Tawanna Patterson is originally from Cumberland County, relocated to Buckingham County 8 years ago with her husband and 3 three boys. Tawanna is currently employed by a non-profit as a Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor since 2010. Tawanna attended Old Dominion University earning her undergraduate degree in Counseling and completed course work at Liberty University earning a MA in Professional Counseling. She is also currently working toward Virginia licensure as a professional counselor. Always willing to help and serve others, Tawanna is a part of the Board of Directors of All God’s Children Childcare Development Center serving children and families in the Buckingham, Fluvanna, Albemarle, and Charlottesville areas. Tawanna also serves on the Board of Directors for Straight Street Buckingham in the capacity of Public Relations secretary.
Joseph Patterson
Straight Street President
Joseph Patterson is a native of Buckingham County. After graduating, he served 5 years of active duty in the United States Marine Corp and was honorably discharged in 2008 having spent time in Iraq and several other European and Asian countries. Upon honorable discharge from the USMC, Joseph attended Liberty University and finished his B.S. degree in Education in 2008. Joseph landed his first teaching job at Elk Hill Inc., in Goochland County; there he held numerous positions from evening counselor, science teacher, to assistant principal in 2015, after he earned his M.A.T. in Education. Joseph is currently employed through Charlottesville City Schools. Today Joseph resides in Buckingham, VA where he is married to Tawanna and they have 3 children. After having a few meetings with the organization, Joseph felt compelled to join the Straight Street board because he saw it as a way to contribute to the community where he grew up and further his aspirations to impact youth. In 2017, he was installed as the Youth Pastor of TheVille church affiliated with PBC ministries in New Canton, VA. He and his wife serve as members of Straight Street Buckingham organization, where he serves as president.
Tawanna Patterson
Public Relations Secretary
Duane Cunningham
Straight Street Vice-President
Duane Cunningham comes to Straight Street by way of Los Angeles, California and Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating high school in Arkansas, he briefly attended Morehouse College before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After he served 8 years on Active Duty, to include a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his military service he began working as a defense contractor for General Dynamics C4 Systems, where he spent 2006 – 2017, deploying multiple Middle Eastern and Southwest Asian countries, in support of the U.S. Armed forces. His education includes an A.S. in Electrical Engineering, a B.S. in Electronics Engineering, and a Masters in Information Technology Management. Duane is currently employed by General Dynamics Mission Systems, formerly General Dynamics C4 Systems, where he holds the position of BICES-X Site Lead at Langley AFB. As a youth Duane benefitted from non-profits, similar to Straight Street, by their ability to help keep him out of trouble, helping him see that his life had value, and by granting him access to computers which he otherwise wouldn’t had access too. In his high school years he worked as an after school tutor for grade school kids while working at Future Builders Inc. in Little Rock, AR. Today Duane resides in Hampton, VA with his wife Tara (aka his Queen) of 15 years, and their four children (aka little blessing). He and his wife serve as members of Straight Street Buckingham organization, where he serves as vice-president.