City of Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission Commissioner Biographies
Listed in alphabetical order
Beatriz Amberman (2nd Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2015 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2018
Commissioner Amberman has devoted more than 30 years of her professional career to serving as a cultural and civic ambassador. She founded the Hispanic Community Dialogue Organization in Hampton Roads to promote civic participation. Commissioner Amberman has been trained as a Court Certified Mediator by the Virginia Beach Social Services Department and as a moderator and facilitator by The Kettering Foundation, in Dayton, Ohio, and The Virginia National Public Policy Institute. Commissioner Amberman strongly believes that open communication and deliberation of important issues impacting the community are the best ways to create better understanding and unite diverse communities.
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Latino Advisory Board (VLAB) by three consecutive Virginia Governors: Mark R. Warner, Timothy M. Kaine and Robert F. McDonnell. She served as Chair from 2008 to 2009 and was appointed Vice Chair by Governor Warner from 2003 until 2008. Executive National Vice President for the Mexican American Coalition Vice Chair and Founding Member of the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations Member of The Advisory Council of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, Mexican Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Relations Co-Chair of the National Commission for Immigrant Affairs for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Executive Board Member, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, (VCIC). Founding Member, and Past Vice-Chair, Multicultural Alliance of Virginia (MAVA). Broadband for America Advisory Board Member, Citizens Advisory Board, Virginian Pilot Newspaper, Tidewater Region. Cox Communications Charities Virginia Advisory Board
Pankti Barot (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 08/15/2017 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2020
Commissioner Barot graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 earning a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Spanish and Religious Studies. Post- graduation, she spent some time working in the Virginia House of Delegates with Former Delegate Harvey Morgan. She then continued to explore her passion for government by working under both Congressman Scott Rigell and Former Senator Jim Webb. Ms. Barot started her career in education as a long-term substitute teacher at both Norfolk Academy and Cape Henry Collegiate, quickly transitioning into a full-time role at Cape Henry. She began her journey at Nansemond- Suffolk Academy in 2016 and continues to serve in the field of education. Outside of the classroom, Ms. Barot's passions include spending time with her family, reading, philosophy and painting.
City of Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission Commissioner Biographies
Michael Berlucchi (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 05/20/2015 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2018
Commissioner Berlucchi is the Community Engagement Manager at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia where he creates and implements educational and community partnerships to engage diverse audiences across Hampton Roads and develops new strategic initiatives to expand the Museum’s audiences, particularly those in underserved constituencies. He is a native resident of Virginia Beach and was awarded a B.A. in Government and International Politics from George Mason University. Commissioner Berlucchi was recognized by Inside Business as one of the Top Forty under 40 for 2015.
"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential" ~ Winston Churchill ~
Appointments and Community Involvement:
President of the Board Directors of Hampton Roads Pride, and has served the organization in various capacities including as vice president, co-chairman of PrideFest, chairman and co-founder of the Pride Block Party, and chairman of the Events and Communications committees. Member of Hampton Roads Business Outreach (HRBOR) Member of Equality Virginia Serves on the Board of Directors of the Norfolk Tourism Research Foundation Member of the Downtown Norfolk Council’s Downtown 100 Member of WHRO’s Community Advisory Board Member of Hampton Roads Business Outreach (HRBOR) Member of Equality Virginia
Vivian Blaize - (3rd Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Commissioner Blaize is and entrepreneur as well as President and CEO of Blaize Events & Media, Inc. She holds a Master of Arts in Humanities with an emphasis on Communications, a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and an Associate of Science in Business Administration, from Old Dominion University.
""We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..." ~Thomas Jefferson – The Declaration of Independence~
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Serves as 1st Vice President Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations (VBCCO) Serves as Treasurer for the Virginia Association for Human Rights (VAHR) Serves as a Virginia Beach City Election Official Revised 10/3/2017 City of Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission Commissioner Biographies
Tomasine “Tommie” Cubine (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Commissioner Cubine has worked for over forty years with people with serious mental illnesses and family members. After retiring from the Mental Health Substance Abuse Division of the VB Department of Human Services she continued as a volunteer serving on the Board of Directors with NAMI Virginia (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for nine years and on the NAMI Virginia Beach Board for the past 6 years. She is the co-author of the Mutual Education, Support & Advocacy Program (MESA) Family Workshops Leaders Manual and has taught MESA along with family members since it was first developed in 1987. Commissioner Cubine holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and a License in Clinical Social Work.
