Caucus of African American Leaders

Lift every voice and sing, Till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising son of our new day begun, Let us march on ‘til victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet, Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, ‘Til now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way;

Thou Who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light,

Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.

Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.

Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand,

True to our God,

True to our native land.

Forward, Working Together”

Forward, Working Together”

“Moving Forward, Working Together”

Delegate J. Sandy Bartlett, Esq. Member, Maryland House of Delegates, District 32

Delegate Bartlett joined the General Assembly in 2019 and has since served on the House Judiciary Committee, quickly ascending to Vice Chair in 5 years. She's the House Chair for the Joint Committee of Legislative Ethics and sits on the Anne Arundel County’s Video Lottery Council and Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Funding and Policy Committee under the Maryland Attorney General. She played a pivotal role in laws regarding sexual assault response, child protection, and crime expungement.

Previously, she served 12 years on the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee and chaired several subcommittees. In addition to her legislative duties, Bartlett is a practicing attorney specializing in Intellectual Property. She holds a J.D. from the Catholic University of America and a B.A. in English from Howard University. She has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Anne Arundel Community College.

Family is central to her life, including her husband Scott, two daughters, two grandsons, and a pet Maltese, Maggie. She's been a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. since 1985 and is a Life Member of the NAACP.

“Moving Forward, Working Together”

Honorees

Honorable George Robert James, Jr.

Judge since 1994

Judge George R. Ames, Jr was born in Westover, Maryland, on September 23, 1941. He attended Somerset Junior-Senior High School, Princess Anne, Maryland; Chesapeake College, A.A. (humanities & social science), 1978; A.A. (law enforcement), 1982; Christian World College of Theology, A.A. (ministry), 2001; B.A. (ministry), 2003, M.A. (ministry), 2011. Newspaper carrier, 1973-2000. Dorchester County School Bus Contractor, 1979-2000 (president, 1988-2000). Pastor, Wesley Chapel Church, Cambridge, 2004-. President, Dorchester County Branch, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 1987-2004. Ames was also Commissioner of Dorchester County District Court, 1980-89. Member, Heritage Tourism Council, Dorchester County, 1998-99. Member, Governor's Task Force on Eastern Shore Economic Development, 19992001. Board of Library Trustees, Dorchester County,1994-.

He is a Lifetime member of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce (president, 2004; coordinator, Americans for competitive enterprise system). Board of Directors, Chesapeake College Foundation; Dorchester Center for the Arts; Eastern Shore Center for Independent Living; Salvation Army of Cambridge. Life member, Cpl. Herman Hughes Post no. 87, American Legion, Cambridge (judge advocate; past adjutant; past historian). Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Achievement Award, Tri-County Organizations Coalition, 1987, 2000. Award, Dorchester County School Bus Contractors, 2000. Award, Beta Epsilon Chapter, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., 2001. Honoring Hometown Hero, Dorchester County Award, Delmarva Shorebirds, 2006. Ambassador of the Year, 2006, and Associate of the Year, 2007, Dorchester Chamber of Commerce. Exceptional Leadership and Dedicated Services Award, Ministers and Citizens for Change, Inc., 2012. He was inducted into the Maryland Senior Hall of Fame in 2017.

Shay Lewis-Sisco

Shay Lewis-Sisco, known as ShaySpeaks, was born, and raised in Cambridge, Maryland. Shay always serves in some capacity—currently the Community Impact & Engagement Manager for Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center. She previously worked in Workforce Development for the Maryland Department of Labor. Active in serving and engaging the community through volunteerism as the Host of Candid Crucial Community Conversations, an executive board member for the non-profit organization For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc (CWDI), where the City of Cambridge appointed her. Shay also served in the Dorchester County Public Schools as a former Character Counts Coach, Sandy Hill Parent Advisory Council, and a member of DCPS District Parent Engagement for Title I School. In addition, she has served at Chesapeake College as a Student Life Liaison to promote student retention and success and as a Multicultural Advisory Committee member. She was a featured speaker for DCPS Community Forum, on the Kirwan Commission in 2019, the Moving Dorchester Forward Community Forum with the State Superintendent, and Omeakia Jackson's Youth Expo. Shay finds great joy in serving the community and ministry at Living By Truth Ministries as a minister. Shay is married to Harold "Junbugg" Sisco Jr and has four beautiful children Jairyn, Jakayla, Harlem, and Harmonie. Shay is committed to building and strengthening communities through engagement, education, and empowerment by connecting them with resources, programs, and the services needed to thrive holistically.

Honorees

Edward S. Lee

Edward S. Lee was born in Philadelphia PA in 1935. He dropped out of school, entered the United States Air Force, and was honorably discharged in 1956. While serving overseas, Lee won the All Far East lightweight boxing championship and returned to the United States to represent his command in the 1956 Olympics finals before he separated.

