Maryland Delegate Greg Wims (D-39) traces his Montgomery County roots back seven generations and is the first descendant of enslaved Montgomery Countians elected to the House of Delegates.
Clarksburg High School, near where many of his relatives grew up, sits on Wims Road. Wilson Wims Elementary School is named for one of those relatives.
An activist all his life, Wims worked in the prison ministry at the county jail when he was only 17, and as he explained to MCM during Black History Month, he still strives to help young people get their lives back on track.
“I’d say, by the grace of God, I have 56 years of continuous volunteer service.” He counts 40 non-profit organizations and religious institutions as organizations where he has played an active role.
He’s been a Head Start teacher and is founder of the Victims’ Rights Foundation, which for the past 28 years has raised more than $1.5 million for victims of violent crimes.
Despite President Donald Trump’s talk of ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and other programs, Wims remains optimistic. However, he said, “I think we are going to have to come together again – all of us – in our community to make sure we don’t lose what we gained.”
He added, “I think we will overcome this, but we’ll have to fight.”
He took his seat in Annapolis in May of 2023. He also has been president of both the Montgomery County and Maryland State branch of NAACP.
According to The Menare Foundation, Inc., Maryland has had several African American leaders, but none of them grew up in Montgomery County and have family ties to slaves.
“Following in the tradition of your great-grandfather Richard Stewart—one of several founders of the post emancipation community of Stewart Town—your life and career has exemplified a legacy of “firsts” that have greatly benefitted Montgomery County,’ The Menare Foundation said during its recognition of Wims.
Stewart Town, where Wims still resides, is located by Montgomery Village. His great-great grandfather worked as a freed man and purchased 10 acres there.
