FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Councilmembers Jones and Rigby Announce Completion of the Racial Equity Task Force Report
Ellicott City, MD (August 5, 2021) – On Monday, August 2nd, the Howard County Council’s Racial Equity Task Force delivered its Final Report to the Howard County Council. Over the last ten months, the Racial Equity Task Force has worked diligently to assess and analyze racial equity in Howard County and has compiled its findings and recommendations into a final report for the County Council.
The Task Force was authorized by the passage of Council Resolution 142-2020 and was assembled in October 2020. The Task Force was composed of a wide array of over 60 community members, leaders, activists, and students with a common goal to investigate and recommend opportunities to improve racial equity in Howard County.
To complete this work, the Task Force was divided into six subgroups, each with a specific policy focus area: economic and workforce development, education, land-use and housing, legislative processes, personal and public safety, and public health and environmental policy. Over the course of its work, the Racial Equity Task Force held over 50 public meetings, including two public hearings.
With the goal of reducing racial disparities in Howard County, the Racial Equity Task Force has reviewed different indicators, data, and information that pertain to racial equity in Howard County. In its final report, the Task Force offers over 60 recommendations for legislation, county programs, funding opportunities, and policy changes to improve racial equity. The final report includes detailed information on these recommendations, as well as information on the underlying data used by the Task Force.
"Firstly, I'm grateful for the members for giving their time and resources over the last few months. Their volunteerism and love for Howard County goes without saying. Secondly, I look forward to carefully reviewing every single recommendation and working with my colleagues on the County Council to file legislation to improve racial equity here in Howard County," said Councilmember Opel Jones. "I would like to offer a special thank you to the subgroup chairs, all members of the Racial Equity Task Force, and residents for your dedication and input for the betterment of our communities and Howard County."
“I am looking forward to reviewing the detailed recommendations that have been proposed by the Racial Equity Task Force in their final report,” said Councilwoman Christiana Rigby. “The Task Force members have worked incredibly hard over the last several months to prepare this report, and I am so grateful for their service to our community through this important effort.”
With the completion and presentation of the report to the Howard County Council, the Council now has the opportunity to review the recommendations proposed by the Task Force and begin the process of implementation.
You can read the final report of the Racial Equity Task Force here. You can learn more about the Task Force and its work here.
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