Peter A. Blake

Retiring Executive Director of State / Counsel of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

 Peter A. Blake joined the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) as executive director in 2011. A former Virginia secretary of education, Mr. Blake previously worked at SCHEV as an associate director overseeing higher education analyses in the areas of faculty and staff compensation, higher education funding policies, academic libraries, distance learning and instructional technology, and student financial aid. He left SCHEV in 1999 to serve as the legislative fiscal analyst for the Virginia General Assembly’s House Appropriations Committee.

Before returning to SCHEV, Mr. Blake served as the vice chancellor of workforce development services for the Virginia Community College System, where he led policy and budget development. Mr. Blake was the deputy secretary of education from 2002 to 2005, and served as the secretary of education under Governor Mark Warner.

In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Blake has served on various advisory committees, including the boards of the Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Association, the Richmond Public Library, the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, and the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.

Mr. Blake completed the Virginia Executive Institute and LEAD Virginia programs, as well as the associate program through the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. He has a B.A. in history and an M.S. in communications management from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Alexis N. Swann

President Towne Bank Peninsula / Williamsburg

Alexis Swann joined Towne Bank as the President of both the Peninsula and Williamsburg regions in October of 2019.  She oversees the regions where the Bank holds the largest regional market share with six branches and over 50 banking professionals where we offer a competitive array of business and personal financial services, delivered with only the highest ethical standards. Our commitment to exquisite service for our members will lead to our ability to create a reasonable rate of return for our shareholders, a bright future for our dedicated bankers, and a leadership role for our bank in promoting the social, cultural, and economic well-being of our community. Alexis also provides direction for community support and Towne’s regional philanthropic efforts. She brings over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry.

Previously she was the Peninsula Market President /Business Banking Manager for the Eastern region of Wells Fargo.    In previous years, Alexis was a regional director of the wealth management division responsible for private banking, trust and brokerage.  In addition, Alexis has served in management in the retail division.

Alexis earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Howard University and is a 1993 graduate from the College of William & Mary with a MBA in finance.  She completed the personal financial planner designation at Old Dominion University and earned the CFP designation in 2014.

Active in her community, Alexis serves on the Peninsula United Way Board, the Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Club of Peninsula, the Riverside Hospital System Board, and the Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation Board. She recently completed appointments in 2023 where she was a member of the Board of Visitors for Virginia Commonwealth University and the State Board for Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.   She has held many board appointments in the past years to include the Christopher Newport University School of Business Advisory Board, Past President of the Greater Peninsula Habitat for Humanity board, the Newport News Police Foundation, and Fear to Freedom.  Alexis is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.; a public service sorority and has been active in the financial empowerment ministry at Ivy Baptist Church.  A strong advocate for financial literacy, Alexis volunteers her time doing presentations in fairs, schools, and expos within the market.

Over the years, Alexis has been recognized in the community.  Recently Alexis was awarded the Business Leader of the year award by 200+ Men of Hampton Roads. In May of 2020, Alexis received the Community Builders Award by HRCAP and in March of 2019 she was honored as one of the Peninsula Humanitarians of the Year by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.  She also previously received a Women in Business Award in the category of Finance by the Inside Business Magazine and the YWCA “Women of Distinction Award.”

Alexis resides in Yorktown, VA with her husband of 30 years, Darren and two children, Mikaela, and Chandler.

NRHA

Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority (NRHA)

Founded in 1940, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) is the largest redevelopment and housing authority in Virginia and is a national leader in real estate development and property management. With a $100 million annual capital and operating budget, NRHA’s exceptional staff of 350 works with Norfolk residents to continually renew and revitalize the city.

Charlie W. Hill

Hampton Roads Prostate Forum

Charlie W. Hill, retired as EVP, Human Resources of Landmark Media Enterprises LLC formerly Landmark Communications, Inc. His retirement ended more than 40 years of progressive leadership and managerial experience in the telecommunications, business services, shipbuilding, chemical and media industries. He is co-founder and President of the Hampton Roads Prostate Health Forum and a founding Board member of the Charlie W. and Golden Bethune Hill Community Health Clinic (formerly the Community Free Clinic of Newport News), named in recognition of him and his wife’s lifetime contributions. He has been an active board member of several civic and business groups, including the Board of Directors of the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center, the Corporate Advisory Board of Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia, the INROADS Mid-Atlantic Regional Board of Directors, and the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Advisory Council of Hampton Roads, among many other civic endeavors.

