Mrs. Atkins is a mom with a victorious spirit, dedicated to making a difference through public service. She has focused her efforts on key areas that shape and uplift communities. Her top priorities include:
- Education: Fighting for access to quality education for all.
- Empowerment: Human Dignity (advocating for the respect and rights of individuals), Well-Being (promoting health and happiness in the community) Leadership Accountability (holding leaders to the highest standards of integrity and responsibility)
- Environmental Sustainability: Protecting our planet for future generations.
Mrs. Atkins continues to inspire and lead by example, driving positive change and making a lasting impact in the lives of many. Join her on the Better for All journey towards a brighter future. A few highlights of awards, achievements, and more are below.
Awards
- Volunteer of the Year Award presented by Junior Achievement of Central Virginia (2000)
- Outstanding Volunteer Award presented Capital One Community Corps (2003 & 2004)
- Volunteer of the Year Award presented by the Henrico County Council of PTAs (2017)
- Community Positive Impact Award presented by Rising Towards Success, Inc. (2020)
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Community Service Award (2021)
- D.I.A.M.O.N.D Mentor at the Academy of VA Randolph and Extraordinary Service Award (2021)
- Remarkable Woman Award presented by the Artisans for Action RVA (2022)
- Child Advocate of the Year Award presented by the Virginia Parent Teacher Association (2022)
- Community Advocate Award presented by the Henrico NAACP (2022)
- Community Support Award presented by Capcity Characters RVA (2023)
- Black History Month Celebration Recognition Award presented by the Henrico NAACP (2024)
Achievements
2006-2007
- Contributed to serving 560 children with mentoring services in greater Richmond and Tri-Cities; and the expansion of services at Blackwell Elementary, Fairfield Court Elementary in Richmond and Carter G. Woodson Middle School in Hopewell with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
2008
- Inducted into the Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of executives and professionals
2013-2018
- VA PTA Voting Delegate - Richmond, VA District & VA PTA Legislative Advocate - Henrico County, VA
2019
- First woman and African American elected to serve Sandston, Varina, and Highland Springs (Varina District) as a School Board member. Mrs. Atkins won a competitive 4-candidate election, securing 44.6% of the total votes.
2020
- Advocated and voted for policies that promote and protect equity to include the successful removal of gender-racial bias in the HCPS dress code.
2021
- First HCPS Henrico Virtual Academy PTSA Sponsor.
- Appointed to the Henrico Christmas Mother Council.
- Advocated and voted for the Henrico County 2023-28 Capital Improvement Plan to include an Environmental Education Living Building (first in the country in a K-12 grade setting) and New Highland Springs Elementary School.
- Advocated and voted for policies that promote wellness to include the successful addition of wellness days added to the HCPS calendar.
- Successfully championed for a HCPS full-service community hub at the Oak Avenue Complex in Highland Springs. The complex will provide access to health care, mental health services, dental services; classrooms where family members can take classes or pursue a GED; a food pantry, and more.
2022
- Effectively lead and supported efforts to expand PTAs, PTSAs, and PTOs in the Varina District.
- Opened the state-of-the-art new Highland Springs High School.
- Successfully championed and launched the new Center for Environmental Studies for HCPS.
2023
- Elected to a second term on the Henrico School Board with 72.8% of the votes.
- First woman and African American elected to serve in a leadership role as Vice-Chair for the Henrico County School Board.
- Advocated and voted for a Paid Parental Leave policy that offers up to eight weeks of paid parental leave to full-time and permanent part-time Henrico County Public Schools employees for the care and well-being of a newborn or newly-adopted child or foster care placement.
2024
- Opened the new Advanced Career Center at Highland Springs High School.
- Successfully championed for the first middle school specialty center in the Varina District. The inaugural Center for Innovation opened in August at John Rolfe Middle School.
- Successfully advocated, presented, and received unanimous support from each Board member for the very first Educational Equity Policy voted into HCPS policy.
- Selected to participated in TedxYouth@RVA (an independently organized TED event) as part of the Generate Series, presenting on how architecture can harmonize with nature and history. (2024)
Education
Mrs. Atkins, a proud Highland Springs High School alumna, has dedicated her life to serving and empowering her community through expertise-driven leadership and advocacy. Armed with an Associate Degree in Business Administration from California Coast University, a LEAP Certification from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a DeafBlind Certification from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, she has cultivated a deep understanding of education, accessibility, and equitable opportunity.
Her multidimensional expertise enables her to drive impactful change, breaking barriers for all populations and ensuring that every individual—regardless of ability or background—has access to the resources, support, and opportunities they deserve.
Current Boards and Committees
- Artisans for Action RVA Board Member
- Chickahominy YMCA MEI Committee Member
- Community Food Collaborative Board Member
- HCPS Healthy Family Community Advisory Committee Member
- HCPS Instructional Materials Review Committee Member
- HCPS School Health Advisory Board Member
- Henrico NAACP ACT-SO Committee Member
- Maggie L. Walker Governor School Board Member
- Parent Teacher Association (PTA, PTSA) Member
Campaign Endorsements
- 2019: Henrico Education Association, John Montgomery-Former Henrico School Board Member representing the Varina District, Richmond Association of REALTORS
- 2023: EducateUs, Equality Virginia, Henrico Education Association, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, Senator Lashrecse D. Aird, Delegate Schuyler VanValkenburg, Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Chair Ann-Marie Leake, NAACP Leader and Community Champion Raiford Beasley, Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor, We the People, People for the American Way