Church Hill Activities & Tutoring Staff

Percy Strickland: Church Hill Activities & Tutoring CEO

Percy grew up in Spivey's Corner, North Carolina where he was surrounded by his family and community. He ended up staying in North Carolina and attending Duke University in Durham, NC. It was here that three life-changing things happened. One, he got involved in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and inter-denominational Christian community on the college campus. Two, Percy started working with Agape Corner, a Christian Boarding School for inner-city children through tutoring and mentoring. Three, he met his lovely wife Angie. After college, Percy conducted biomedical research relating to Tuberculosis while also part-time teaching science and math at Agape Corner Boarding School. Eventually, he decided to clarify his calling by attending a year of classes at Duke Divinity School. It worked, and in 1999, Percy went on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and married Angie.

After an intern year at the College of William and Mary, they were moved to Richmond where both Angie and Percy developed a heart for racial reconciliation and community development, while Percy worked as the staff person for IV at University of Richmond. In an effort to participate in their passions more fully, Percy and Angie moved into Church Hill in the summer of 2001. Eventually, relationships with the community would lead them toward founding CHAT.

Currently, Percy is serving as CEO of CHAT and is also finishing his Master of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary. He loves Duke Basketball and his pretty new daughter Ala-Marie. When he grows up he hopes to play professional basketball or to be a super-hero (or to be a professor of Biblical studies).

Nan Silkunas: Director of Communications and Development

Nan Silkunas grew up outside of Philadelphia and moved to Virginia in order to attend the University of Richmond. There, Nan became active in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She along with others was recruited by then staff worker Percy Strickland to join in his crazy idea, tutoring neighborhood kids in his inner-city home. Nan continued to be involved in the endeavor throughout her time at UR. She has had the privilege of watching a flight of fancy grow and take shape into CHAT, a powerful community development organization that really impacts the lives of kids within Church Hill.

Nan's passion for social justice has lead her all around the world, from serving with the National Preparedness and Response Corps in Florida to researching reconciliation and development in South Africa. This summer, Nan interned with CHAT and felt that this is where God is calling her to use her gift and talents. Nan completed her degree in Leadership Studies this past December and is excited to be filling the role as the Director of Communications and Development for CHAT. She looks forward to assisting CHAT in clarifying its vision, raising support, and extending its mission.