Mr. Hill also is a former member of the Hampton Roads Health Coalition Board of Directors and a member of the National Association of Minorities in Cable Hall of Fame. He served a full term as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Health Care Foundation and now serves on the Board of Advisors of the Foundation. He was awarded the Honorary Associate Degree of Humane Letters from the Thomas Nelson Community College in Hampton, Virginia in 2011, and is a CIVIC Leadership Institute graduate. In addition, the City of Hampton, VA presented him with the Distinguished Citizen Award for his commitment to the City.

Charlie holds an MBA from Hampton University, a Bachelor’s in Economics from Virginia State College, and is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He has served as a Trustee and Elder at Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church in Newport News, Virginia, a member of the Virginia Peninsula Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America, co-chair of the International 100 Black Men of America Health and Wellness Committee, and International chair of the 100 Black Men of America Prostate Cancer Initiative. He has received several awards and has been featured in numerous publications for his work in prostate cancer awareness and education.

Mr. Hill received the Virginia State University President’s Medal, was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, and has completed eight years of service as a member of the university’s Board of Visitors, serving as the Board’s lead on updating the Strategic Plan (and serving as vice rector for a period). He also received the Hampton University Presidential Citizenship Award Citation, and is a 2020 Community Builders Award recipient from the Hampton Roads Community Action Program.

Charlie was honored by Truist Foundation at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center dedication ceremony for the Inspirational Greenwall in the new Healing Garden. His cancer history includes being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2002, followed by a recurrence a few years later and a new diagnosis of Lymphoma in 2011.

Harry T. Lester

Retired, EVMS President Emeritus

Born in 1945 Harry grew up in a small town in North Carolina, father was a minister. His mother worked with lay people for the denomination with an office in Chicago; she worked for a black man, her friend and colleague. Harry had the benefit of having parents that worked for change, recognizing the challenges of living in the South. While in grade school, Harry’s town quickly approved buses for the blacks to ride past the white public schools. His family occasionally shopped at Sears & Roebuck in Greensboro where he saw white/colored water fountains and bathrooms, living with segregation. Harry had the good fortune of having a family that understood inequality and injustice.

After college Harry was a junior officer in the US Navy, spent thirty years in commercial/industrial real estate brokerage followed by eight years as President of Eastern Virginia Medical School. His personal time has involved top leadership roles in community activities: Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Hampton Roads Business Roundtable, ReInvent Hampton Roads, Chrysler Museum, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Lynnhaven River Now and a variety of other not for profit organizations.

Harry’s leadership in each of these organizations cannot be overstated.  His vision; advocacy; and leadership in collaboration with other leaders across the region and Commonwealth has been both catalytic and transformative for Hampton Roads.   A tribute to his broad impact on EVMS and its medical reach is a $100 million building that houses classrooms, research labs and a modeling and simulation center named the Harry T. Lester Hall.

Harry and his wife Dee reside in Virginia Beach.

Nykita C. Doggette

Young Professional of the Year

Nykita C. Doggette is a proud native of Hampton (VA) serves as the Labor Relations Liaison for the City of Richmond. She is the first in her family to pursue a four-year university education at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. As a young professional, Nykita has lobbied on Capitol Hill for comprehensive immigration reform and other worker focused legislation, organized workforces to rally for their right to Unionize as disabled workers, as well as volunteer for endorsed political candidates. Her diligent efforts in promoting fair labor practices and cultivating a positive work environment earned her well-deserved recognition of the esteemed Business Manager Award for her outstanding dedication, commitment, and exemplary leadership.

Nykita has dedicated over 130 hours to volunteer as the Membership Co-Chair for the Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals. Her service to the community involves welcoming new members to the Urban League movement, helping to implement local and national Urban League initiatives, and creating opportunities for individuals ages 21-40 to thrive as young professionals. Nykita foresees broadening her influence by persisting in her advocacy for the community. Her aspiration is to deepen connections between communities, corporations, and organizations, cultivating environments that prioritize fairness and equity. Nykita remains committed to leveraging her diverse skillset to initiate positive change, aiming to leave a legacy of excellence and innovation both professionally and within the community.

