The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission was established by order of the Howard County Executive to “…encourage and coordinate appropriate ceremonies and activities honoring Martin Luther King, Jr...” The Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at which time, plans for the annual commemoration of Dr. King's birthday are made. Persons interested in serving on the Commission should contact the Office of Human Rights at (410) 313-6430.

The Human Rights Commission was established in 1969, and is composed of 11 members and a non-voting member, who is a student under 18 years old.