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Serves on Board of Directors with National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Founding member of the Galilee Advocates for Mental Health Ministry Served as secretary on the Virginia Beach Crisis Intervention Team Interfaith Committee.
Nicholas DiNonno (1st Term – Student Commissioner) Appointed: 08/15/2017 to a two year term expiring on 08/31/2019
Commissioner DiNonno is a junior and currently attends Princess Anne High School.
Joseph Hyatt (1st Term – Student Commissioner) Appointed: 09/01/2016 to a two year term expiring on 08/31/2018
Commissioner Hyatt is a Senior and currently attends Salem High School for the Visual and Performing Arts Academy, with an emphasis in theatre. He is a member of the Salem High School National Honor Society as well as the International Thespian Society. Commissioner Hyatt is involved in several organizations including, the Salem Middle School leadership workshop, and the Feeder Elementary School leadership workshop program.
“If you care enough for a result, you will most certainly attain it.” ~William James~
Appointments and Community Involvement:
2016 Leadership Workshop Coordinator 2016 Feeder Elementary School Leadership Workshop Program Salem High School’s Student Cooperation Association Historian Salem High School National Honor Society Member of International Thespian Society Salem High School’s Student Cooperation Association Historian
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Rajeeb Islam - Chairman (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2014 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2020
Commissioner Islam has served with the VBHRC since 2013 and is the current Chairman of the VBHRC. He is also a city employee with the Virginia Beach Department of EMS since 1999, where he served as a Paramedic, Volunteer Brigade Chief and currently as an administrative volunteer with the Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad and as an EMS Captain in the Operations Division. He is a Planning Section Chief with VA-1 DMAT, and has deployed serial times with the most notable response with Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Commissioner Islam holds a Master's in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master's in Public Administration from Old Dominion University. In 2014, alongside fellow Commissioner Teresa Stanley, was presented the VAHRC Commissioner of the year award for work done during the St. Francis and the Saint program. In 2015, they were again both recognized for their continuing work by being the recipients of their Annual Peace and Dialogue Award by the Rumi Forum.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" ~ Sir Edmund Burke
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Serves on the Planning Commission PTA Board Member for Thalia Elementary School Bylaws Committee Chair - Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad Banquet Committee Vice Chair – Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad
Dr. Virginia (Ginger) Jenkot (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 08/15/2017 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2020
Commissioner Jenkot holds Bachelor’s, Master’s, and a Doctoral degrees in Education. With her extensive knowledge of school law, policies and procedures relevant to the Virginia Beach school division, as well as consistent monitoring of compliance to federal laws; she served 40 years in public school education as teacher and an administrator. Her passion is to support and protect the basic human rights of all members of the community.
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Board of Directors Hampton Roads Pride (HRP) Awarded “Outstanding Leadership 2017” by HRP Co-chair HRP PrideFest 2017 festival (20,000 attendees) HRP Dignitary Liaison / Member Equality Virginia Chairwoman for Annual Empty Bowls Charity Dinner
““To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.” ~ Nelson Mandela ~
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Mary Mathena (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Commissioner Mathena has been employed as a museum aide and researcher at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, volunteer coordinator with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and as a fund raiser for the Endependence Center, a non-profit center for independent living (CIL) that provides services for persons with disabilities. Commissioner Mathena graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor and Master of Arts in History. She is currently employed as a Customer Services Representative at Black & White Cabs.
