Our Board of Directors

Mrs. Carla Perry received her B. S. Degree in Accounting and teacher certification in Business Education from Norfolk State University. She received her M.S. Degree in Accounting from Liberty University. She has worked as a Business and Career Education Teacher at Norfolk Public Schools, 1998-2008, and as an Adjunct faculty in the Business, Public Services & Technologies Department at Tidewater Community College, Portsmouth Campus-January 2010-2017. She is also the owner of Kingdom Accounting Services, a bookkeeping and income tax preparation business for 45 years. She also serves as financial secretary and is the administrative assistant to the pastor at Faith Community Church.

Mrs. Perry is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®, having been initiated in April 1976 at Norfolk State University. She transferred to Iota Omega in 1980. With 47 years of membership, she has served in the following officer positions: Treasurer, Assistant Corresponding Secretary, Graduate Advisor Kappa Gamma, ODU, Vice President, President, Assistant Treasurer, and Parliamentarian. Mrs. Perry has been the committee chairman of: Awards, Audit, Budget, Bylaws, Finance, Standards, Membership, Program, and Health committees, and served on many program and standing committees.

She has also served the Mid-Atlantic Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® in the following capacities: Financial Recorder 38^th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Sergeant-At-Arms, Registration Chairman 2008 Tidewater Cluster,  Recording Secretary Corps Regional Conference, Undergraduate Roundup 2004, Rules Committee Chairman 2011 58^th (MARC), Program Coordinator  2011-2012 59^th MARC, Rules Committee 2014 61^st  MARC, Assistant Recording Secretary 2015 62^nd MARC and Recording Secretary 2016 63^rd MARC.

Mrs. Perry served on the inaugural board of Norfolk Pearls Foundation of Virginia as its Treasurer from 2016-2021. She is married and resides in Norfolk.

Dr. JaNaé Taylor, an Alabama native, is the Black Folks' Therapist, Emotional Wellness Consultant, and Mental Health Podcaster. Dr. Taylor is a Licensed Psychotherapist in Virginia Beach, VA, where she owns and operates Taylor Counseling and Consulting Services. JaNaé is an HBCU graduate, a proud alumnae of Tuskegee University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Additionally, she holds a Masters of Education in Community Counseling and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia. She was honored as UGA’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2019.

Dr. Taylor has over 20 years of experience and has worked with clients in a variety of settings, ranging from pediatric hospitals, juvenile justice systems, living assisted facilities, women’s homeless shelters, community mental health agencies, and school and college counseling centers. She is committed to serving people of diverse ethnic backgrounds and providing culturally sensitive services. Dr. Taylor customizes her services to the unique goals and needs of every client. Her therapeutic style is centered on creating an authentic connection with her clients. Dr. Taylor is an active member of the Virginia Counselors Association.

JaNaé is a 22-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® and was initiated in the Delta Theta Omega Chapter in Mobile, Alabama. She is an active member of the Iota Omega Chapter where she currently serves as the Recording Secretary. She served as Chairman of the Awards and Strategic Planning Committees, and member of the Standards, Empower Our Families, and Build Our Economic Wealth Committees. 

Dr. Melanie Patterson is a 27-year experienced educator focused on setting an atmosphere for successful teaching and learning.  Currently a Kindergarten through 8^th grade school principal with Norfolk Public Schools, her concentration is on establishing relationships, routines, and rigor in the classroom.  Under her leadership, she was strategic in merging three distinctly different teaching staffs as a part of school closures in the city while developing a technology focus for the school.  As a result, her school was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School in 2023. 

She is a member of the board of directors for the Virginia Association of Secondary Principals (VASSP) where she has been a member since 2012.  She serves on several committees and initiatives in and out of the public school system.  Dr. Patterson earned her bachelor’s degree in English Education from Norfolk State University and is a lifetime member of the Alumni Association, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Old Dominion University, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic State and University (Virginia Tech).   

Dr. Patterson is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, ® serving in multiple roles on the finance team, as the Assistant Financial Secretary, and Chairman of the decorations committee for the Centennial Gala.   Currently, she holds the position of Chapter Hostess.  She is a member of several committees and is a part of the Nadine Vargas Stewart Heritage Circle.  In 2023, she represented the Iota Omega Chapter as the Unsung Hero for the South Hampton Roads Pan-Hellenic Council and was named Soror of the Year.

She has been married to David Patterson for thirty years with three daughters and one son-in-law,  Markelle Stryzkowski, son-in-law, Mark Stryzkowski, her legacy Deja Patterson, and Desiree Patterson.

Ms. Allison J. Davis is a Senior Associate / Facets Product Consultant, with Cognizant Technology System’s Facets Healthcare Product Consulting Group.  She possesses over 20 years of experience as a business/functional analyst and trainer in the areas of migration/transformation from legacy applications, training, and implementation through defining and configuration for e-travel, healthcare, vendor management, procurement, and financial applications.   In these roles, she led and assisted internal teams of analysts, developers, and clients with cradle-to-grave large-scale deployments of applications, systems, and Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) products. 