He entered Temple University High School and received his diploma. After being accepted at Cheyney University, he graduated in 1968 with honors, a B.A., and a minor in Psychology. Lee would go on to become an adjunct professor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Cheyney University.

During his tenure at Cheyney, he was active in student government, as well as politics in the City of Philadelphia and the State. He organized twenty-five busloads of Cheyney students to travel to Philadelphia, on election day, to elect Milton Shapp, the first Jewish Governor of Pennsylvania.

Lee was elected the Executive Director of Philadelphia’s Black Political Forum, which laid the foundation for the election of W. Wilson Good’s, 1983 Mayoral election. He was elected Leader of Philadelphia’s 59th Democratic Ward in 1968. In 1972 the Democratic Party endorsed Lee for the office of Clerk of Quarter Session Court of Philadelphia. He left a distinguished career of innovations, accomplishments, and service.

Leaving office, he moved to Maryland in 1978, where he created Spencer-Lee Farms, was elected: President Worcester County Branch NAACP, 3rd Vice President Maryland State Conference NAACP, and Chairman Worcester County Democratic Central Committee. Lee is divorced with three college graduated sons (one is deceased). He is currently a Real Estate agent with ERA Martin Associates in Salisbury. Lee’s undertakings and accomplishments for equity, justice and equality are well known and established.

Roberta Butler

The fourth of six children, Roberta Butler was born February 22, 1954. She lived in Federalsburg all of her life. She graduated from Colonel Richardson High School in 1973. In 1976, she started working for the USDA Department of Agriculture. She retired seven years ago. After retirement, she worked for Caroline County Public School System (FES) for three years. In the years of 2011 & 2017 she ran for office to be a part of Federalsburg MD council board, she didn't win either years. That did not stop her from pitching in for her community. From attending town meetings to picking up around the community and giving back any chance she gets, she is a great community leader. She’s now a member of the NAACP and United Women of Faith (Zion United Methodist). She’s known all over, very familiar for being on the news standing up for what she believes in. Roberta has two children, four grandchildren & two great grandchildren who are all so proud of her accomplishments.

Forward, Working Together”

Honorees

Dr. Sharon Pepukayi

Dr. Sharon Pepukayi currently serves as the Superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools. An educator for 30 years, Dr. Pepukayi has served in the roles of teacher, coach, mentor, student advisor, assistant principal, principal, and assistant superintendent.

Since leaving school building administration in 2011 to pursue district-level decision-making, Dr. Pepukayi has developed other leaders, assisted in opening preschool and elementary schools, expanded preschool programming and bilingual instruction, and promoted equity and diversity initiatives. She has shared her experiences and knowledge with others by presenting at national conferences, serving on advisory committees, and being a guest speaker at many events.

Originally from Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Dr. Pepukayi graduated from St. Michaels High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Bennett College (NC), Master of Arts in Early and Middle Childhood Education from The Ohio State University, and Doctor of Education in Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University (DE).

Living by Dr. Maya Angelou’s words, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” Sharon always makes ‘connection before content’ a priority, and keeps the best interests of students at the center of all decision making. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two adult sons, BJ and Bryce, as well as traveling with her friends.

Shanie Shields

Shanie is a native of Salisbury. Her community service began in 1982, under the tutelage of the late James Leonard. During that time, she volunteered with the Lower Eastern Shore Hunger, that was funded by Delmarva Rural Ministries. Delmarva Rural Ministries was an organization that advocated feeding the hungry and affordable and better housing conditions.

Shanie has been a board member of Habitat for Humanity, original board member of Salisbury Neighborhood Housing, and the Wicomico County Local Management Board. She presently is the president of Chipman Foundation and life member of the Wicomico VFW Memorial Post #10159 Auxiliary.

Shanie's was elected to the Salisbury City Council in 2005. She was elected three times, serving 10 1/2 years on the council. Shanie reentered the political arena by being elected to the Wicomico County Council in 2022.

Her motto is “treat people the way you want to be treated”.

Honorees

James G. Yamakawa

James Gayl Yamakawa of Fruitland grew up in Harford County. His mother, Christine, was of German ancestry and a police officer. His father, Harushige, a doctor, was born in Hasama, Japan. Mr. Yamakawa holds a bachelor’s in dramatic arts from St. Mary’s College and is a homemaker for his kids, Sarah, Jonathan, and Rebecca, and wife, Lisa, a pediatrician. A member of Faith Lutheran Church, Salisbury, he serves on council and as social ministry team leader, and was president and treasurer. He is a second-degree instructor for the World Taiji Boxing Association, teaching for Park’s Martial Arts and Go Getters Inc. He sits on the Wicomico County NAACP Executive Committee, and is board secretary for Eastern Shore Juneteenth, Inc. He served on the Fenix Youth Project board and at The Joseph House.

