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. Commissioners are appointed by the County Executive to serve an initial term of two years. 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 Celebration
2026 MLK Celebration and Day of Service
“How can I model inclusion and acceptance to create real change in the world?"
The Howard County Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, in partnership with the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity and County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball, invite you to our family-friendly, multicultural celebration to commemorate the life and achievements of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The event will be held at the Horowitz Center Smith Theatre at Howard Community College and feature musical performances, dramatic presentations, a keynote address, as well as the recognition of the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Living the Dream" Award recipients and winners of the student oratory, essay, and poster contests.
The following day, on January 19th, join us in an interactive MLK Day of Service at the the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center. Community members can honor Dr. King's legacy through a tribute room, a Read-In with community members reading books about Dr. King, and a variety of service activities suitable for all ages.
Click HERE for information about the MLK Commission's contests and awards.
Commission Information
Commissioners
Kurt W. Wall, Chair - Term Expires: 3/6/25
James Hollywood, III, Vice-Chair - Term Expires: 3/5/27
Daniel Nairn, Secretary - Term Expires: 03/1/27
Jennifer Claiborne - Term Expires: 3/3/28
Karen Foxworth, LCPC- Term Expires: 3/3/28
Teresa Garcia - Term Expires: 5/6/27
Kerry G. Johnson - Term Expires: 3/3/28
Tamerdis Hollywood - Term Expires 7/1/27
Tina Horn - Term Expires: 5/1/27
Chippella Lewis - Term Expires: 5/7/28
Abbie Diane Martin, Ph.D. - Term Expires: 3/6/27
Margaret Stephens - Term Expires 3/3/28
Brett Vess - Term Expires: 3/1/27
Ishaan Busireddy, Student Commissioner - Term Expires: 7/30/25
Tabitha Dixon, Student Commissioner - Term Expires 6/30/25
2025 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 06, 2025 - Special Meeting for Celebration Rehearsal
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
October 01, 2025
November 05, 2025
December 03, 2025
Howard County Government Staff
- LaKeisha McClendon (she/her), Office of Human Rights and Equity Administrator
- Dr. Denise Boston (she/her), Executive Secretary
- Marla Moore (she/her), Recording Secretary
Monthly Pop-Up Food Pantry
Monthly Pop-up Food Pantry
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
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
- Agenda
- Minutes
July 13, 2025 (Annual Retreat)
- Agenda
- Minutes
August 6, 2025
- Agenda
- Minutes
September 03, 2025
- Agenda
- Minutes
October 01, 2025
- Agenda
- Minutes
November 05, 2025
- 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