About the Founder sharonda johnson-wilkes
Brief BIO
Sharonda Johnson-Wilkes is the mother of two (2) adult sons, grandmother of four (4) grands, married for over 22 years, daughter, aunt, and friend to many.
She served as the Vice-chairwoman for the Charles County Nuisance Abatement Hearing Board for 4 years, from June 2020 to June 2024, and new member of the Southern Maryland Coalition of 100 Black Women (induction Saturday, September 28, 2024).
She is a Legal Instruments Examiner - for the US Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, and began her federal employment in 2011, after completing a 1-year internship program- for legacy Financial Management Services (FMS), in the Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity office (EEOD). She was the Chair for FMS Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) 3 consecutive years and the liaison between DAC and EEOD. In addition, Sharonda was the Co-Chair for FMS Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council for 1-year, and has been advocating for people with disabilities throughout the state of Maryland, and its surrounding areas; was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2011 October 30, 2010 and named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by the Maryland Daily Records in 2013.
Over the past years, Sharonda has received awards and recognition – from state and local officials, such as PG County Executive Rushern Baker, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Gloria Lawlah, just to name a few.
Sharonda is pursuing a BS in Psychology and minor in Business Administration at University of Maryland Global Campus and will graduate Spring 2026. Her educational goal is to earn her doctrine in Psychology.
“Instead of focusing on the things I cannot change, I focus on things I can change, so I can make a difference in my life and the life of other people with disabilities,” said Sharonda.
Shared Housing Project
In 2006, Sharonda learned that people with disabilities were residing in nursing homes, and in the process of being put out on the streets due to insurance issues, and she started the nonprofit organization Opening Doors II, secured rental properties, and took the necessary steps to have the homes modified and approved for her "Shared Housing" project. Within 6 months Sharonda was able to house over 15 people in the four (4) homes established through her hard work, dedication, and funds she raised through fundraising events she coordinated and hosted, donations received from sponsors and other financial supporters, and her and her husbands personal income.
In 2008/2009, when the recession hit, family members began transitioning the individuals to their homes, so they could use their income for their own personal gain. Eventually she had to make an Executive decision to close their doors and return to college.
Today, the number of people with disabilities residing in nursing homes because they do not have accessible and/or affordable housing has increased. Motivated to make a difference and knowing people should be able to live their lives in the community, Sharonda started the SJ Wilkes Foundation, applied for a 501 c 3 tax exemption and the application was approved May 30, 2024.
"I have been providing people with disabilities with resource and services for over 25 years. It gives me joy and makes my heart and soul smile. As a young child I watched my mother as she would cook and sale dinners to raise money, so she could help people less fortunate in the community, and she'd sponsor bus trips and made sure everyone interested could take part in the trips. No matter what their income was, she assured the trips were affordable for all. My mom even became a foster mother to one of our neighbors, after his mom passed when he was 12 years old. My foster brother is intellectually challenged and aged out of the program, but at 59 years old, he still resides with my mother. She was the Vice-president and President for the Deanwood Civic Association and named Mayor of Deanwood by neighbors because of the work she did throughout the community. That's who my passion and community advocacy comes from; my Shero and Mayor of Deanwood, my mother Mrs. Yvonne Johnson," Sharonda said.