Executive Director

Executive Director

Dr. Cardell C. Patillo, Jr.

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia , Cardell C. Patillo, Jr. has been favored to spread the message of hope. A  gifted communicator, teacher and mentor, Cardell has dedicated his life to service.

Cardell completed his undergraduate studies attending Norfolk State University and Liberty University. Cardell earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In May of 2013 Cardell completed the Master of Divinity program at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (Richmond, Virginia). He recently completed is doctoral studies in Healthcare Administration at the Virginia University of Lynchburg in 2021.

Cardell served for 8 years as the full time Youth Pastor on staff at Grove Baptist Church where Dr. Melvin O. Marriner is Senior Pastor. The youth ministry was a vibrant ministry which served over 700 youth between the ages of 3 and 20.

Cardell is currently the Executive Director of the Mile High Kids and Community Development, Inc.  Mile High Kids currently administers the Federal Head Start grant for the City of Virginia Beach.

Recognizing his devotion to the youth of the community, Cardell was elected to the Portsmouth School Board in November of 2014 and currently serves as Board Chair. In 2015, Cardell was recognized by Inside Business Magazine as a Top 40 Under 40 award recipient and in 2018 he received the Benjamin Mays Lifetime Achievement award by the National School Board Association.

Cardell remains very active in the community. He started the Cardell Patillo Leadership Academy. It is a male mentoring program that has mentored well over 300 young men in the last 5 years. He was appointed to the Virginia Public School Authority by Gov. Terry McAuliffe and currently serves as Vice-Chair. Cardell was also selected as the Honorary Chairperson the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events. Cardell is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia.

(757) 962-8005

2712 Southern Blvd. Suite 201
VA Beach, VA 23452

info@milehigh-kids.org