Our Board Member Spotlight series is an opportunity to introduce the individuals behind that leadership—sharing their stories, how they became connected to BISM, and why the mission matters to them.
For Tyrone Bullock Sr., Chair of the BISM Board of Directors, that mission is deeply personal.
Bullock’s path to BISM began long before he ever imagined serving on the board. He had built a varied career across finance, education, government, and ministry. Throughout his life he has always considered himself someone who likes to learn, explore new challenges, and stay active.
“I get bored quick,” he joked during our conversation. “I just like to learn. We’re all lifelong learners if we’re willing to accept the lessons as they come.”
But in his late twenties, Bullock received news that would test both his curiosity and resilience.
He had been diagnosed with glaucoma shortly before his 29th birthday. For a while, the changes were gradual enough that he continued living life much the same way he always had—working, staying busy, even riding motorcycles.
He was a middle school teacher at the time and recalls one pivotal moment in his blindness journey:
“I woke up one day and everything seemed cloudy,” At first, he assumed it was the weather. “I thought, man, it’s really going to rain today.”
When he asked the class whether anyone else noticed how cloudy it looked outside, the students were confused.
“They said, ‘What are you talking about? It’s 87 degrees and sunny.’”
Shortly after that, he was rushed to Johns Hopkins where they discovered his ocular pressure was more than double standard levels.
The message from doctors was blunt: whatever vision he had already lost would not return.
“I had about a ten-minute pity party,” he said.
He thought about the things that might change—driving, daily routines, independence. But then he stopped himself.
“I thought, wait a minute. I’m not dead,” he said. “So how do you handle this?”
Bullock then decided the first step was to learn Braille. That decision led him to a Braille class at the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled taught by Karen Crosby. During those early lessons, Crosby repeatedly asked him whether he had contacted BISM.
“At first I didn’t even know what she was talking about,” he said.
Eventually she explained that she herself had learned Braille from an instructor at BISM. That was enough for Bullock.
“I said, ‘Then I need to learn from the horse’s mouth.’”
He contacted BISM, scheduled a visit, and eventually enrolled in the SAIL program.
Bullock remembers enjoying the experience, even when parts of it were difficult. More than anything, he appreciated the people he met and the chance to better understand how to navigate the world with limited vision.
“You learn a lot about yourself,” he said. “And you learn a lot about other people.”
Even as a participant, Bullock’s proactive nature surfaced. Instead of focusing on general mobility skills, he organized trips to explore places he frequented prior to losing his vision. Most notably, a visit to BWI Airport to understand air travel without relying on visual cues. “I travel a lot, so I wanted to know what the options were,” he said.
These experiences also helped him understand how differently people respond to unexpected challenges.
Bullock remembers one moment walking outside with his wife when the lights went out along the path they were on. While she became nervous about navigating in the dark, he wasn’t phased.
“I told her, ‘I can do it because I have to,’” he said. “You’re panicking because you don’t have to.”
“What excites me most,” Bullock said, “is seeing the mission in action—how BISM empowers people to be independent, to take control of their lives, and to grow into their potential.”
Bullock’s philosophy as a board chair reflects the same principles that guide BISM’s programs: empathy, accessibility, and opportunity. He emphasizes understanding the full picture, seeing challenges from multiple perspectives, and valuing the contributions of every individual within the organization.
“Everybody within BISM represents the organization,” he said. “How we show up matters. How we encourage each other matters. That’s how we create a culture where people can thrive.”
Beyond the boardroom, Bullock remains actively engaged in the community, bringing his energy, curiosity, and life experience to every interaction. He mentors, teaches, and continues to learn, demonstrating the same resilience and drive that have defined his journey.
“Encouraging folks to be better and more than they think they can be—that’s what BISM is about,” he said. “And it’s what keeps me connected, motivated, and inspired every day.”
