Anthony D. Sandifer

Anthony D. Sandifer (Tony) is a passionate advocate for African American youth. As a member of the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, Tony puts his passion to work as the Chair of the Scholar’s Academy program. In this role Tony has the privilege of leading life changing learning and social engagement opportunities for male youth ages 13-18 in the Hampton Roads region. When asked what skills are essential to working with youth from diverse backgrounds, Tony responds the ability to earn their trust, that starts with an intentional willingness to express empathy and a commitment to establishing a judgment free relationship.

In his previous role as the Director of Operations of an agency that supported individuals with intellectual disabilities, Tony emphasized the importance of having empathy, being nonjudgmental, and controlling bias when training employees in nonviolent crisis intervention. As a nonviolent crisis intervention instructor, Tony encouraged employees to interpret behavior as a form of communication. Tony believes that taking an opportunity to consider what a behavior means can help establish a useful dialogue for mediating conflict and building relationships.

Tony is a certified by the Judicial Council of Virginia to mediate General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relation mediation referrals. Additionally, Tony holds a Doctoral degree in Law and Policy from Northeastern University, a Master’s degree in Education with emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati, and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University. In his continuous quest to enhance his knowledge, Tony is currently enrolled in a Behavioral Economics program at the University of Chicago.

Marckel Bonds

Marckel ‘KELO (kel-oh)’ Bonds, born in Bedford, VA, is an inimitable and passionate young mind with unique and valuable talents. Marckel specializes as a musician, media professional, mentor, community leader, entrepreneur, and event producer amongst other rotating titles that ultimately surround entertainment, media, and community. He attributes his motivation, his passion, and his success to his family and to his people. Marckel is the oldest son of six siblings and a first generation college graduate. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Media Communication Studies with a minor in Business Administration from Christopher Newport University (CNU) with service distinction. While attending CNU, Marckel played football for all four years, served as Vice President of the Black Student Union, and made history by spearheading the petition for CNU to officially recognize MLK Day as a national day of service by ceasing classes.

This effort was strengthened by the help of the Newport News NAACP and led to Marckel’s role as the Public Relations Chair for the chapter where he served for three years. Throughout his undergraduate career, Marckel worked with the Boys & Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula as a Youth Programming Coordinator where he realized his passion for the Hampton Roads community. Following graduation, Marckel worked closely with Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue, Tiffany Boyle, as a Graphic Designer and Public Information Assistant. Marckel assisted heavily with the annual statewide Commissioners & Cans food drive, the passing of Virginia’s First Minority Business Commission (HB124), and the revamping of the office’s website during his time in Newport News.

During the pandemic, Marckel furthered his education in Mass Media & Production at Norfolk State University while beginning his new role with WAVY-TV 10 as both a Marketing Account Executive by day, and a Production Intern by night. Marckel has since gone all-in as an entrepreneur by focusing his time on his music and his media company, Coffee Black. Marckel’s ambition has led him to many places but in each place he has found more of what he loves and he plans on developing even further into those areas. Amongst the roles previously mentioned, Marckel has served as a field organizer, campaign manager, liaison for Violence Intervention & Prevention Inc., event producer for the Urban League of Hampton Roads, and most proudly – as a mentor and brother.

Marckel’s goal is to transform the narratives that surround BIPOC culture in entertainment and media by changing what representation looks like; especially on a corporate level. His biggest message to anyone who will listen is to utilize your gifts, triumphs, and predestination with conviction to help yourself and others create new narratives and to always, no matter the moment, stand up for what you believe in.

Robert Scott

Third Congressional District of Virginia

Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott has represented Virginia’s third congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993.  Prior to his service in Congress, he served 15 years in the Virginia General Assembly.

Congressman Scott currently serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor. In this capacity, he is advancing an agenda that improves equity in education, frees students from the burdens of crippling debt, protects and expands access to affordable health care, ensures workers have a safe workplace where they can earn a living wage free from discrimination, and guarantees seniors have a secure and dignified retirement.  In 2015, he was one of the four primary authors of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for the first time in 13 years and replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.

Congressman Scott also serves on Committee on the Budget where he is a leading voice on fiscal policy and reducing the deficit.

