Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Brian Dugan, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, selected Reverend Charles Cheek for a 2020 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA). Every year, the FBI recognizes nearly 60 individuals and organizations across the country who have supported law enforcement and helped improve their communities for the DCLA. Reverend Cheek has been selected for his dedication to racial unity, education, and serving as a liaison between law enforcement and the community. He is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, distinguished leader, mentor, and advocate for diversity and inclusion.
For several years, Reverend Cheek’s work has intersected with the FBI’s mission of protecting the civil rights of all Americans. He is a leader with Made to Flourish, a national network that seeks to empower faith leaders, churches, and communities, and he co-facilitates a monthly Pastors’ Dialogue on racism, poverty, and violence. Reverend Cheek also coordinates a network of allies from local, minority-led churches that encourage collaboration on diversity and inclusion solutions. As a result, the FBI’s Norfolk civil rights unit has engaged in proactive outreach efforts with members of the Pastors’ Dialogue and others to address concerns about local threats and crimes motivated by race, religion, national origin, gender identity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Reverend Cheek’s work includes organizing Community Explosion events where local law enforcement and other organizations share resources with communities of color, sponsoring a circle of reconciliation for mothers of murdered children, and managing the Hampton Roads Christian Community Development Network which seeks to empower men and women of all backgrounds and social statuses. Reverend Cheek also coordinates the Hampton Roads Works for Life Network, which helps to mitigate poverty by preparing the unemployed for work and helping create job opportunities for the underprivileged.
During the Coronavirus pandemic, Reverend Cheek continued his community efforts by hosting discussions between members of law enforcement and violence-prevention advocates, providing school supplies to at-risk families, and helping agencies provide joint services to the community.
Reverend Charles Cheek has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the community and many families in Hampton Roads have benefited from his service. The Norfolk FBI is grateful for his work.