She leads curatorial work and the ongoing redesign of the museum’s galleries, ensuring that exhibits reflect inclusive narratives and community-centered storytelling. 

As Curation Lead for the Middle Passage Port Marker Project, she oversees historical research, curation, and community engagement tied to the memorialization of African-descended peoples’ experiences in the Chesapeake region.

In addition to her physical exhibit work, Ja’Lyn also designs the museum’s virtual exhibitions, expanding access to audiences beyond the Eastern Shore. She brings expertise in both curatorial practice and graphic design, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Museum Studies and Digital Curation at Johns Hopkins University.

As a recent graduate of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, she earned B.A. degrees in Geography, Political Science, and Environment, Sustainability, and Policy. 

Sara is the Lead Writer and Editor-in-Chief of the Black Watershed publication, a publication that explores the cultural, environmental, and historical significance of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding communities. Her work focuses on the collection and documentation of oral histories, which are transformed into structured datasets and mapped to reveal the spatial dimensions of Black life along the Bay. 

Accordingly, she leads the museum’s Mapping project, analyzing historical records, oral narratives, and archival maps to build a comprehensive, data-informed picture of the region’s Black heritage. In addition to research and writing, she also trains staff in the use of ESRI software and other Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies, supporting broader institutional engagement with GIS as tools for educating, preserving, and telling the often overlooked stories of Maryland’s Black communities.

As Co-Director of The Water’s Edge Museum, Kiara Brummell brings her deep roots in Maryland’s Eastern Shore to her leadership and community-centered work. Additionally, she serves as the museum’s lead docent, guiding visitors through exhibits that center around Black history, culture, and storytelling.

Kiara leads the museum’s intangible cultural heritage initiatives, focusing specifically on the Middle Passage Port Marker project and the preservation of African-descended oral histories in the Chesapeake region. She is our primary liaison between The Water’s Edge Museum and Botanique Studios, serving as Botanique’s U.S. ambassador and fostering collaborative and cross-cultural exchange in the process. 

Drawing on her undergraduate studies in Interior Design at Anne Arundel Community College, Kiara weaves thoughtful spatial awareness and aesthetic sensibility to her artistic and public engagement work.

Assistant Director Kay L. Brown comes from Queen Anne’s County and has dedicated her career to preserving the cultural and artistic heritage of Black communities in Maryland’s Eastern Shore. As the team lead at The Water’s Edge Museum, she brings dynamic energy, creativity, and warmth to everything she does—fostering a work environment rooted in collaboration, joy, and cultural pride.

Kay is equally the Project Manager of the Middle Passage Port Marker project, ensuring that this important history is documented and shared with integrity and respect. 

However, with a steadfast commitment to historical accuracy and community engagement, most of her duties include overseeing daily operations at the museum. She also facilitates the museum’s HERO training programs, helping cultivate the next generation of leaders in heritage, education, and resilience. We are fortunate to have her leading spirit and unwavering commitment on The Water’s Edge team.

Neel Phillip Root is a copy editor and administrative assistant at The Water’s Edge Museum, supporting office and logistics operations. He also contributes editorial work for museum publications, including the Black Watershed publication.

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.

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 leads the Maryland Spirituals Initiative with trademark enthusiasm, vision, and deep cultural insight. A lifelong resident of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Potter brings not only his passion but also a deep knowledge of African American spiritual traditions rooted in the region’s history. Under his leadership, the Initiative has grown into a vibrant cultural effort that preserves and promotes the unique spirituals that reflect the struggles, resilience, and faith of generations past.

With a keen eye for talent and a mentor’s heart, Potter has discovered and guided dozens of singers, musicians, and storytellers. Many of these individuals had never performed publicly before joining the Initiative. He works closely with local churches, community centers, and schools to ensure the music is not only remembered but actively performed and shared with new audiences.

Potter often brings his choir to the Water's Edge Museum for powerful gospel concerts that highlight the enduring beauty and emotional depth of the spiritual tradition. These performances are a central part of his mission to keep the Eastern Shore’s musical legacy alive and accessible to all.

His work has been widely recognized for its authenticity and ability to bring people together across generations and backgrounds. Whether directing a choir on stage or preserving oral histories with local elders, Leroy Potter continues to serve as a passionate and tireless steward of the Eastern Shore’s rich spiritual heritage.

Lily Root is both the Curator of the Climate Change Garden and the Tech Assistant at The Water’s Edge Museum. 

A high school student with a strong interest in biology and history, Lily helps care for the museum's eco-friendly garden and leads visitor tours. She is also keen to pursue another core mission of The Water’s Edge Museum: Environmental Justice.

Lily works with advanced software to streamline museum operations. She supports a range of creative, administrative, and organizational tasks. Lily brings her graphic design and digital media skills to various projects, including the redesign of the Botanique Studios website, a Black-owned, woman-owned, Caribbean company that is preserving the intangible cultural heritage of its region.