As a former member of the Committee on the Judiciary, he is a leading advocate for reforming our nation’s broken criminal justice system.  He has successfully worked to pass bipartisan legislation to reduce mandatory minimum sentences, reform the juvenile justice system, and require reporting and federal data collection of deaths that occur in police custody, jails, and prisons.

Congressman Scott resides in Newport News, Virginia.  He is a graduate of Harvard College and Boston College Law School.  He also served in the Massachusetts National Guard and the United States Army Reserve.

Shawn Avery

President & CEO, Hampton Roads Workforce Council

Mr. Shawn Avery currently serves as the President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council.  In this role, he provides leadership for strategic initiatives, partner and community relations, business and industry development, industry sector activities, educational initiatives, and management and oversight for the largest Workforce Development Board in the Commonwealth of Virginia.   He comes to the Hampton Roads Workforce Council after serving as Vice President for the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development, where he provided leadership for the Councils’ Private / Public Partnership Division.  In addition, he has held the positions of Senior Manager of Development and Community Affairs for Opportunity Inc., Manager of the Peninsula Workforce Development Center and Grants Specialist for Thomas Nelson Community College.

Mr. Avery holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida Tech and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Christopher Newport University.   He has received Certificate of Studies in Economic Development from Virginia Tech and the University of North Carolina. 

Mr. Avery is the recipient of an Inside Business Top Forty under 40 in Hampton Roads award, as well as an Expanding Workforce Opportunities Award and a Chancellor’s Award from the Virginia Community College System.   Most recently he received Community Builders Award from the Hampton Roads Community Action Program.   

Mr. Avery currently serves on various Board and Commissions, including the GO Virginia Regional Council, Hampton Roads Chamber, and the Hampton Roads Alliance.  

Louise Lucas

Virginia State Senate Representative, District 18

Portsmouth native L. Louise Lucas was one of the first women to graduate from the apprentice program at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where she became its first female shipfitter in 1971. Later she worked as the command’s Federal Women’s Program manager and as an Equal Employment Opportunity officer. She studied vocational-industrial education and urban affairs at Norfolk State University, earning a BS in 1971 and an MA in 1982. Lucas joined its faculty in 1994 as an assistant professor coordinating research efforts and securing federal aid to develop retraining programs as a result of military and defense industry downsizing in the region. A respected entrepreneur, Lucas is the president and CEO of Lucas Lodge and other related businesses providing residential and health care services for intellectually disabled adults.

Concern about substandard housing led her to get involved with the Portsmouth Emergency Housing Coalition. Continuing her anti-poverty efforts, Lucas served as director of the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project from 1985 to 1992. Believing that “power concedes nothing without demand,” she embarked on a political career in 1984 when she became the first Black woman to win election to the Portsmouth City Council. In 1991 Lucas was elected to represent southeastern Virginia’s 18th District in the Senate of Virginia, and in December 2019 she became the first woman and the first African American elected its president pro tempore. Throughout her career, Lucas has advocated legislation related to voting rights restoration, reducing firearms purchases and expanding background checks, redistricting, regulation of casino gaming, and expansion of health care for Virginians.

William B. Downey

Former President & CEO (Retired), Riverside Health System

Bill joined Riverside Health System in May of 1981 as an Administrative Extern upon completion of his undergraduate degree from James Madison University.  After completing his Masters in Health Administration at MCV (VCU) he returned to Riverside in May of 1985 and held numerous executive roles until leaving Riverside in 1995 to become President and CEO of Lewis-Gale Medical Center in Salem, Virginia and CEO of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Florida. Bill returned to Riverside in 2001 and became President and CEO in 2012.

Bill has been involved in numerous community organizations over the years, including serving, and as a Board member of The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., the Hampton Roads Economic Development Authority, The Virginia Chamber of Commerce, The Hampton Roads Business Roundtable, Virginia Business Council, Go Virginia Hampton Roads, Towne Bank-Peninsula and Premier, Inc. Bill is also a past chairman and current member of An Achievable Dream, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, President of the Board of Greater Peninsula NOW.  He is past chair of the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, and the Virginia Living Museum.

