Every year, the Howard County Human Rights Commission honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to human and civil rights in Howard County.
The awards recognize exemplary achievement in eliminating or eradicating discrimination while advancing human rights for all residents of Howard County. Nominations can be submitted for the following categories:
- Individuals who live and/or work in Howard County.
- Organizations whose advocacy and service are dedicated to Howard County.
- Students who live and/or attend school in Howard County, who are no more than 26 years old, and whose advocacy and service are dedicated to Howard County.
Awardees will be recognized on Monday, November 16th, 2026 at 6:30p.m. at Howard Community College.
The nomination deadline is October 1st, 2026 at 5p.m.
Submit a Nomination for the 2026 Human Rights Commission Awards
The nomination deadline is October 1st, 2026 at 5p.m.
Please complete the form below. Self-nominations are accepted.
For more information or to obtain a hard copy of the nomination form, please contact (410) 313-6430 or email hrc@howardcountymd.gov.
About the Commission
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) was established in 1969. It is comprised of 11 voting members and 1 non-voting student member, 18 years old or under. Commissioners must live in Howard County and represent the diversity of county residents.
The duties and responsibilities of the Commission are prescribed by law and include recommending a civil rights policy to the County Executive and the County Council, as well as having the authority to conduct surveys and studies concerning civil liberties in order to promote equality in the community. The HRC's duties also include engaging and educating the community, studying and investigating human rights issues, proposing and improving policies on human rights, and interpreting and enforcing the Howard County Human Rights Code. In addition to hosting the annual HRC awards, they support OHRE outreach activities.
A Public Guide to the Authority of the Human Rights Commission
Commission Information
The Human Rights Commission is comprised of 11 voting members and 1 non-voting student member.
| Name & Role (if applicable) | Term Expiration |
|---|---|
| Tiffany Releford, Chair | 10/7/2027 |
| Valerie Montague, Vice Chair | 7/29/2027 |
| Cristiana Little, Corresponding Secretary | 3/1/2027 |
| Nina Basu | 6/2/2028 |
| Reginald Avery | 3/3/2028 |
| Jeff Rubin | 3/3/2028 |
| Sabeen Sheikh | 12/1/2028 |
| Adult Community Representative (In process) | |
| Adult Community Representative (In process) | |
| Adult Community Representative (In process) | |
| Adult Community Representative (Vacant) | |
| Student Commissioner (In process) |
Current Vacancies (Updated July 1, 2026)
- Adult Community Representatives (1)
- Lakeisha McClendon (she/her), Office of Human Rights and Equity Administrator
- Todd Givens (he/him), Executive Secretary
- Liv Alanis Myers (they/elle), Case Manager
- Haley Moreau (she/her), Recording Secretary
- Marita Grant (she/her), HRC Legal Counsel, Howard County Office of Law
- Katharine Wade (she/her), Paralegal
The Howard County Human Rights Commission (the "Commission") has adopted amended Rules of Procedure (the "Rules") by unanimous vote during a virtual public hearing that took place on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 7:00pm.
To see the amended Rules, click the link below.
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00pm, except for the month of August. All HRC meetings are open to the public. Please see the Commission's meeting agendas for information on how to attend in person or virtually.
2026 Meeting Dates:
- Saturday, January 10, 2026 — Annual Planning Retreat
- Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Thursday, February 19, 2026
- Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Thursday, August 20, 2026
- Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Thursday, December 17, 2026
As part of its outreach efforts, the Human Rights Commission is interested in partnering with organizations and community groups to support events focused on bringing our citizens together for beneficial and/or enlightening purposes. We welcome opportunities to share information on services supported by the HRC and to assist and educate county residents. The level of support offered may vary based on the type of event and its focus.
If you are interested in partnering or seeking co-sponsorship with the Human Rights Commission, please provide the following information, and submit a request to HRC@howardcountymd.gov.
- Name
- Phone Number
- Event Name
- Event Date/Time
- Event Location
- Event Description
- Type of Participation Requested of HRC
Please share this information with your friends and other organizations you may participate with. We are here to serve the community and welcome any opportunities to become an event partner.
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
The Office of Human Rights and Equity strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation to access a public Commission meeting or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. Accommodations requested less than five business days before a meeting are not guaranteed, though every effort will be taken to provide said accommodation.
Please note, meeting minutes will be posted after they are finalized and approved by motion at the following regular Commission meeting.