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Member of the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) Advisory Council Serves on the Faith Inclusion Network (FIN) Board of Directors Member of the Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council Member of the Southside Lions Club Affiliate member of the Virginia Beach Town Center-Blind Lions Club Member of the Virginia Beach Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities State Board Representative of the Chesapeake Bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Serves as Secretary on the Bayside Special Services Advisory Board Served as Secretary on the Residents Council at The Sands Served as Vice Chair of the HRT Paratransit Advisory Committee
Fortunanto “JoJo” Orencia Jr. (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 09/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019 Commissioner Orencia is a freelance writer and a legally trained reviewer. He received his M.S. in Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland College Park and his J.D. Law from the University of the District of Columbia-The David A. Clark School of Law.
““They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Carl W. Buechner quotes
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Fil Fest Coordinator Member of National Federation of Filipino American Associations
James E. Parke (2nd Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2014 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2020
Commissioner Parke is a retired priest from Church of the Ascension and Holy Apostles. He received his BA in Philosophy from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA and his MA in Sacred Theology from Saint Mary’s in Baltimore, MD Revised 10/3/2017 City of Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission Commissioner Biographies
“You have more possibilities than you can ever imagine!” ~ Unknown ~
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Member of the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) Advisory Council Serves on the Faith Inclusion Network (FIN) Board of Directors Member of the Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council Member of the Chesapeake Southside Lions Club Affiliate member of the Virginia Beach Town Center-Blind Lions, Member of the Virginia Beach Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities State board Member of the Chesapeake Bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Serves as Secretary on the Bayside Special Services Advisory Board Served as Secretary on the Residents Council at The Sands Served as Vice Chair of the HRT Paratransit Advisory Committee
William C. Rice (3rd Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Chairman Rice has over forty years of law enforcement experience in New York City and Virginia. He is Vice President for Recruitment & Retention for the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men. In addition, he serves as the President of the Old Dominion University Credit Union.
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Serves as Vice President for Recruitment & Retention for the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men Serves as the President of the Old Dominion University Credit Union
Luis Rivera MA Ed. (2nd Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Commissioner Rivera is a native of Puerto Rico and has lived with his wife and children in Virginia Beach for over 25 years. He has served as a private school Headmaster and a television news reporter as well as on numerous non-profit organizational boards, including several appointments to the Minority Business Council. He was awarded the Human Rights Commission Award in 1998. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Social Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University and his Master in Education degree at Regent University. Commissioner Rivera currently works closely with the Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Leadership Forum.
Revised 10/3/2017 City of Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission Commissioner Biographies
“If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt~
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Served on the Minority Business Council Member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Member of the Hispanic Leadership Forum
Teresa Stanley (2nd Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Commissioner Stanley has worked in faith-based community organizing since 1985. She currently serves as the South Hampton Roads community organizer for Virginia Organizing, a grassroots multi issue social justice organization. Prior to joining Virginia Organizing in August of 2009, she was the coordinator of social justice ministry for St. Nicholas Catholic Parish in Virginia Beach and Holy Redeemer in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and served at the Office of Justice and Peace Tidewater Liaison for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. Commissioner Stanley helped to found the Tidewater Sowers of Justice, a network of social justice advocates and the Voices that Challenge, a youth and young adult social justice movement. As a trained mediator, she implemented a restorative justice victim/offender mediation program for youth in Dare County Teen Court and facilitates conflict resolution and mediation trainings. She has an undergraduate degree from Old Dominion University and Masters from Loyola University, New Orleans.
"An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" ~Martin Luther King Jr~.
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Serves as South Hampton Roads Community Organizer for Virginia Organizing Serves on the board of Volunteers of America Serves on the planning board of BEACH Founding member of the Tidewater Sowers of Justice Member of the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach Served at the Office of Justice and Peace Tidewater Liaison for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Sylvia Nery-Strickland (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2015 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2018
Commissioner Nery-Strickland is an artist, event coordinator, and community organizer. After retirement from the US Government, she has worked in project management and mediation while furthering her lifelong work as an artist/designer and advocate. She holds appointed positions Revised 10/3/2017 City of Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission Commissioner Biographies
and volunteers for several community groups, citywide, statewide, and national. Giving back is important to Commissioner Nery-Strickland. Her passion for collaboration and her work as an agent and promoter have provided the opportunity to aid others in finding the best in themselves and the right venue to share their talents.
