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 one clear purpose: to uplift and strengthen the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community through programming that is accessible, equity-driven, and built around the people it serves.
What started as a grassroots effort rooted in advocacy and inclusion has grown into a multi-program organization tackling the barriers Deaf individuals and families face every day.
PIC began in Atlanta, Georgia, and expanded to Los Angeles, California, in 2023 to meet the deep and often overlooked needs of California’s Deaf community. With more than 3 million Deaf and hard-of-hearing residents statewide, over 800,000 in Los Angeles County alone. PIC planted roots where it could serve one of the largest Deaf populations in the nation.
Our work centers on one thing: dismantling the systemic inequities that follow Deaf individuals across a lifetime. We do it through a holistic model that connects food security, transportation, advocacy, and community empowerment.
Silent Plates confronts food insecurity in the Deaf community, a problem too often hidden behind communication barriers that block access to traditional food assistance. Silent Plates delivers culturally responsive, accessible food support to Deaf children, youth, and families with dignity and consistency. Since expanding to California, it has supported hundreds through school partnerships, community distributions, and seasonal initiatives.
PIC Me Up treats transportation as what it is: a necessity, not a privilege. Developed in partnership with local agencies including Los Angeles Metro, the program removes the mobility barriers that keep Deaf individuals from reaching education, healthcare, employment, and community resources.
The B.R.I.D.G.E. Deaf Advocacy Program (Believing in Rights, Inclusion, Deaf Growth & Equity) strengthens advocacy and systems navigation across healthcare, education, employment, and social services. B.R.I.D.G.E. equips Deaf individuals with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to assert their rights and break down communication barriers on their own terms.
Beyond these core programs, PIC offers job readiness support, scholarships, accessible workshops, and community education that drive inclusion, awareness, and long-term stability.
Since expanding to California, the PIC Foundation has served more than 7,602 Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, and the count continues to grow through direct services, community events, and advocacy. The work isn’t done. Guided by our 2026 tagline — “Building Bridges. Breaking Barriers.” PIC continues to grow as a trusted leader and advocate for the Deaf community.
PIC stands as proof that when lived experience, strategic planning, and community trust come together, lasting change isn’t just possible, it’s 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.