In 2018, Bill was recognized at the 50th annual Peninsula Humanitarian Awards presented by the Peninsula Chapter of Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC). The awards honored individuals and organizations promoting respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds in the Peninsula community. Just recently, Bill was recognized by Hampton Roads Community Action Program with their 2020 Community Builders award which highlights individuals who make a positive impact on the Hampton Roads Region and by the VCU Department of Health Administration with their Lifetime Service and Achievement Award.

Steve Lawson

Chairman of the Board, The Lawson Companies

A third-generation builder and developer, Steve Lawson is Chairman of the Board of The Lawson Companies. His focus is on the strategic direction, mission and long-term goals of the firm. During Steve’s 17-year tenure as President, the multifamily division acquired or developed more than 20 apartment communities representing 2,250 units valued at over $160 million. Additionally, the single-family home division closed more than 340 homes totaling approximately $100 million in sales and land development. Steve also oversees the executive leadership of The Lawson Companies, as well as the direction of Lawson Homes, our single-family development and construction division.

Steve earned his undergraduate degree in engineering from Duke University and worked in that field for several years, later returning to Duke for a Master’s Degree in Business prior to joining the company in 1993.

George Birdsong

President & CEO, Birdsong Peanuts

Born, Suffolk, VA, November 8, 1939
Son of William McLemore and Yancey (Brooking) Birdsong

Married Sue Benton, June 10, 1961; children: Anne Cabell, David Jefferson, Charles Randolph

Education: Washington and Lee Univ., BA, 1961; Univ. of VA, LLB 1964; VA Bar, 1964; UVA Business School, basic advanced management, 1968

Employment: Attorney, Godwin and Godwin, Suffolk, 1964-66; Birdsong Peanuts, division of Birdsong Corp., Sec. Treas. 1965-81, Exec. VP 1981-1997, Pres. 1997-1999, CEO 1999 –

Community Involvement:
Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Auth., Director 1965-85, Chairman 1965-83;
Suffolk Jaycees, 1964-75;

Virginia Wesleyan College, Pres. Advisory Council 1971–89, trustee, 1989–2015, Chairman 2008–10;

Virginia Manufacturers Assoc., Director 1977 – 79, 1987 – 89;
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, past Director;
SunTrust Bank, Suffolk/Franklin Director 1975 – 2020;
Nansemond Suffolk Academy, Development Committee;

Hampton Roads United Way, Director 1980-84;
Suffolk YMCA, Founding Dir. 1987-91;
Future of Hampton Roads, Exec. Committee 1983-96;

Louise Obici Memorial Hospital Foundation, Director and Chair 1980-2003;

Suffolk Community Health Center, Sec., Director 1992-99;

Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges, Director 1994 –;
Business Consortium for the Arts, member, 1993 –;

Obici Healthcare Foundation, Director and Chair 2003 – 2016;  
Suffolk Foundation, Founding Director 2006 – , Vice President 2006 – 2010; Director 2014 –;
Young Leaders Soc. of Hampton Roads, Advisory Board 2001 – 2005;
Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, Honorary Director, 2001 –;

Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Hampton Roads Leadership Council, 2009 –;

Nansemond River Preservation Alliance, Director 2009 –;

Hampton Roads Business Roundtable, 2013-;

ForKids, Co-Chair Capital Campaign, 2018 – 2020;

Virginia Bar Assoc., Suffolk Bar Assoc.;
Suffolk Rotary Club;
Main Street United Methodist Church

Awards and Recognition:  Recipient Distinguished Service Award, Suffolk Jaycees, 1971; Order of the Red Triangle YMCA of South Hampton Roads, 1993; Humanitarian Award, Tidewater Chapter, National Conference of Christians and Jews Humanitarian Award, 1997; First Citizen of Suffolk, 1997; ODK National Leadership Society, 2006; Paul D. Camp Community College Chancellor’s Award for Leadership in Philanthropy, 2011; Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Lifetime Achievement Award, 2011; Volunteer Hampton Roads Lenora Mathews Lifetime Achievement Award, 2015; Resolution of Commendation from the Virginia General Assembly for enhancing the lives of others in Hampton Roads and throughout the commonwealth through volunteer efforts, Jan. 13, 2016; Honorary Doctor of Law Degree, Virginia Wesleyan College, May 2016; Honorary Doctor of Humanities, Randolph-Macon College, May 2017; Darden Award for Hampton Roads Regional Leadership, 2017; Junior Achievement 2018 Hall of Fame; Operation Smile John Connor Humanitarian Award, 2019

