Black Leaders on Delmarva: Sheree Sample-Hughes

She is a homegrown success story – growing up right here in Salisbury.

Sheree Sample-Hughes has been a State delegate since 2015.

She says she planned to be a news broadcaster but always had a passion for politics.

“I’ve always had a love for government. I wanted to understand the intricacies of government. and watching the council meetings on television, when my friends were like, ‘What are you doing?'”, says Sample-Hughes.

Sample-Hughes graduated from Parkside high school in ’95 and then went for an undergrad degree at Delaware State University.

Ultimately, Sample Hughes got her Public Administration Masters at Wilmington University.

Before winning a delegate seat, Sample Hughes served as a member of the Wicomico County Council.

She is passionate about many things including veterans affairs, women, families and education.

“I serve as the president of the Women’s Caucus in the Maryland Legislature. And at this time we have the highest number of women serving. We have 72 women strong in the Maryland legislature.”, beams Sample-Hughes.

Its clear that she loves what she’s doing, but its also clear that she draws on the love and support of her family before making any major career moves.

“I’ve always made the decision to be in public service with my family at the forefront. I even asked my son, I think he was like eight years old at the time. Are you okay with Mommy running for the House of Delegates?”, says Delegate Sample-Hughes.

Sample-Hughes and her husband, Desmond, are the proud parents of two sons Jordan and Noah.

And they are just as proud of their mom.

“I’m just so happy that I have a mother that can care for me and be in the community serving well and be well-known as a great person and have a great name behind them.”, says 15 year old Noah.

Sample-Hughes won’t say if she plans to run for another seat when her term is over, but she does have another goal that might surprise most people.

“I do want to achieve my mortician’s license. that was an early on goal that I had when I was in high school. I want to be a mortician. I’ve been in the funeral home industry working ever since I was a teenager. And so after session, I would like to go ahead and work on that goal.”