Our staff at The Water's Edge consists of individuals committed to advancing the deep African American roots of Eastern Shore history and culture. 

Our team comprises talented individuals, from descendants of Founding Black Families illustrated in the artwork on the walls of our museum, to Caribbean intangible cultural heritage activists and conservationists. Everyone at The Water’s Edge is fully committed to serving our community and advancing Black cultural heritage on the shore and beyond. 

We cannot wait to share our love for our work with you on your next visit! 

Meet Our Team

  • JA'LYN HICKS: Co-Director

    Ja’Lyn Hicks was born in Queen Annes County and serves as one of our Co-Directors, as well as our lead curatorial and graphic designer. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Museum Studies and Digital Curation at Johns Hopkins University.

  • SARA AMBER MARIE PARK: Co-Director

    Sara Amber Marie Park, a Talbot County native, serves as one of our Co-Directors while also heading the museum’s environmental and mapping initiatives. She is a recent graduate of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, earning B.A. degrees in Geography, Political Science, and Environment, Sustainability, and Policy.

  • KIARA BRUMMELL: Co-Director

    Kiara Brummell is a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore and works as both lead docent and Co-Director alongside Ja’Lyn and Sara. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree in Interior Design at Anne Arundel Community College.

  • KAY L. BROWN: Assistant Director

    Assistant Director Kay L. Brown was born in Queen Annes County and has dedicated her life to preserving the cultural and artistic heritage of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. We are fortune to have her on the Water’s Edge Team!

  • PHIL ROOT: Logistics

    Neel Phillip Root is a copy editor and administrative assistant at The Water’s Edge Museum, supporting office and logistics operations. He earned his degree in Social Anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, an institution known for its global and cultural focus. Fluent in English and French, Phil brings strong communication skills to his work, contributing to the development of museum policy, programming, and educational initiatives. As a teenager, he participated twice in the Johns Hopkins CTY program, an experience that helped shape his interest in culture and education from an early age..

  • JEFFREY MOANEY: Genealogical Advisor

    Jeffery Moaney is one of the founding members of The Water’s Edge Museum, serving as our primary genealogical advisor. As with other team members, he, too, is from a founding Black family. Jeffrey is a senior designer at Gensler and a key mentor to many young aspiring designers of African descent.

  • LEROY POTTER: Maryland Spirituals Initiative

    Leroy Potter leads the Maryland Spirituals Initiative with trademark enthusiasm and ability. With a keen eye for talent, he has brought dozens of people to the forefront proudly singing spirituals in a manner unique to the Eastern Shore.