2020 Community Service Award Recipients

Dr. Tommy Bogger has served at Norfolk State University since 1969. As a Professor of History, former Director of the Lyman Beecher Brooks Memorial Library and present Director of the Harrison B. Wilson Archives, Dr. Bogger’s imprint is felt on that campus. As a trained Historian, he has written several books, most notably Free Blacks in Norfolk, 1790 – 1860: The Darker Side of Freedom. This research received an Honorable Mention by the Library of Virginia. Over his 50 years of service to the university, he has also represented the university as an expert Ambassador in the city on the following boards;

Literary Judge with the Library of Virginia;
Board Member, Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau Training and Research Foundation
Board Member, Norfolk Historical Society
Sub-Committee on Historic Homes, Chrysler Museum

Dr. Bogger is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

In partnership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Iota Omega Chapter, the Norfolk Pearls Foundation are pleased to recognize Dr. Bogger with the 2020 HBCU Drum Major Award!

Community Health Educator with Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Ms. Angela Duke educates people as a way of life. A staple in the Norfolk community, Ms. Duke educates the community about prevention and early detection of four types of cancer; breast, skin, prostate and oral. She explains the importance of early detection as preventive measures, in her effort to suppress the impact cancer has in the African American community. She speaks at health fairs, schools, ball games, churches and special events. As a cancer survivor, she is able to use her own story and experiences to personalize the impact of cancer. She also uses science to explain why preventive efforts are the best routes to detection and cures. Her instruction with children is especially meaningful to her, as she believes she is impacting early lifestyle choices

Her award is named after the 12th Chapter President of Iota Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Mrs. Constance Ferebee Jones. Mrs. Jones was a Norfolk native, and participated in the historic AKA Mississippi Health Project, in the Mississippi Delta during the Great Depression.

In partnership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Iota Omega Chapter, the Norfolk Pearls Foundation are pleased to recognize Ms. Angela Duke with the 2020 Constance Ferebee Jones Women’s Healthcare and Wellness Award!

Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Van Guns is the Senior Pastor of the Second Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, where he has served since 1983. Dr. Guns served as the President of the Virginia Baptist State Convention (VBSC) from 1997 to 2001 and as the Moderator for the Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Association (TPBA). He has written numerous articles for the Christian Education Informer, in addition to various Sunday school quarterlies. Dr. Guns serves as Vice Chairman of the Council of Christian Education for the Department of Christian Education of the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention (NBC). Given his bandwidth in Christian Education, he has traveled extensively to Israel, Turkey, Greece, and parts of Africa. He has led his church members, and other persons in the Norfolk community on several mission trips to Nigeria and Kenya. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

His award is named after the 30th Chapter President of Iota Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Ms. Lillian Brinkley, a noted city of Norfolk Principal, and nationally renown Educator.

In partnership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Iota Omega Chapter, the Norfolk Pearls Foundation are pleased to recognize Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Guns with the 2020 Lillian Brinkley Global Impact Award!

Matthew Sanderson III is a native of Virginia Beach. He is the owner of the State Farm Agency located at 421 S. Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach, and he is licensed in Virginia and North Carolina. From a professional perspective, his office is dedicated to providing the community with the right life, auto, home, business, and financial service products. His advice focuses on economic and community empowerment to encourage insurance coverage. He admonishes the community to "reach out to an Agent, review your life insurance policy, understand it, and ensure that your policy still fits your needs, your family's future could depend on it". He emphasizes the importance of being accessible to his community on both a business and personal level. Leading through action, he has participated in various community outreach projects.

His award is named after Norfolk native, 41st Chapter President of Iota Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Mrs. Carla Perry, tax and financial expert.

In partnership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Iota Omega Chapter, the Norfolk Pearls Foundation are pleased to recognize Mr. Matthew Sanderson, III with the 2020 Carla Perry Award for Economic Empowerment!

Teens With A Purpose (TWP) celebrates over 22 years of providing teen leadership training regionally and nationally. Founded by Ms. Deirdre Love, it is a 501©(3) non-profit youth development organization to empower young people to use their voice, creativity, reflection and action to affect personal growth, transform lives and impact communities. TWP creates opportunities for youth to succeed, influence others, and to partake in arts and humanities programs that culminate in public performance and creative productions designed to build self esteem and self-efficacy. TWP is housed at the Vivian Carter Mason Center for Art and Technology, named after a civil rights pioneer and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

This award is named after Norfolk native, the late Mrs. Joyce Gilliam Brown, a member of the Iota Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc® for over 50 years. She was an award winning, nationally renown folklorist and storyteller.

In partnership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Iota Omega Chapter, the Norfolk Pearls Foundation are pleased to recognize Teens With A Purpose and Ms. Deirdre Love with the 2020 Joyce Gilliam Brown Award for The Arts!