Norfolk FBI Announces 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient

Special Agent in Charge John Boles of the Norfolk Field Office of the FBI announced his selection of Ms. Tressa Denise Johnson, Management Analyst, Human Services Department for the City of Norfolk, as the local recipient of the FBI’s 2012 Director’s Community Leadership Award for her commitment to the youth and communities in Hampton Roads.

Ms. Johnson’s work in the community began over seven years ago when she became an active member of the Virginia Gang Investigators Association. Since 2010, Ms. Johnson has volunteered to work with after-school programs where she provides assistance with homework, facilitates group discussions, and encourages at-risk students to remain drug and crime free.

In May 2011, Ms. Johnson graduated from the FBI’s Citizens’ Academy and became an active member of the Norfolk FBI’s Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association. As such, she successfully wrote a grant proposal on behalf of the Alumni Association to spearhead a workshop sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for a project known as “America Healing: A Racial Equity Initiative.”

The workshop was subsequently sponsored by the Alumni Association in April 2012, with support of the Norfolk FBI, as a way to highlight Norfolk’s Civil Rights Program and:

■Be a catalyst for improving the quality of life within the individual communities through law enforcement related and awareness programs

■Establish the exchange of information between the FBI and the community

■Foster racial relations among communities and individuals

Ms. Johnson continues to develop outreach ideas, seek out grant funding for the Alumni Association, and give presentations with Norfolk FBI staff and local law enforcement on Bullying and Gangs.

Ms. Johnson will be formally presented with an award on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. at the office of the Norfolk FBI located at 150 Corporate Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23502.

Members of the press and media are invited to attend.