Lisa Wise Chapman

Guild Member of the Year

Lisa Wise-Chapman is a committed and dedicated realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty and currently works as a Physician Liaison for National Vascular Associates. Lisa is an experienced non-profit and sales professional having worked for various non-profits and in various sales capacities, including Westminster Canterbury, The Salvation Army, CBN, Muscular Dystrophy Association and the American Red Cross. Lisa attended Howard University. Presently she serves as President of the Southeastern Virginia Chapter of Sisters Network Inc., the largest national black breast cancer survivorship organization in the US.  She actively participates as the Health and Wellness Committee Chairperson of the Urban League Guild of Hampton Roads. 

She is inspired daily by her husband Earl, son Stacey, daughter Neveah, and grandson Zion. Her greatest passions besides her faith in God and her family are empowering others, especially people with disabilities and people who are marginalized. A believer in the power of prayer, purpose and people to accelerate community progress, she enjoys participating in and supporting the fine arts community and is focused on being a source of encouragement, creativity and positivity by endeavoring to help others.

Governor L. Douglas Wilder

E.L. HAMM Lifetime Achievement Award

L. Douglas Wilder’s career in public service spans over 70 years and includes many historic milestones. Governor Wilder became the first African-American to be elected governor in the U.S., leading the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. As the Commonwealth’s 66th governor, he was commended for his sound fiscal management and balancing the state budget during difficult economic times. Financial World magazine ranked Virginia as the best-managed state in the U.S. for two consecutive years under his administration.

Governor Wilder’s commitment to service began when he served in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he earned a Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat. Prior to his time as governor, he served as lieutenant governor from 1986 to 1990 and as a state senator from 1969-1985, chairing committees on Transportation; Rehabilitation and Social Services; Privileges and Elections; the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council; and the Senate Steering Committee, which appoints committee members.

Other legislative achievements include providing state health care coverage for sickle-cell anemia patients, toughening penalties for capital murderers and prison escapees, and expanding low and moderate-income housing. For eight years, he persisted in sponsoring legislation that eventually led to establishing a state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., making Virginia the first state in the nation to have a legislative holiday for Dr. King. Governor Wilder was the driving force in appointing black judges to serve on the bench.

Persuaded to run for Richmond City Mayor in 2004, Governor Wilder received eighty percent of the vote and carried each of the city’s nine council districts and every precinct in the city. He was sworn in as Richmond’s first elected mayor in 2005 and served until 2009, making him the first African-American mayor elected by popular vote from all of the citizens of Richmond. During his term, the city made remarkable progress in its fight against crime, hitting its lowest rate in 27 years. Downtown economic development and neighborhood improvements were widespread, and financial management reached a new level of scrutiny that served taxpayers well.

An attorney by profession, Governor Wilder gained recognition as a leading criminal trial lawyer. He graduated from Howard University Law School in 1959 and later established the legal firm that became known as Wilder, Gregory & Associates, one of the few minority-owned businesses in Virginia at the time. Prior to earning his J.D., he graduated from Virginia Union University with a B.S. degree in Chemistry and worked in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as a toxicology technician.

Today, Governor Wilder is a Distinguished Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs where he lectures and hosts symposia, including “Race in Academia,” “The Triple Pandemic,” and “Racism, Health, and Accountability.” He is also the author of “Son of Virginia: A Life in America’s Political Arena,” published by Lyons Press.

In recent years, he has served as the keynote speaker for The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Kerner Commission Report National Conference held at the University of Minnesota and the University of Richmond’s Law Symposium, The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act: Past, Present, and Future.

While Governor Wilder’s support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is longstanding, he recently played a pivotal role in urging Virginia’s Attorney General Jason Miyares to issue a binding opinion on state funding for HBCUs. This opinion seeks to rectify past and ongoing racial discrimination in funding allocation, underscoring Wilder’s unwavering commitment to educational equity.

He continues to be a champion of people and causes and remains a highly-involved and dedicated citizen of the city that he has called home for most of his life, as one of its best and most outspoken ambassadors. A previous recipient of the NAACP’s prestigious Spingarn Medal, he is also the driving force behind establishing a National Slavery Museum in Virginia.

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.