Domestic Violence Coalition Honors Education Professor for Victims Advocacy

Dr. Akeda Pearson Recognized for Support & Education for Victims & Survivors

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – A Bowie State University education professor, veteran domestic violence survivors advocate and talk show host is being honored by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) for her dedication to educating the public about intimate partner violence.

Since 2017, Assistant Professor Akeda Pearson has hosted the 3^rd Sunday Tea Talk Show to connect victims and survivors of domestic violence to community resources and safety information. The talk show grew out of an outreach initiative that Dr. Pearson founded three years earlier to celebrate and assist victims of intimate partner violence. On Thursday, the MNADV, Maryland’s domestic violence coalition, will present her with its Community Partners Award at its virtual Annual Meeting for her advocacy and support of domestic violence victims and survivors.

Referring to her advocacy as “heart work,” she believe that she has a higher calling to support victims and survivors.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the work, and it also magnifies how important the work is and how it should continue,” said. Dr. Pearson. “It’s not something that people like to talk about. We know that it’s not just physical violence. It’s emotional, financial and spiritual.”

In addition to her talk show, Dr. Pearson has received a gubernatorial appointment to the Maryland State Ethics Committee’s Family Violence Council. She is the founder and president of the Howard County Coalition to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence. She also serves as a board member for the Governor's Office Interfaith Domestic Violence Coalition and an executive board member of the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church’s Seeds of Security, an organization providing emergency housing for victims of violence.

“The silence hides the violence,” she said. “It’s very important for everyone to be educated because you never know who may be in your circle or who you may have some influence with where you could provide someone with help. Education about domestic violence is paramount for everyone.”

###

About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.