About

In May of 2019, City of Salisbury’s Mayor Jake Day and the Secretary of Kindness, Grace Foxwell Murdock, collaborated and created a Kindness Commission with community leaders, businesses, non-profits and community organizations.

We will highlight established kindness initiatives and stories of generosity and acts of paying it forward in our community.

We want to thank WMBGKIND of Williamsburg, VA for sharing their ideas and vision.

Our Commissioners are excited to continue to embed kindness in our community. The commission incorporates the following groups:

  • Business
  • Faith partners
  • Non-profits
  • Education
  • Government
  • Health
  • Individuals
  • Community organizations

Kindness Commissioners

Brandon Bell, is a mixed media artist and marketing professional. He is the Director of Marketing for a local cannabis dispensary, Peninsula Alternative Health, as well as co-owner of a local art organization, We are Limitless Studios. He and his partner, Deserea, are on a mission to spread the power of personal belief, optimism, and inspiration through multiple art channels including: mural art, graphic design, social media and music. They are proud parents of 3 amazing children.

Rick Briggs began his career with Wicomico County Public Schools in 1999. He has worked at Wi-Hi School, Bennett Middle School, Mardela Middle & High School and James M. Bennett High School. He is the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction – Chief Academic Officer for the Wicomico Board of Education, since July 1, 2017. Dr. Briggs lives in Salisbury with his wife, Kristen, and children Ella and Owen.

Karen Bromley is the Marketing Director/IT Coordinator for Avery Hall. She joined the agency in 2016 and works out of the Salisbury office. She coordinates all Avery Hall advertising and marketing and heads up the IT Department. Personally, Karen enjoys fundraising for local organizations and helping her children’s schools. She and her husband, Danny, have two sons together, Connor and Luke.

Heather Brooks is an Administrative Assistant for the Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Hub at Salisbury University, and the NEW kindSBY Kindness Commission leader and Secretary of Kindness for Salisbury, MD. Over the past 4 years, Heather has served as a kindness commissioner, designed and maintained the kindSBY website and served as the 2022-2023 Adopt-a-School Coordinator. and the Kindness Palooza Volunteer Coordinator. She has also been an Advisor for two Kindness Clubs in Wicomico County Public Schools. Heather enjoys scrapbooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

D’Shawn M. Doughty is the Relationship Manager for the Bank of America in Easton, MD. He is a member of the Salisbury P.R.I.D.E. Lions Club, a volunteer for the Building African American Minds Center in Easton, MD, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, a member/advisee of the Human Rights Advisory Committee for the City of Salisbury, and the 81st President for the Salisbury Jaycees. D’Shawn’s passion is to spread kindness throughout the community and teach everyone the importance of reciprocal outreach. D’Shawn believes in pouring himself back in the community that gave so much to him.

Gwenn Garland is a Writer/Photographer at Wor-Wic Community College and former Strategic Communications Coordinator for Peninsula Regional Medical Center. She lives in Salisbury with her family, including three active boys, a unicycling husband, a cat with a ‘tude and a quirky Pomeranian. She enjoys volunteering for hospital events and community health fairs, the March of Dimes, United Way, Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art and Chesapeake Housing Mission.

Jack Heath is the 28th Mayor of Salisbury, Maryland. Heath was appointed to City Council in 2014, and served as Council President from 2015 – 2023. Prior to his tenure on City Council, he worked more than 35 years in manufacturing across various positions. Heath served as President and CEO for Arkwright Inc., a $160 million manufacturing division of the multi-national Dutch Company, OCE. Upon his retirement, he became CEO of Lower Shore Enterprises in Salisbury, Maryland. “As Salisbury’s new Mayor, my utmost priority is our residents, my neighbors, those who call this City their home and love it just as I do. I do not take this role lightly—there is still work to be done, and I am honored to lead us in Salisbury’s next chapter.”

Martin Hutchison has been the Pastor of Community of Joy since 1999.  He is married and has two daughters.   In 2015, he founded the Camden Community Garden, where he grows more than veggies.  As the city of Salisbury’s Secretary of Community Gardens he has coached the start of 6 other community gardens in Salisbury and several others in surrounding communities.  He is currently working with Choices Academy on a hoop house/garden to be used as a hands on learning environment.  In addition, he mentors 4 boys at Pinehurst Elementary School. 

Heather Geraldes is employed in the nonprofit sector and lives in Wicomico County.  Caring for others is truly second nature for Heather.  She enjoys engaging work & community teams with a special focus – such as kindness! In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, growing lots of tropical plants and being in nature. 

