By Chrissy M. Thornton
Special to the AFRO
Across the country, we are seeing civil and human rights tested in unprecedented ways. Equity, diversity and inclusion efforts are being dismantled. Affirmative action is under attack. And historical truths are being pushed aside in favor of revisionist narratives. This isn’t just ideological – it has real-world consequences in housing access, employment discrimination, educational inequity and economic opportunity.
At a time when it could be easy to retreat or stay silent, the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission (HRC), for which I serve as Chair – is choosing to stand firm.
Recently, we welcomed Cleveland L. Horton II, executive director of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), as our guest speaker at our monthly public meeting. Mr. Horton delivered an eye-opening and affirming presentation on “The State of the Work,” highlighting where we are as a state and a nation in the fight for equity and justice. His message was both sobering and energizing: while the pressure on civil rights infrastructure is growing, so too must our resolve and our willingness to collaborate across all levels of government.
Horton reminded us that MCCR has been on the front lines of this work since 1927 – when it was founded as the Interracial Commission of Maryland – and has since evolved into a modern enforcement agency with deep experience in addressing everything from housing discrimination to hate crimes. From the CROWN Act to the addition of source of income and military status as protected classes, MCCR has worked persistently to meet each moment in history with courage and action.
It’s a legacy of adaptation and advocacy that offers an important lesson: civil rights work cannot afford to stagnate, and it cannot be done in isolation.
In Baltimore County, the Human Relations Commission is continuing to serve residents despite a period of internal transition. A new County Executive, and a vacancy in the role of Chief of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – a role that also serves as our Executive Director – has not yet been appointed but is in progress. Still, the Commission remains fully engaged in its mission, thanks in large part to the leadership of David Skinner, the department’s Program Manager, who has skillfully and capably taken on many of the director’s responsibilities since February. His work, and that of the small staff, has kept both the work of the County and the Commission moving forward and connected to the outcomes we have been working toward.
We were also grateful this past week to be joined by D’Andrea L. Walker, Baltimore County’s Administrative Officer, who attended the meeting and to our relief, publicly reaffirmed the County’s belief in the value and necessity of this work. Her presence was more than symbolic – it was a vital affirmation at a time when clear public commitment matters.
Seven of our fifteen commission seats remain vacant, though strong adult and youth candidates have already been interviewed and presented for appointment. At the same time, the HRC is in the process of being administratively repositioned under the Office of Human Resources (OHR). While this alignment is somewhat unconventional for a quasi-independent civil rights entity like ours – whose mission is to protect the rights of County residents in external matters rather than address internal personnel issues – we remain hopeful. We recognize and appreciate the thoughtful decision-making of the County Executive, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Human Resources. Their visible goodwill and steadfast commitment to ensuring the continuity and impact of our work are deeply reassuring. We trust that the County will continue to make choices that uplift and protect the ability of the Commission to serve the public effectively.
While we are operating in major moments of change, we are not standing still. The HRC has launched a strategic plan focused on three critical areas: strengthening community partnerships, organizing a high-impact signature public event and expanding educational outreach to ensure residents understand their rights under the law.
These efforts are guided by Article 29 of the Baltimore County Code, which empowers the Commission to investigate, adjudicate and resolve cases of discrimination in housing, employment, education, public accommodations and finance. Article 29 defines the work – but it’s up to the County to resource it, and up to us to bring it to life. And we are doing just that.
Our community partnerships are growing. Our committees are developing public-facing resources. And our upcoming signature event will serve as both a celebration of civil rights progress and a platform for meaningful public dialogue. We are also working to make our educational materials accessible, multilingual and action-oriented – because people cannot advocate for rights they don’t know they have.
Horton’s presentation underscored that Baltimore County’s work must be intentional and part of a larger movement. Statewide, efforts to add criminal records as a protected class are gaining momentum. Discrimination based on source of income continues to rise, especially in housing. And racial bias in appraisals, lending and hiring persists. Local commissions like ours are on the front lines of these issues – and we must be fully supported and clearly aligned with state and federal partners.
Baltimore County has the opportunity to be a leader in civil rights enforcement in our region. But leadership requires clarity, visibility and investment. We must fill our Commission vacancies. We must appoint capable permanent leadership. And we must ensure the work of equity is resourced and placed in a hierarchy where it will continue to thrive.
To Cleveland Horton and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights: thank you for your leadership, your candor, your guidance and your commitment to partnership. This is our moment to lead boldly, to affirm that equity is not a luxury but a fundamental promise. With collaboration, clarity and shared purpose, the Human Relations Commission is not only ready – we are inspired to continue this vital work for a stronger, fairer Baltimore County.
Let us stand firm – and let us do it together.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.