At its Jan. 7 reorganizational meeting, the School Board of the City of Portsmouth elected a new
chairman, Rev. Cardell Patillo, and vice-chairwoman, LaKeesha “Klu” Atkinson.
Patillo was first elected to the School Board in November of 2014. He has served as the vice-chairman
for the past three years. Patillo is the Executive Director for Mile High Kids and Community
Development, Inc. He completed his undergraduate degree in multi-disciplinary studies at Liberty
University; a master’s degree in pastoral counseling at Liberty University; and a Master of Divinity
degree at The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. In addition to his
role on the Board, Patillo continues to serve the community through other boards and appointments. He
currently serves as Vice Chair of the Virginia Public School Authority and the Board of Directors for the
Virginia School Board Association.
Atkinson was first elected to the School Board in 2016. She is the founder of the “Believe, Pray,
Overcome” organization and is a leader in a variety of community efforts and events, including the “We
Are Against Bullying” program, which focuses on the prevention of bullying. A graduate of Woodrow
Wilson High School, Atkinson went on to graduate from Norfolk State University as a criminal justice
major and minoring in sociology. Atkinson also serves as a board member of the Portsmouth chapter of
the NAACP and serves on the M.A.N (Men.Alleviating.Negativity) Foundation Board.
For more information about the new chairman and vice-chairwoman as well as members of the School
Board, including upcoming Board meetings, visit the School Board page on ppsk12.us.