“Walk your own path…follow no one” ~ Unknown ~
Appointments and Community Involvement:
VB Resort Advisory Commissioner Filipino American National Historical Society, President Hampton Roads Chapter, Charter member Filipino American Community Action Group, Charter Member Philippine American Community of Tidewater, member Council of Untied Filipinos of Tidewater, member Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian Tribe, Tribal Member Eastern Sky Native American Drum, member Morning Thunder Native American Drum, member Virginia Association of Human Rights, founding member ViBe District Association, member
Ronald Taylor- Vice Chairman (Completing an Unexpired Term) Appointed: 01/07/2015 to complete a previous Commissioner’s term expiring on 03/31/2020 Commissioner Taylor is a retired Chief Petty officer of the United States Navy with over twenty-two years of service to his country. Other past roles include Director of Internal Affairs at the Riverside Regional Jail and Youth Service Supervisor for the City of Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. He holds a Certificate of Completion in Correctional Management from Christopher Newport University, an Associate Degree of Liberal Arts, a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and minor in Sociology from St. Leo University, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Capella University. He is also a Ph.D. candidate in Human Service from Capella University. As a business owner, Mr. Ronald Taylor is the founder and President of JUSTBY5 INC, a community mental health skills-building service developed to intervene for older adolescents and adults who have serious mental illness and emotional problems. Commissioner Taylor believes and promotes education because education is the key that's unlocks all dreams and potential in an individual. He believes that our prize possessions can be taken away however never our level of knowledge in education.
Appointments and Community Involvement:
President and founder of Men of Faith of Virginia Beach Founder of Hampton Roads Youth Virginia Beach's Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) Member of the Community Advisory Council (HRYCAC)
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Serves on the mayor's African American Roundtable Serves on the City of Virginia Beach Public School's Equity Council
Frances Knight Thompson (1st Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Commissioner Thompson was a VBCPS elementary music teacher for 15 years and a professional school counselor with Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 22 years. Through her passion for education, she has worked to increase the identification of students in underrepresented populations for gifted programs as well as address the issue of closing the achievement gap of African American males. As a former Human Rights Commission Humanitarian Award recipient, Commissioner Thompson has been recognized for her distinguished service to the community and her commitment to equity in education. She is also a previous recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leaders Award from the Hampton Roads Urban League.
"Committed to Children - Dedicated to Excellence" ~Frances Knight Thompson~
Appointments and Community Involvement:
Member of the Board of Directors of Virginia Beach CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Member of the Virginia Beach City Public Schools Equity Council Member of the Executive Advisory Committee of Teens With A Purpose Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Hampton Roads Diversity and Inclusion Consortium Serves as Executive Pastor of Mount Sinai Family Life Christian Center Vice-President and Program Director of Chain Breakers, Incorporated
Rabbi Israel Zoberman (2nd Consecutive Term) Appointed: 04/01/2016 to a three year term expiring on 03/31/2019
Commissioner Zoberman is the founding Rabbi and has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Chaverim in Virginia Beach since 1985. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Roosevelt University in Chicago and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1971. He also received a Bachelor of Hebrew Literature Degree from The College of Jewish Studies (now Spertus Institute) in Chicago. He was ordained as a Reform Rabbi in 1974, at the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, where he also received a Master’s Degree in Hebrew Letters. He is the only Rabbi to earn a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Counseling from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago (1980), which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
"God’s divinity and human dignity are inseparable” ~Rabbi Israel Zoberman~
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Appointments and Community Involvement:
Served on JCPA’s (the national Jewish Council for Public Affairs) Board of Directors Served as the Chairman of the Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Member of the Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Member of UJC Rabbinic Cabinet Member of ARZA Rabbinic Cabinet Past President of the Virginia Beach Clergy Association Past President of the Hampton Roads Board of Rabbis Former Chairman of the JCPA Interfaith Relations Committee Former member of the JCPA Membership Committee Former member of the 2005 Plenum Committee
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