About
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) was established in 1969. It is comprised of 11 members and a 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. This includes having the authority to conduct surveys and studies concerning civil liberties in order to promote equality in the community. In addition to hosting the annual HRC awards, they support OHRE outreach activities.
Our next meeting is hybrid and will take place on Thursday, July 21st at 7:00 P.M. in person at 9820 Patuxent Woods Dr., #211, Columbia, MD 21046 and virtually.
- Scott B. Markow, Chair - term expires: 3/1/2023
- Jonah Hornum, Vice Chair - term expires: 3/1/2024
- Bob Ford - term expires: 3/1/2023
- Gabriel Terrasa - term expires: 5/4/2025
- Peter Hwang - term expires: 3/21/2024
- Joan Hash - term expires: 6/1/2024
- Kui Zhao - term expires: 3/1/2025
- Lynda Earle - term expires: 3/1/2024
- Nina Basu - term expires: 4/4/2025
- Tiffany Releford - term expires: 9/8/2024
- Bianca Chang - term expires: 3/1/2025
- Sahara Ukaegbu (Student Member) - term expires: 6/30/2022
- Melissa Goldmeier, HRC Legal Counsel, Howard County Office of Law
- Yolanda F. Sonnier, Executive Secretary
- Kathy Morales, Recording Secretary
The Human Rights Commission meets every third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM, except in August. HRC meetings are open to the public.
For more information on our meetings, please send us an email at: hrc@howardcountymd.gov
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
| Thursday, July 21, 2022 |
| Thursday, September 15, 2022 |
| Thursday, October 20, 2022 |
| Thursday, November 17, 2022 |
| Thursday, December 15, 2022 |
December 17th
November 19, 2020
October 15th
September 17th
July 16th
June 18th
May 21st
April 16th
March 19th
February 21st
January 16th
December 20th
November 15th (Meeting Canceled)
October 25th
September 20th
July 19th
June 21st
May 15th
April 19th
March 15th
February 22nd
January 18th
2022 Human Rights Commission Awards
Do you know a Howard County resident or organization who works for human and civil rights? If so, nominate them for a Human Rights Commission Award. The nomination deadline is on Wednesday, August 31, 2022. Click here for nomination form.
Winners will be recognized at the 2022 Human Rights Commission Awards Ceremony on October 19th at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center.
For more information, please see press release.
