Shomare Braxton is a devoted father and a lifelong resident of Baltimore, Maryland. His life’s mission is to help bring hope and opportunity to all of the communities and residents of Baltimore City. Shomare has worked toward achieving this goal through his 15-year tenure with the Department of Human Resources (DHR). During this time, he primarily worked with Baltimore City’s Department of Social Service Temporary Cash Assistance Work Program Unit helping some of the most vulnerable citizens of Baltimore City in obtaining self-sufficiency. While working at BCDSS his duties included assessing and assisting clients with the removal of barriers to employment, developing partnership with local business to provide work experience and employment opportunities and managing several different contracts with training providers.

Braxton’s life work not only demonstrates his unwavering commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty in Baltimore city, but also his investment to make an impact on a state and national level. The tenacity of his diligence and results driven performance can be seen in his role as the Workforce Development Coordinator/Youth Liaison within DHR’s Bureau of Workforce Development. Within the Bureau, he is responsible for workforce development programs oversight including supporting six Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS). Braxton supports the implementation and operation of Welfare to Work Programs (TANF, Non-Custodial Parent, and SNAP Employment & Training) which comprise an annual State budget over $22 million and serves thousands of participants each year. He has taken a hands on approach by providing technical assistance for the design, implementation, operation, and evaluation of local departments’ Welfare to Work Programs. Additionally, Braxton analyzes, evaluates, monitors and coordinates for local departments’ Family Investment Program monthly performance and annual plans to ensure compliance with Federal and State work participation requirements, appropriate allocations and expenditures, and specific program components and procedures that promote full engagement to move program participants to employment and economic self-sufficiency.

During his spare time, Shomare is an active member of the Striving to Empower People for Success Board. This is a statewide work experience initiative program for Temporary Cash Assistance customers whose mission is to inspire, nurture, and provide training in office development for future employment. He also participates in a multitude of educational and organized sports activities with his children.

Shomare graduated from Baltimore City Community College with an Associates of Arts degree in General Studies, and is currently in his final year as a Political Science Major at University of Maryland University College.