In 2016, Mr. Yamakawa helped form a local chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), organizing protests against police brutality and sharing local history. He and others held a vigil for Matthew Williams, a Black man lynched in Salisbury in 1931. He was soon asked to lead efforts to remove a memorial to Confederate general John Henry Winder from the Wicomico County Courthouse lawn, near where Mr. Williams was lynched. While unsuccessful, the sign was quietly removed in 2020 by then-County Executive Bob Culver.

Mr. Yamakawa closed the SURJ chapter in 2019 and founded the Wicomico Truth and Reconciliation Initiative (WTRI) to address the county’s white supremacy history. Partnering with Salisbury and the Equal Justice Initiative, the community erected the first Eastern Shore memorial to racial terror lynching victims. He and WTRI helped expose white supremacy connections of local candidates for office. With Dr. Charles Chavis Jr., he named officials culpable in Mr. Williams’ lynching, drawing connections to the destruction of Georgetown, the thriving Black Salisbury neighborhood once at the center of Salisbury. His work continues today.

J.M. Queen

J.M. Queen (John Queen), 45 years of age born and raised in Washington D.C., metropolitan area. J.M. Queen, a 13-year resident of the Eastern Shore, entrepreneur and community leader. J.M. Queen is the President and Co-founder of Bayside H.O.Y.A.S., Inc., H.O.Y.A.S. being an acronym for Helping Our Youth Achieve Success, and the non-profit focuses on education and inspiring at-risk youth in Kent and Northern Queen Anne’s Counties. THe Bayside H.O.Y.A.S.’s mission is to promote academic excellence, positive character development, and civic responsibility among secondary school age youth and young adults. J.M. Queen spent years dedicated to improving the lives of people in his community through programs, outreach, and initiatives. Most importantly, J.M. Queen worked hard to listen to what our local communities of color need, and to support them through programs that improve their lives in meaningful and concrete ways.

Honorees

Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes

Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes represents District 37A, which is comprised of both Wicomico and Dorchester counties. She is the second African American and first woman to hold the seat. She serves as the Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates and is the first African American woman from the Eastern Shore to hold the position. She served as an elector for the 2020 Presidential Election. Delegate Sample-Hughes is a member of many committees in her legislature and serves on the Economic Matters Committee as the Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Subcommittee and House Chair of the Joint Committee on Workers’ Compensation Benefit & Insurance Oversight. She also serves as the House Chair for the Special Joint Legislative Committee to Select the State Treasurer and is a member of the Women’s and Veterans Caucuses. Nationally, Delegate Sample-Hughes is the Co-Vice Chair of Women in Government and an At-Large member of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Delegate Sample-Hughes has received several awards including the Rural Maryland Council’s Rural Champion Award, the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women in Maryland and most recently the Distinguished Friend of Electric Cooperatives Award. A graduate of Delaware State University and Wilmington University, Delegate Sample-Hughes holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations, a Master of Science Degree in Management with a concentration in Public Administration and a certification from University of Maryland College Park’s Academy of Excellence for Public Policy. She is currently enrolled in the Mortuary Science program at the Community College of Baltimore County.

Delegate Sample-Hughes is married to Desmond and has two sons, Jordan, and Noah. She has dedicated her life in service to her family, community, and the State of Maryland. She truly lives what she speaks and means it when she says:

“Yours In Service”

Rev Charles David Bagley Jr.- Pastor

Who is he; Born Charles David Collins, then given to, and adopted by Charles & Carrie Bagley, raised up in the Reservoir Hill section of Baltimore City, in the early 50’s at the tail end of Jim Crow, I attended the Baltimore City Public school system, and I lived through the Riots of 1968, after the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King. Right after graduating HS in 1972, I was drafted into the US Military, 3 years prior to the end of the Vietnam War. Upon return home in 1974, Being discharged under Honorable conditions, and suffering with PTSD. I landed a Job at Baltimore City Jail, in 1975. In 1982 God called me to Gospel ministry, I was Licensed and served until my Ordination in 1992 and set apart for Pastoral Ministry. Yet after 30 years of both Baltimore City and MD State Service, I retired in 2005, In 2007, my now wife, Annette Bagley, and I moved to Westover in Somerset County, MD. Where we began to earn our standing in this community, and to make what we believe to be, a faithful contribution. I take no credit for all that God has done through my life. For my life belongs to him. I can’t begin to list all the victories for justice, Won for the kingdom of God and for the people and community of Somerset County.

