Shelby County has a new leader for its Division of Community Services, Sandy Bromley, who is stepping up from her role as the Deputy Director. The Board of Commissioners gave the nod to Mayor Lee Harris' pick on Monday, as per the county's official announcement.
Bromley, in her spell as Deputy Director, has been at the forefront of violence prevention and public safety strategies within the division, her new position finds Sandy Bromley succeeding Dorcas Young Griffin, Young Griffin, who was recently appointed as the Shelby County Government Co-Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. Mayor Harris expressed his confidence in Bromley, saying, "The Division of Community Services is a nationally recognized department that has helped thousands of residents get connected to resources to strengthen the well-being of Shelby County. Sandy Bromley’s understanding of the root causes of the challenges facing our community, compassion for the most vulnerable, and institutional knowledge of the comprehensive services the division provides make her best suited to lead this phenomenal team," according to the county's press release.
Tasked with the important hiring of a Community Safety and Violence Prevention Administrator, Bromley is poised to continue her transformative work at the county level. Her new role involves coordinating with the Shelby County Health Department and the City of Memphis to devise a county-wide community violence intervention strategy. Before her time with the Shelby County Government, Bromley honed her expertise as a senior trainer for Green Dot and as a Domestic Violence Policy, Prevention, and Systems Coordinator in Fairfax County, Virginia. Her legal acumen is backed by a J.D. from New England Law.
Replacing Dorcas Young Griffin, a veteran herself in service to the community, Bromley leaves behind a legacy of innovation at the Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center, which she led since 2017, during her tenure she relocated the center to the Medical District and responded proactively to incidents of mass trauma, including the Kroger mass shooting in 2021. Griffin praised Bromley's impact, stating, "Sandy has left a positive impact on communities and groups across the country, so when she took on the role of leading the Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center, I knew our residents were getting someone who truly cares about this work. Sandy has implemented programs to help residents in crisis and support them as they find hope in the future. I’m ecstatic to see her take the Division of Community Services into its next era," the statement in the county's press release read.
In her own words, Bromley expresses a commitment to the ideals of resilience and hope, "I’m a firm believer in the power of resiliency after trauma and in the power of hope in creating communities free from violence and oppression. It’s been an honor to be a part of the Division of Community Services, and I am grateful for Mayor Harris’ and the Board of Commissioners’ trust in me. I look forward to continuing to provide residents with hope and support," she conveyed in the county's statement.
