ABOUT
The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission (MLK) was established by order of the Howard County Executive to encourage and coordinate appropriate ceremonies and activities honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. The Commission shall consist of 17 voting members, and at least one nonvoting student member under the age of 19. Each year, the MLK celebration takes place on the third Sunday of January. The Day of Service takes place the next day on the third Monday of January. The Day of Service provides a variety of service opportunities throughout the community that is representative of Dr. King’s dedication to servant leadership.
2026 MLK Elementary, Middle & High School Poster Contest Submissions
Commission Information
Commissioners
The Commission shall consist of 17 voting members, and at least one nonvoting student member under the age of 19.
|
Name & Role (if applicable) |
Term Expiration |
|---|---|
| Jennifer-NeToi Claiborne, Chair | 3/3/2028 |
| Kerry G. Johnson, Vice Chair | 3/3/2028 |
| Abbie Diane Martin, Ph.D. | 3/6/2027 |
| Algie Marvel | 11/3/2028 |
| Brett Vess | 5/5/2028 |
| Chippella Lewis | 4/7/2028 |
| James Hollywood, III | 3/5/2027 |
| Karen Foxworth, LCPC | 3/3/2028 |
| Kurt W. Wall | 5/6/2027 |
| Margaret Stephens | 3/3/2028 |
| Teresa Garcia | 5/6/2027 |
| Tina Horn | 5/1/2027 |
| Nathanial Vernon Clarke, High School Representative | 10/6/2026 |
| Hemant Kantheti, High School Representative | 10/6/2026 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commissioner Vacancies (Updated January 9, 2026):
- 5 Community Representatives (Adult)
2026 Meeting Schedule
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission meets on the first Wednesday of every month, at 6:00 PM, except in July. Meetings are open to the public.
January 07, 2026
February 04, 2026
March 04, 2026
April 01, 2026
May 06, 2026
June 03, 2026
TBA (Annual Retreat)
August 5, 2026
September 02, 2026
October 07, 2026
November 04, 2026
December 02, 2026
Howard County Government Staff
- LaKeisha McClendon (she/her), Office of Human Rights and Equity Administrator
- Steph Bertrand (he/him), Executive Secretary
Monthly Pop-Up Food Pantry
Monthly Pop-up Food Pantry
PLEASE NOTE, THERE WILL BE NO FOOD PANTRY IN FEBRUARY 2026.
Join us at the Ridgley Run Community Center or Hopkins Methodist Church for our monthly food distribution Pop-up Pantry in collaboration with the Harriet Tubman Foundation. If you'd like to volunteer to help us sort and distribute food to the community, come at 8:30 AM.
RIDGELY'S RUN COMMUNITY CENTER: 8400 Mission Road, Jessup, MD 20794
and HOPKINS METHODIST CHURCH: 13250 Highland Road, Highland, MD 20777
For More Information:
(410) 313-6430
mlk@howardcountymd.gov
Meeting Agendas & Minutes
2026
The Office of Human Rights and Equity strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation to access a public Commission meeting or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. Accommodations requested less than five business days before a meeting are not guaranteed, though every effort will be taken to provide said accommodation.
Please note, meeting minutes will be posted after they are finalized and approved by motion at the following regular Commission meeting.
January 07, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
February 04, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
March 04, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
April 01, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
May 06, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
June 03, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
TBA (Annual Retreat)
- Agenda
- Minutes
August 5, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
September 02, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
October 07, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
November 04, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
December 02, 2026
- Agenda
- Minutes
2025
The Office of Human Rights and Equity strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation to access a public Commission meeting or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. Accommodations requested less than five business days before a meeting are not guaranteed, though every effort will be taken to provide said accommodation.
Please note, meeting minutes will be posted after they are finalized and approved by motion at the following regular Commission meeting.
January 08, 2025
February 05, 2025
March 05, 2025
April 02, 2025
May 07, 2025
June 04, 2025
July 13, 2025 (Annual Retreat)
August 6, 2025
September 03, 2025
September 13, 2025 (OHRE Commission Strategic Planning Summit)
October 08, 2025
November 05, 2025
November 19, 2025 (Special Meeting)
- Agenda
- Minutes
December 03, 2025
- Agenda
- Minutes
2024
The Office of Human Rights and Equity strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation to access a Public Commission meeting or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov. Accommodations requested less than five business days before a meeting are not guaranteed, though every effort will be taken to provide said accommodation.
December 4th
November 6th
October 17th
September 4th
August 7th:
June 9th MLK COMMISSION RETREAT
May 1st
April 3rd
March 6th
February 7th
January 3rd
2023
2022
December 7th
November 2nd
October 12th
September 7th
August 3rd
June 1st
- Agenda
- Minutes (No Quorum, no meeting)
May 14th Annual Retreat
May 4th
April 6th
March 2nd
February 2nd
January 12th
January 5th