'Living' Black History

Gregory Meekins: Leadership over decades

Years of service in many fields

Dion Banks and Kisha Pitticolas
Posted 2/25/21

CAMBRIDGE — What can I say about this man, Greg Meekins? He’s like a father, a big brother, and mentor to me and so many others:Gregory Meekins is a native of Cambridge. He is the third …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in
'Living' Black History

Gregory Meekins: Leadership over decades

Years of service in many fields

Posted

CAMBRIDGE — What can I say about this man, Greg Meekins? He’s like a father, a big brother, and mentor to me and so many others:
Gregory Meekins is a native of Cambridge. He is the third oldest of six born to Alene Meekins Ayers and the late Clarence Elmer Meekins. His early childhood education began at Pine Street Elementary School.
After three years at Pine Street Elementary, he attended St. Clair Elementary School and then matriculated at Mace’s Lane High School, where he graduated in 1967 as valedictorian of his class. During his early years, he also attended Waugh Chapel Church, receiving a tremendous amount of support and nurturing that helped guide his social and religious development.

After graduation from high school, Gregory attended Morgan State College and graduated in 1971 with Honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He later received his Masters of Arts in School Counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and his School Administrative Certification and Licensure through Salisbury University. He remained in Baltimore for twelve years and began his professional career with the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service in Baltimore City working as an urban 4-H & Youth Agent from 1971-1979.

Gregory returned to his native Cambridge in 1979 to assume a position as a Health Planner with the Health Planning Council of the Eastern Shore (HPCES). After eight years with the HPCES he accepted a position with the Dorchester County Board of Schools (DCPS) in 1987 as a Pupil Personnel Specialist.
He worked with DCPS moving through the ranks as Assistant Principal and Principal of North Dorchester High School from 1992 -2004, Supervisor of Student Services from 2004-2009 and Administrator of DCPS’s New Directions Learning Academy from 2009-2014. He retired from DCPS after 27 years of service in 2014. During the time of his employment with DCPS Gregory received his Masters of Arts in School Counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and his Administrative Certification and Licensure.

Since his return to Cambridge in 1979 Gregory has always served and continues to serve his community in numerous ways. That service includes his church affiliation at Waugh Chapel United Methodist Church where he is actively involved in a number of church ministries. He has served and serves on various boards and commissions including the City’s Ethics Commission, Sailwinds Park, Inc., and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation among others.

He is a past president of the Dorchester County Branch of the NAACP and is currently serving as Second Vice President. Significant during his tenure as NAACP president was his leadership in helping to fully integrate the Cambridge Rescue Fire Company with women and minorities. Most notable also was his role in helping to change the voting rights law that led to the end of at large voting to single member district voting which changed the Maryland State Constitution. That action helped open the door for the election of the first black County Commissioner in Dorchester County and subsequently other minorities in City and County government.
Gregory also served as Executive President of the Maryland State Conference of Branches. In that role he was a co-producer and Host of the NAACP public affairs program Insight on WMDT TV in Salisbury for seven years that focused on topics and issues relevant to the black community.

Currently Gregory is a member of Dorchester Elks Lodge #223 where he serves as Exalted Ruler. He has held elected office in a number of offices in the Lodge which has served and continues to serve Cambridge and the Dorchester County community in many capacities.
He is a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He lives by the quote of C. Hoppe, “I hope my achievements in life shall be these – that I have fought for what was right and fair, that I have risked for that which mattered, that I will have given help to those who were in need…that I will have left the earth a better place for what I’ve done and who I’ve been.”
Thanks for all you’ve done for the Eastern Shore Network for Change and the community!

Mr. Banks and Ms. Petticolas founded the Eastern Shore Network for Change in 2012, to be a resource for existing community based programs, local government, social service institutions, public schools, higher learning institutions, the department of corrections and local courts. The organization works to raise awareness of issues in Dorchester County and creatively work with the community to inform, educate, and foster change that leads to social and economic empowerment.

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X