Deserea Martin, a native of Texas now residing in Salisbury, MD, she is the co-owner of a local art organization, We are Limitless Studios. Her partner Brandon and she are on a mission to spread positivity, instill the power of belief, and encourage optimism throughout their community and afar. She is also a reiki practitioner and full-time mother of three magnificent children.

Valerie Morris is a director and independent consultant with Scentsy. During her 22 year career, she has helped numerous local organizations with fundraising. She also works as an administrative assistant in the dean’s office of SU’s Perdue School of Business. She participates as a team captain for Relay for Life-Wicomico County each year to benefit the American Cancer Society. Valerie practices positive thinking and is a firm believer in the Golden Rule principle of treating others as you want to be treated. She enjoys spending time with family, caring for her dogs, watching softball games, and traveling.

Grace Foxwell Murdock is a Retired educator, Author, Business owner, Dance for Kindness group leader 2016-2022, founder of Wicomico Grows Kindness, Kindness Commission leader 2019-2022 and the former Secretary of Kindness for Salisbury, MD. Grace’s passion for spreading kindness & efforts led the City of Salisbury to its World Kindness USA City designation as the nations 1st World Kindness USA city.

Megan Outten serves on the Salisbury City Council for District 3. Megan was appointed to the City Council in 2023 at the age of 30, making her the youngest female to hold office within the City of Salisbury. Outside of her official capacity, Megan serves as the stakeholder manager for the Business Network for Offshore Wind, a non-profit which aims to promote and expand workforce development opportunities for local businesses. She also serves on the Wicomico County Commission for Women and the Salisbury Sustainability Committee. Megan has long been passionate about spreading kindness in the Salisbury community, and believes that even little bit of kindness can go a long way.

Susan Parker is the Communications Specialist at MAC Inc., Area Agency on Aging. Prior to her position at MAC, she was the Engagement & Community Content Editor at the Daily Times for 28 1/2 years. In her downtime, she enjoys being a musician and writing.

Dominique Sessa is a disability advocate. She shares her advocacy & journey as a young disabled woman living on the Eastern Shore on her site, The Girl in The Pink Wheelchair. She is a Commissioner for the Maryland Commission on Disabilities & serves on Salisbury’s Disability Advisory Committee, Salisbury’s Parks & Recreation Committee, Salisbury’s Arts & Entertainment District Board & Water’s Edge Museum’s Advisory Committee. In January 2023, she was named 1st runner up Miss MD Wheelchair. She founded Delmarva Crafters: a charity crafting club that provides handmade items for those in need. She believes in spreading love and kindness to all.

Dr. Sharon Milbourne Washington is a native of Somerset County, Md, and holds a PhD in Christian Education, Master’s of Divinity and a dual Bachelor’s in Organizational Psychology and Development & Business Administration. She is a Chaplain at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, a Licensed/Ordained Elder, a Board Certified Life Coach and is the author of the reference book “Greek Philosophy in Christian Theology, An Intellectual Synthesis Shapes the West.” She was named one of the Top 100 Women in Maryland by the Daily Record. She is also proud to be a Veteran of the US Army. Sharon is an avid supporter of the “Dance for Kindness” initiative and is honored to serve the community with love and kindness for all people. 

Sonya Whited works at Perdue Farms Innovation Center as the Senior Director of Retail Research & Development.  Sonya was honored as one of The Daily Record’s Maryland Top 100 Women in 2018 due to her work at Perdue, as well as her community service including: co-chair of Wicomico County-City of Salisbury Complete Count Committee (CCC) for Census 2020, Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, United way, Community Foundation & Salisbury University Foundation. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, where she served as 2013 – 2017 president of the Princess Anne Alumnae Chapter & currently serves on the Eastern Region Leadership Team.

Stephanie Willey is a native of Salisbury and a Salisbury University Alum. She works as a sales manager for 47ABC TV in Salisbury. She is very involved in our community, serving as a member of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Board of Directors, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Council at Large, a Trustee for The Salisbury Award, and a founding member of The Women’s Fund at The Community Foundation. She is a member of Drug Free Wicomico and serves on the Wicomico Goes Purple Committee which is working to promote awareness on the issues of Substance Abuse and Addiction in our community. Stephanie loves music and performs locally with The Salisbury Chamber Singers and The Sanctuary Choir at Trinity United Methodist Church. Stephanie is also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church’s Administrative Board.

Website designed by: Heather Brooks




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