My favorite Quotes: If you see a good fight, Get in it-. Dr Vernon Johns ns, then given to, and adopted by Charles & Carrie Bagley, raised up in the ity, in the early 50’s at the tail end of Jim Crow, I attended the Baltimore City ugh the Riots of 1968, after the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King. was drafted into the US Military, 3 years prior to the end of the Vietnam War. charged under Honorable conditions, and suffering with PTSD. I landed a Job at God called me to Gospel ministry, I was Licensed and served until my Ordination nistry. Yet after 30 years of both Baltimore City and MD State Service, I retired in Bagley, and I moved to Westover in Somerset County, MD. Where we began to and to make what we believe to be, a faithful contribution I take no credit for all or my life belongs to him I can’t begin to list all the victories for justice, Won for

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Real Deal Christian Ministries

Honorees Betty J. Johnson

Betty J. Johnson, a dedicated advocate and community leader, has spent her life empowering youth, women, and marginalized communities facing health, economic, and racial disparities. Raised on a 43-acre farm in Rhodesdale, Maryland, Betty’s aspirsations extended far beyond her rural upbringing. With a bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowie State University and a master’s degree from John Hopkins University, she embarked on a remarkable career in the human services field with Maryland State public agencies in Dorchester, Baltimore, and Cecil Counties finally settling in Elkton, Maryland in 1977. Betty’s unwavering commitment to community and volunteer work has made her a respected figure with over fifty-four years of service to State of Maryland, currently holding a position with the Maryland State Department of Education’s Office of Child Care. Throughout her career journey, Betty actively collaborated with numerous organizations and served on several boards and commissions in Cecil and Harford Counties, leaving a significant impact on the quality of life for citizens. Her dedication is demonstrated through her involvement with the Elkton Housing Authority Board, Cecil County Health Department’s Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Advisory Board, and Cecil County Peer Educators Program. Betty’s community leadership positions, such as Secretary and Member of the Cecil County Senior Services Foundation; Active Member and former Treasurer of the Association for the Prevention of Sickle Cell Anemia of Harford and Cecil Counties; Vice President of Black Youth In Action Adult of Harford and Cecil Counties; Active Life Member, Secretary, and Health Committee Chair of the Cecil County Branch NAACP, and Secretary for the Maryland State Conference of the NAACP. She served as a Board Director and Secretary of the West Cecil Health Center in Conowingo, Maryland from 2013 to 2019. She has consistently championed initiatives focused on empowering women and young people, such as establishing and leading a Girl Scout Troop for young black girls and organizing the Peer Educators for HIV/AIDS Awareness youth group. Betty’s exceptional contributions have garnered numerous service awards, including the national NAACP’s Dr. W. Montague Cobb Health Advocacy Award. Her tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, have made her a beacon of hope, exemplifying the transformative power of community service. With a lasting impact on the lives of many in the State of Maryland. Betty’s dedication to empowering others continues to inspire and uplift communities, bridging the gaps of health, economics, and racial disparities.

Clayton “Clay” Washington

I have been married to my wife, Andrea for 54 years. We have 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren.

I spent 22 years working in the consumer electronics retail sales industry. I held positions in operations, purchasing, marketing, administration, sales, and ownership. As VP and buyer, I was instrumental in the growth of an electronics retail chain during the 70’s and 80’s. We went from a local 2 store operation to a 22 store, 4 state, operation with sales in excess of $50,000,000. In the early 80’s I purchased, with a partner, 7 retail stores in PA and MD which we operated for 4 years. I spent the next 5 years as a top sales executive with Macy’s until they dropped consumer electronics. I spent 1995 – 2000 in residential “Addictions Ministry” at the Frederick Rescue Mission in Frederick, MD. I served as food services director, mentor and counselor until I was forced to retire due to health reasons.

Since retiring, I have worked as a part time transportation service driver for 5 years, worked part time as a funeral attendant for a year and a half, and volunteered to serve on various boards of several nonprofit organizations. I am presently serving as president of the Kennard Alumni Association which oversaw the $2 million “Kennard High School” restoration project to create the “Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center and Museum”. I also served as a board member for Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc., which manages “The Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area”, a four-county heritage preservation organization until 2019. In 2013, I returned to work as a school bus driver in Queen Anne’s County until 2018.

I have served as Spiritual Director of a retreat ministry for men suffering from alcoholism and addiction over the past 28 years and I lead a weekly men’s group at a Baltimore’s “Helping Up Mission”.

Forward, Working Together”

Forward, Working Together”

“Moving Forward, Working Together”

“Moving Forward, Working Together”

Forward, Working Together”

“Moving Forward, Working Together”

Accomack County, Virginia

Dorchester County, Maryland

Somerset County, Maryland

Sussex County, Delaware

Worcester County, Maryland

Wicomico County, Maryland

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“Moving Forward, Working Together”

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