Ms. Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from Norfolk State University and Masters of Public Administration in Healthcare Management from Grand Canyon University. She is a 25-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Kappa Sorority, Incorporated® and was initiated into the Delta Epsilon chapter on the campus of Norfolk State University.  Ms. Davis currently serves as the Mid-Atlantic Region Graduate Advisor Committee Chairman and has served at the Mid-Atlantic Region level as a member of the Graduate Advisory Committee; within the Iota Omega chapter as Tidewater Top Chef Culinary Extravaganza and Jazz Hat Luncheon Silent Auction Chair/Vendor Manager, Assistant Hostess, as well as member of various targets and committees.  Currently, she serves as an elected Member-At-Large, a member of the Graduate Advisory Council, and previously as one of the elected Graduate Advisors of the Kappa Gamma chapter at Old Dominion University. She is actively involved in her community as a member of the Norfolk Alumni Chapter of NSUAA, and the Norfolk chapter of the NAACP as well as serves in her national and local church as a Certified National Adjutant Sister and within her local church’s Women’s Department and Youth Ministry. Ms. Davis currently resides in Norfolk, Virginia.

Mrs. Chenequa T. Hayden is the Hampton Healthy Families Administrator of Prevention Services for the City of Hampton, Virginia. Mrs. Hayden has been working as an advocate for children and families in the Hampton Roads area for over 18 years.  She serves on various boards and community stakeholders’ groups such as Chairwoman of Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula Executive Committee and Board of Directors, Chairwoman of The Academy of Health, Human and Financial Services Advisory Committee for Hampton City Schools, City of Hampton Stakeholders, and Hampton City Schools Stakeholders. All groups focus on the continuous education and exposure of children, parents, and families to community resources and support that encourages families to function at their fullest potential.  In 2011 she was recognized by the publication “Inside Business” as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” of Hampton Roads for her service and commitment to the Hampton Roads Community.

Mrs. Hayden is a 20-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ® and was initiated into Alpha Lambda chapter, at Virginia State University. She is an active member of the Iota Omega Chapter who has served on the Audit and Graduate Advisory Committees, HBCU 4 Life: A Call To Action Program Committee, and currently serves as Sisterly Relations Co-chairman. Mrs. Hayden is a graduate of Virginia State University holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, Hampton University holding both a Masters of Arts in Counseling with a concentration in Community Agency, an Educational Specialist Degree in Counseling, and a Masters of Philosophy in Human and Social Services from Walden University. In her spare time, she enjoys mentoring youth and young professionals and volunteering to facilitate psychoeducational community workshops. Chenequa resides in Portsmouth with her husband Kuchumbi and son Charles.

Dr. Tamara Cornick is a public school principal who has worked in education for over 15 years. She is a proud graduate of Temple University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She also holds a master’s degree in education, a post-master's certificate in educational leadership and administration, and a Ph.D. in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Dr. Cornick serves on various committees in her school division and community.

Dr. Cornick joined the Illustrious Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ^® in 2017. She is currently the President of the Iota Omega Chapter. She also has held the position of Recording Secretary and served on several committees in the Chapter. Dr. Cornick resides in Virginia Beach with her husband and son.

Ms. Demetrius Fowlkes is an Accounting Professional who has worked in the finance industry for over 20 years. She is a proud graduate of Norfolk State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in 2001 and her Master’s in business administration and finance from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2010. Demetrius is currently a member of other community organizations, where she has served various roles such as Vice President, Grand Officer, and Treasurer. 

Ms. Fowkles joined the Illustrious Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated ® in 2017, where she is currently serving as the Vice President. She also has held the position of Treasurer and Financial Secretary.

Mrs. Anordia Weatherly is an Accounting Professional who has worked over the past 30 years in Fortune 500 companies managing large to mid-size accounting groups; where she specializes in project management, system implementation, and process improvements. Mrs. Weatherly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing with a minor in Accounting from Delaware State University. She is CAPP and Six Sigma certified as well as an active member with the Institute of Finance and Management.

Mrs. Weatherly was initiated into the Delta Lambda chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®, at Delaware State University. A member for 38 years, Weatherly has served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Fundraising, Protocol, and Program Chairman within various chapters throughout three regions. Mrs. Weatherly resides in Chesapeake with her husband, Mr. Thomas Weatherly, and they are parents of four adult children. Bianca and Takeia are active members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc ®.

Ms. Ashley Denise Yelity is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. Ms. Yelity is a member of Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church where she serves on the scholarship committee. In the summer she volunteers with the Read and Feed program.  She also serves as a volunteer for the Adopt–a–Senior Saints Ministry. Ms. Yelity also strives to give back to her community by serving on two non-profit organization boards. She is currently a board member for Pain Provides Purpose an organization built to be able to give back to the community through health and wellness, supplies for families and children, and working with the Norfolk Police Department to help combat gun violence in the city. Ms. Yelity also serves on the board of Daughter Connection of Hampton Roads where the mission is to educate men and women about breast cancer and to focus on early detection.

Ms. Yelity is a 2023 graduate of the Black Brand B-Force accelerator program.  She also is a graduate of the illustrious Elizabeth City State University where she is now a member of the National Alumni Association for Elizabeth City State University serving in the Portsmouth chapter where she held the office of secretary and is now serving in the capacity of the chapter’s public relations manager and on the chapter’s scholarship and recruitment committees. Ms. Yelity also holds a Masters Degree from Strayer University where her major was Educational Leadership.

Ms. Yelity has been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® since 2006. Ms. Yelity came into the Iota Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 2009. Since coming into Iota Omega Ms. Yelity has served as and still holds Graduate Advisor certification. She is chairman of the Health and Strategic Planning committees and co-chairman of the Connections and Environmental Ownership committees. She has served on the Fundraising, Retreat, Family Strengthening, and Scholarship committees. Ms. Yelity has also received numerous awards.