Racial Equity Task Force

Comprised of over 60 experts, community leaders, students, and activists, the Racial Equity Task Force will identify and evaluate actions that the County Council can pursue to advance racial equity in Howard County. To accomplish this goal, Task Force members will be placed among six policy subgroups that will focus on racial equity in personal and public safety, land-use and housing policy, economic and workforce development, public health and environmental policy, education, and legislative processes.

The Task Force shall recommend legislative actions to the Howard County Council to remedy racial disparities and inequities in our community by:

• reviewing indicators of disparate outcomes, findings of applicable studies, best practices, and local data to ascertain pertinent information on issues related to racial equity and identifying metrics for measuring progress in improving racial equity;
• identifying new County policies and changes to County ordinances and policies that could improve racial equity;
• recommending legislation to the County Council that can be passed that will improve racial equity; and
• recommending actions that other Howard County entities, that receive County funds, can take that will improve racial equity outcomes.

Meeting Materials

• November 19, 2020
  • Welcome Packet
  • Open Meetings Act Guidelines
  • Public Information Act Guidelines
  • Presentation
• February 3, 2021
  • Engagement Timelines & Stakeholder Roles

Press Releases

• RETF Chairs Issue Joint Statement on 3/4/2021 Public Hearing

The Economic and Workforce Development subgroup is comprised of innovative leaders who possess professional expertise in economic equities. These valued leaders will review current policies and equal employment opportunities for residents through entrepreneurship. Concluding the subgroup analysis, the subgroup will offer legislative suggestions to the County Council for a formal introduction to be enacted.

The Education subgroup will evaluate current curriculum policies ensuring that all student's needs are met. Although the County Council is unable to provide legislative oversight to the Board of Education (BOE), this subgroup will suggest remedies to combat various educational challenges by Council Resolutions as a guide for the Board of Education.

*Due to WebEx's technical difficulties on this date, all meetings were ended abruptly.

The Land-Use and Housing Policy subgroup of the Racial Equity Task Force will evaluate matters of housing and land-use policy in Howard County as it pertains to advancing racial equity. This work will include reviewing pertinent housing data, evaluating exclusionary policies, and making recommendations to the County Council to address racial disparities in housing.

The Legislative Process subgroup of the Racial Equity Task Force will evaluate matters of the local legislative process, public engagement, and local legislation in Howard County as it pertains to advancing racial equity. This work will include reviewing pertinent data, evaluating best practices for inclusive government operations, and making recommendations to the County Council to address racial equity in the local legislative process.

*Do to WebEx's technical difficulties on this date, all meetings were ended apruptly.

The Personal and Public Safety subgroup is comprised of community leaders who possess professional expertise in personal and public safety. These esteemed leaders will review current practices and policies that veil systemic judicial injustices for the disenfranchised and most vulnerable members of our community. Concluding the subgroups analysis, the subgroup will offer legislative suggestions to the County Council for a formal introduction to be enacted.

*This meeting did not have a quorum, so minutes were not taken.

The Public Health and Environmental Policy subgroup of the Racial Equity Task Force will evaluate matters of public health, sustainability, and the environment in Howard County as it pertains to advancing racial equity. This work will include reviewing pertinent data, evaluating public health disparities, analyzing environmental racism, and making recommendations to the County Council to address racial disparities in public health and the environment.