up, a mobility-focused initiative developed in partnership with local agencies, including Los Angeles Metro. The program addresses transportation barriers that often prevent Deaf individuals from accessing education, healthcare, employment, and community resources. PIC maintains that transportation is not a privilege; it is a necessity.
In response to growing advocacy needs, PIC established the B.R.I.D.G.E. Deaf Advocacy Program (Believing in Rights, Inclusion, Deaf Growth & Equity). B.R.I.D.G.E. strengthens advocacy, education, and systems navigation across healthcare, education, employment, and social services. The program equips Deaf individuals with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to assert their rights, access services, and break down communication barriers with dignity.
Additional initiatives include job readiness support, scholarships, accessible workshops, and community education efforts that promote inclusion, awareness, and long-term stability. Across all programs, PIC prioritizes accessibility, partnership, and measurable impact.
Since expanding to California, the PIC Foundation has served more than 4,200 Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals through direct services, community events, and advocacy initiatives. Guided by its 2026 tagline, “Building Bridges. Breaking Barriers.” PIC continues to evolve as a trusted leader and advocate for the Deaf community.
The PIC Foundation stands as proof that when lived experience, strategic planning, and community trust come together, meaningful and lasting change is not only possible but also sustainable.
Non Discrimination Policy
Positively Impacting Communities (PIC) Foundation is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. As an organization dedicated to supporting the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, we believe in upholding principles of nondiscrimination in all aspects of our operations.
Policy Statement: Equal Opportunity: The PIC Foundation provides equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Non-Discrimination: The PIC Foundation prohibits discrimination in any form, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination. All employment-related decisions are made based on merit, qualifications, and job requirements.
Accessibility: The PIC Foundation is committed to ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations to enable full participation in our programs, services, and activities.
Respectful Workplace: The PIC Foundation promotes a workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Harassment, discrimination, or any form of disrespectful behavior based on protected characteristics are strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
Community Engagement: The PIC Foundation extends its commitment to nondiscrimination beyond the workplace to our interactions with the broader community. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment in all our public events, programs, and outreach efforts
Compliance: The PIC Foundation complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing nondiscrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other relevant federal, state, and local laws.
Implementation: All employees, volunteers, contractors, and representatives of the PIC Foundation are expected to adhere to this nondiscrimination policy.
Any concerns or complaints regarding discrimination or harassment will be promptly and thoroughly investigated. Corrective action will be taken as appropriate, up to and including disciplinary measures, in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
Statement of Commitment: At the PIC Foundation, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals. We recognize the unique contributions and perspectives that each person brings, and we are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and respect in everything we do.
Contact Information: If you have questions or concerns or want to report a violation of this policy, please email us at info@pic-foundation.org.