Foundation Relationships:  CEO of Birdsong Corporation which is the sole donor to Birdsong Trust Fund and the sole donor to Birdsong Charitable Foundation; Suffolk Foundation, Founding Member, 2006 -; Obici Healthcare Foundation, Chair, 2006 – 2016

Father Joe Green

Assisting Priest

Father Green has left an indelible mark on the city across many generations. He earned his theology degree from the University of the South in 1965, one of the first two African Americans to graduate from The School of Theology at Sewanee in the midst of a time when the odious practices of Jim Crow were much in evidence. Today, his portrait hangs in the lobby of the Administration Building at The School of Theology, a fitting tribute to one of its most distinguished graduates.

Serving as Rector of nearby Grace Episcopal Church, Father Green led one of the most dynamic congregations in the diocese for 30 years. After serving on the Norfolk School Board, he was the first African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the Norfolk City Council where he served for twenty years, ten as Vice Mayor.

Father Green helped lead a transformational period in the city’s history as a civil rights leader and a fighter for justice and equal rights. He led the the effort to preserve the Church Street Historic District and the Attucks theatre, sacred to African American history and culture in Hampton Roads. He is the embodiment of our baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.’

His efforts to promote affordable and accessible housing and education have changed the city forever. He was a strong proponent of mass transit, championed the inclusion of a public housing tenant on the Housing Commission and was instrumental in the establishment of the downtown campus of Tidewater Community College.

At 95, Father Green is still speaking truth to power with compassion and humility. Christ & St. Luke’s is profoundly honored to welcome Fr. Green and Mrs. Evelyn Green to our community. As Canon Theologian and a member of our clergy staff, Fr. Green will teach and guide us as we seek to be a more welcoming and inclusive church.

Charles R. Henderson, Jr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CEO | Bank of America

“Charlie” Henderson is a Senior Vice President and works within Bank of America’s Charitable Foundation where he serves as an ESG Program Manager with responsibility regarding community development philanthropic strategy.

Henderson joined Bank of America in 1979, after having worked for another bank for five years.  He began his career at Bank of America as an Assistant Financial Center Manager.  In 1981, he was promoted to Financial Center Manager and in 1984 was promoted to Senior Vice President and Area Manager.  He held a number of roles with increased responsibilities within the Consumer Banking group until 1995 when he moved into Global Corporate Social Responsibility group as a Market Manager for the company’s Hampton Roads market.  In 2006, Henderson was promoted to National Market Management executive and in a separate action was promoted to Hampton Roads President.  In 2007, Henderson became the company’s Community Development Services executive.  In 2010, Henderson began his current role within the company’s Charitable Foundation.  As Market President, Henderson was responsible for the integration of Bank of America’s business, sponsorship and charitable foundation initiatives in the Hampton Roads market.

Henderson graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1974.  He is a 1980 graduate of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management and a 1990 graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Bank Management.

Henderson has been an active volunteer throughout his career.  He currently serves as a trustee of the Urban League of Hampton Roads.  Past board memberships include Children’s Health Foundation, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, LISC Hampton Roads, Obici Healthcare System, United Church Homes & Services, Inc., Virginia Bankers Association, VBA Education Foundation, Virginia Community Development Corporation and Virginia Community Loan Fund.  Henderson has been recognized by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian of the Year Award (2009), Physicians for Peace Medical Diplomat Award (2011), Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads Dreambuilder Award (2011), historic Crispus Attucks Theatre Corporate Citizen Award (2013), Men For Hope Trailblazer Award (2019), STOP, Inc. Community Impact recipient (2020), Hampton Roads Community Action Program Community Impact recipient (2021) and has been included in Inside Business annual list of business leaders.