Congratulations to this year's award winners recognized for making significant contributions to their communities, embodying principles of leadership, service, and excellence!
DR. KIRK T. HOUSTON, SR.
Samuel DeWitt Proctor Award ★ Community Leader Winner
Dr. Kirk T. Houston Sr. is the founder and senior pastor of Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia—a vibrant and growing ministry he has led from 35 members to over 2,000. | With a passion for restorative ministry and social impact, Dr. Houston has devoted his career to serving the spiritual and practical needs of the community. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary and a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. His extensive work and research in jail ministry, offender rehabilitation, and reentry services have made him a respected voice in criminal justice reform and community restoration. Dr. Houston's commitment to service extends far beyond the pulpit. He serves as Programs Director for the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office, Chairman of the Norfolk Jail Ministry’s Board of |
Directors, Chairman of the Garden of Hope Community Development Corporation, and a member of the Tidewater Community College Board. He is also a former Chairman of the Norfolk School Board and an eight-year veteran of the United States Navy. He is the author of The Church’s Return Policy: Equipping the Church to Minister to Ex-offenders.
A native of South Florida, Dr. Houston now lives in Hampton Roads with his wife, Sharon D. Houston, who serves as Director of Ministries at Gethsemane and Deputy Director of the Garden of Hope. They are the proud parents of two children, Sharonja and Rev. Kirk Jr., and the joyful grandparents of J’syiah, Kirk III, Marc, and Max. ★ |
DR. RICHARD M. MASON, JR.
Carter G. Woodson Award ★ Educator Winner
For over 25 years, Dr. Richard M. Mason, Jr. has dedicated his career to improving the lives of youth and families through leadership in mental health, education, and community service. A licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Georgia, Dr. Mason is the Interim Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the School of Liberal Arts and Education at Hampton University, where he has also served as Assistant Provost for Student Support and Chair of the Department of Counseling. Under his leadership, the department achieved two successful accreditations. He has served the university in numerous capacities, including University Grand Marshal and Faculty Trustee. Dr. Mason is deeply engaged in the Hampton Roads community and | contributes his voice and expertise as a co-host of WHOV’s Sunday Brunch with the Good Doctors and as a child and adolescent expert on WAVY TV 10’s Kid Talk. He is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of the Virginia Peninsula, and Chi Sigma Iota National Counseling Honor Society. Dr. Mason serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula, and was appointed to the Lt. Governor’s COVID-19 Taskforce. He also serves on numerous other boards dedicated to youth and mental wellness. A proud Hampton University alumnus, Dr. Mason also holds advanced degrees from the College of William & Mary and Regent University. His research focuses on trauma, resilience, and integrated care models in education to support | students and families. Dr. Mason lives in Hampton with his wife, Dr. Kellie Mason, and their son, Richard Mason III. ★ |
TERRY O. CLARK 200+ Men Mentor of the Year Terry O. Clark, a native of Portsmouth, VA, is a dedicated mentor, leader, and advocate for youth development. A graduate of Norfolk State University, Clark has had a distinguished 38-year career as an Aerospace Designer at NASA Langley Research Center, contributing to key aerospace innovations. He also serves as a member of NASA’s Speaker Bureau, inspiring future engineers and leaders. For 15 years, Clark has been a committed member of the Committee of 200+ Men, where he has mentored young men through Brother-to-Brother camps and the Scholar Academy. His mentorship is driven by his own personal experiences, including overcoming academic challenges |
and the loss of his father at the age of 12. It was through the guidance of Dr. Charles Bowens III that Clark became involved with the Committee
| of 200+ Men, and he is now dedicated to paying it forward by supporting the next generation of leaders. Clark’s service extends beyond mentoring. He has served as President of Southeastern VA Pop Warner Youth Football & Cheerleading, Youth Leader and Trustee Chairman at Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church, and JV Basketball Coach at Hampton Christian School. A proud husband of 38 years to his high school sweetheart, Cynthia, Clark is also the father of three college graduates: Terry II, Stephen, and Nicholas, who were all former 200+ Scholars. Through his work, Clark continues to empower young men, instilling confidence, responsibility, and leadership that will serve them throughout their lives. ★ |
IAN MICHAEL LINDO John R. Lewis Award ★ Young Adult Leader Winner Ian Michael Lindo, son of Michelle Effatt and Michael Lindo is the Valedictorian of the 2025 graduating class of Israel Charles Norcom (I.C. Norcom) High School in Portsmouth, Virginia. Boasting a 4.30 GPA, Ian is the first Black male at I.C. Norcom to achieve the distinction of Valedictorian in nearly a decade. Notable achievements include nomination from the Virginian Department of Education for the 2025 U. S. Presidential Scholars Program, recognition as the 2025 Military Child of the Year for the Coast Guard by Operation Homefront and graduating with an associate’s degree in science from Tidewater Community College in May 2025. Ian’s guiding philosophy is "Each one can reach one when we teach one.” Following this principle, he is committed to using his passion and talents to influence positive changes in society. To achieve his goals, he will attend North Carolina A&T State University where he will study Civil Engineering. Ian’s future goals include designing roads, bridges, and water systems to improve infrastructure that enhances safety and connectivity in underserved communities, to improve quality of life for citizens. ★ |