KarenTongue, Community Contributor

Karen Tongue is a native Marylander with two adult children, Michael III and Sharnae; and one grandson, Michael IV. She and her family have lived between Anne Arundel and Prince George's County all their lives. She graduated from Crossland High School in Temple Hills, MD Class of 83'. Karen was very active in her school years as part of the girls softball team, Student Government Association, and Class Secretary in her senior year at Crossland High School. Her college years includes Trinity College in Washington, DC, South University in Columbia, South Carolina and Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona online.

Karen's love for her community moved her to sign up to work the election polls for primary and general elections in Annapolis. She also supported Delegate and Bishop, C. Anthony Muse (First Lady Pat Lawson-Muse) in his campaign run for the Senate. Karen later coached by Mrs. Annie Foster, to join the leadership of the Annapolis Chapter of NAACP to work with the youth program during her daughter's senior year just prior to her 2008 graduation. It was also very important for Karen to attend school trips as a chaperone throughout the secondary school years for both son and daughter. Visiting schools in Anne Arundel and Prince George's County's on Career Day was a delight in her eyes being invited by friends and teachers to participate. Karen's working career includes the Internal Revenue Service while in high school, the US Information Agency; National Stone Sand & Gravel Association, Anne Arundel Medical Center and Bankers Life & Casualty Company. She was also the secretary for the Board of Directors for the EFFORTS Program which was a non-profit organization to help ex-offenders prepare to return to society successfully. The program that was started by a relative, Rachel Morrison and her husband is no longer in operation.

Karen is now an ordained Evangelist and Assistant Pastor at Faith Community Church, Bishop James C. Wallace Sr. (First Lady LuRay Wallace), in Harwood, MD; Her years of ministry included serving under Bishop William Joseph Wallace (First Lady Dorine Wallace), House of Prayer, Harwood, MD; Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, Pastor Freddie Davis (First Lady Margaret Davis), Washington, DC; Harvest Chapel, Pastor Glen Robinson (First Lady Debbie Robinson), in Lothian, MD, and Hope Christian Church, Apostle Harry Jackson, Beltsville, MD. She is also an ordained Minister and Wedding Officiant with American Marriage Ministries, Seattle Washington.

Karen has a passion for reading self-help books and other Christian books which includes the Bible as her main reading source. She learned to write about the adventures of her childhood and while in college as it was mandatory. Karen has written one unpublished book that she continues to perfect and preparing to write another. She has also prepared hundreds of sermons for Sunday mornings with Faith Community Church; and other events and services throughout Maryland and Washington, DC.