Our Founder Shavonda McCaleb
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 CEO of the Positively Impacting Communities (PIC) Foundation, established in 2014, she has championed initiatives that address the community’s unique needs through advocacy, awareness, and development programs. Her visionary leadership has driven impactful Founder projects such as the “Silent Plates” food program, which provides nourishment and hope to Deaf+ children, and the “PIC Me” Summer Reading Program, designed to enhance literacy and empower deaf youth.
Shavonda’s commitment extends beyond her foundation. She’s a proud member of the National Black Deaf Advocates – Local Chapter 38 Southern California Black Deaf Advocates. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Ashlynn B. Jackson Foundation (Los Angeles, CA), where she develops initiatives to support children with heart disease. Her dedication to community service is further evidenced by her contributions as a former board member of the Georgia Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Atlanta, GA), where she advanced programs to empower individuals with hearing-related challenges and Great Day Family Connections (Atlanta, GA), where her efforts focused on family welfare and connection-building.
In addition, Shavonda has significantly influenced vocational rehabilitation policies through her role on the E-3 Advisory Panel, working to create opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Her active involvement with the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf School Council and Parent Involvement Program highlights her dedication to education and advocacy for deaf students and their families. Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), she uses her skills to foster inclusivity and bridge communication gaps within the community.
Recognized as a distinguished member of the National Association of Professional Women, Shavonda exemplifies exceptional leadership and commitment. Her ability to seamlessly balance entrepreneurial ventures with advocacy work underscores her multifaceted talents and drive. Through her relentless efforts, Shavonda continues to be a transformative force, creating lasting change for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and beyond.
MY WHY
I am Shavonda McCaleb, a proud mother of a 28-year-old deaf daughter and a 30-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 bold vision to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities while championing inclusion and empowerment for the deaf and hard-of-hearing populations. Recognizing the distinct challenges faced by individuals within the deaf+ community, the foundation was established to create programs that foster equality, opportunity, and hope.
At its core, the PIC Foundation is committed to advocacy, literacy, education, and support that drives lasting change. One of its hallmark initiatives, Silent Plates, addresses food insecurity by delivering nutritious meals to deaf+ students while instilling dignity and encouragement.
Another flagship program, the PIC ME Summer Reading initiative, empowers deaf and hard-of-hearing children through literacy-focused activities and interactive learning that build confidence and strengthen communication skills. Additionally, the PIC Me Up transportation program addresses one of the most persistent barriers to independence: the lack of mobility. At PIC, we believe transportation is not a privilege—it’s a necessity.
The foundation also extends its impact through free virtual ASL classes, scholarships, job readiness training, and ongoing community support. These services are designed to remove barriers and pave the way to independence and self-sufficiency.
The PIC Foundation is a living testament to what’s possible when purpose meets action. Its mission continues to ripple far beyond the deaf+ community—sparking inclusion, understanding, and empowerment for all.
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.