Racial Equity Task Force
Task Force Information
Expand AllComprised 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
- February 3, 2021
Press Releases
Subgroup Information
Expand AllThe 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.
Date & Time | Location | Agenda | Minutes | Material | Video |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 18, 2020 - 9:00am | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
December 9, 2020 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
January 13, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
February 10, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
February 23, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
March 10, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
April 7, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
May 20, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
June 9, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Video |
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.
Date/Time | Location | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
---|---|---|---|---|
November 18, 2020 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
December 14, 2020 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
January 11, 2021 - 5:00pm* | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
January 21, 2021 - 5:00pm (continuation) | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
February 8, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
March 8, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
March 22, 2021 - 4:30pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
March 31, 2021 - 4:30pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
April 5, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
May 10, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
June 14, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Video | |
June 21, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Video |
*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.
Date/Time | Location | Agenda | Minutes | Material | Video |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 17, 2020 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
December 8, 2020 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
January 12, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
February 9, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | *HCAR Presentation *Zoning Presentation |
Video |
March 9, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | *APFO Presentation *Housing Presentation *Themes & Work Categories |
Video |
April 6, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
May 11, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
June 15, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | *Land Use & Housing Policy Draft Recommendations | Video |
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.
Date - Time | Location | Agenda | Minutes | Material | Video |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 23, 2020 - 6:30pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
December 14, 2020 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
January 11, 2021 - 4:00pm* | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
February 8, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | *Srivastava Bio | Video |
March 15, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
April 12, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
May 10, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
June 21, 2021 - 4:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Draft Recommendations | Video |
*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.
Date/Time | Location | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
---|---|---|---|---|
November 18, 2020 - 4:30pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
December 10, 2020 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
January 7, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
February 11, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
March 11, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
March 18, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
April 8, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
May 13, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video |
June 10, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | N/A* | Video |
June 17, 2021 - 5:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | - | Video |
*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.
Date/Time | Location | Agenda | Minutes | Material | Video |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 16, 2020 - 5:30pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
December 16, 2020 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | *2020 Vision for Health Report *Health Equity & Environmental Justice Terms |
Video |
January 27, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | *HC Maternal and Womens Health Presentation *2019 HC Community Health Indicators Report Card *Public Health and Environmental Policy Legislation |
Video |
February 17, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | *Environmental Sustainability Presentation | Video |
March 17, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
April 21, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
May 19, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Video | |
June 16, 2021 - 6:00pm | Virtual Meeting | Agenda | Minutes | Draft Recommendations | Video |