January 10 (IN-PERSON)- Annual Retreat
January 15 (VIRTUAL)
February 19 (VIRTUAL)
February 26 (SPECIAL VIRTUAL MEETING)
March 19 (VIRTUAL)-CANCELLED
April 16 (IN-PERSON)
May 21 (VIRTUAL)
The Howard County Maryland Human Rights Commission (“HRC” or “Commission”) considered adoption of an amendment to the language in the first sentence of Section 2.B. “Quorum,” of its Rules of Procedure at its May 21, 2026, public meeting.
The proposed amendment in the first sentence of Section 2.B. of the HRC Rules of Procedure shall state that “A quorum consists of a simple majority of the current membership of the Commission.” The remaining language in Section 2.B. following that first sentence shall remain the same.
June 18 (VIRTUAL)
- Agenda
- Minutes
August 20 (IN-PERSON)
- Agenda
- Minutes
September 17 (VIRTUAL)
- Agenda
- Minutes
October 15 (IN-PERSON)
- Agenda
- Minutes
November 19 (VIRTUAL)
- Agenda
- Minutes
December 17 (IN-PERSON)
- Agenda
- Minutes
The Office of Human Rights and Equity strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation to access a public Commission meeting or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. Accommodations requested less than five business days before a meeting are not guaranteed, though every effort will be taken to provide said accommodation.
Please note, meeting minutes will be posted after they are finalized and approved by motion at the following regular Commission meeting.
January 4 (IN-PERSON)
January 16 (HYBRID)
February 20 (VIRTUAL)
March 20 (HYBRID)
April 17 (VIRTUAL)
May 15 (VIRTUAL)
June 26 (VIRTUAL)
July 17 (VIRTUAL)
SPECIAL MEETING-August 26 (VIRTUAL)
September 13, 2025 (OHRE Commission Strategic Planning Summit)
September 18 (VIRTUAL)
October 16 (IN-PERSON)
November 20 (VIRTUAL)
- Agenda
- Minutes
December 18 (IN-PERSON)
- Agenda
- Minutes
The Office of Human Rights and Equity strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation to access a Public Commission meeting or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. Accommodations requested less than five business days before a meeting are not guaranteed, though every effort will be taken to provide said accommodation.
December 19th
December 3rd - Special Meeting
- Agenda
- Minutes
November 21st
October 17th (Virtual Meeting)
September 19th (Virtual Meeting)
July 18th
June 20th
May 16th
April 18th
March 21st
February 15th
January 27th – Annual Planning Retreat
January 25th – Special Meeting
January 18th
December 20th – Date Change
December 13th – Public Hearing Re: the Adoption of Amended Rules of Procedure
November 16th
October 19th
September 21st
September 12th – OHRE Commission Gathering
July 20th
June 15th
May 18th
April 20th
March 16th
February 16th
January 19th
January 7th – Annual Planning Retreat
December 15th
November 17th
October 20th
September 15th
July 21st
June 16th
May 19th
April 21st
March 17th
February 17th
January 20th
January 8th
December 17th
November 19, 2020
October 15th
September 17th
July 16th
June 18th
May 21st
April 16th
March 19th
February 21st
January 16th
Hate Has No Place: Reporting Hate Crimes & Hate Bias Incidents
The Human Rights Commission hosted the first ever Hate Has No Place on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center - The Meeting House (additional forums have now been held in May 2024 and September 2025).
This event provided an opportunity for community members to ask questions about reporting hate crimes and HBIs, learn how these reports are investigated by law enforcement, and speak to law enforcement and other critical stakeholders who investigate, report, and litigate these incidents in Howard County, MD.
Through this collaboration, we hope to build trust between the community and law enforcement and to increase the reporting rate of hate crimes and HBIs in our county.
Watch a recap of the forum, as reported by Sue Kopen Katcef on Maryland Public Television, State Circle.
Co-sponsored by: The Office of Human Rights & Equity, Howard County State's Attorney's Office, Howard County Police Department, Howard County Sheriff's Office, Howard County Police Accountability Board, Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, Howard County NAACP, Howard County Muslim Council, and Jewish Federation of Howard County
2025 Human Rights Commission Awards
The 2025 Human Rights Commission Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday, October 23rd at Howard Community College. Thank you to everyone that attended this ceremony. The recipients of the 2025 Human Rights Commission Awards were:
- James E. Henson, Sr. & Jean W. Toomer Award: Mae A. Beale
- Colette Roberts Organization Award: The Indian Cultural Association of Howard County (ICA)
- Dr. Murray Simon Student Award: Mark Li
Please take a look at the 2025 HRC Award Ceremony's program book.
