Leadership Howard County accepted 43 professionals from county businesses and nonprofits into its Leadership Premier program’s class of 2025.
Leadership Premier is an exploration of the community during which participants meet with county businesses and local leaders and learn about issues. The program was launched in 1985 to develop well-informed individuals committed to devoting their time and resources for community improvement, according to Leadership Howard County. The program addresses countywide issues in monthly, daylong seminars during which participants meet with established leaders in business, government and community services.
Since its inception, more than 1,500 individuals have graduated from Leadership Premier and now lead nonprofit boards and civic organizations serving Howard County.
The members of the class of 2025 are:
- Donyel Bacon, U.S. Department of Defense
- Liz Banach, Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence
- Meredith Barclay, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Sherman Braxton, Baltimore City Fire Department
- Cherie Brooks, Power52 Foundation
- Antoinette Brown, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
- Tamika Bybee, Howard Community College
- Chuck Chandler, Residence Inn Fulton at Maple Lawn
- Auna Cooper, United Way of Central Maryland
- Jessica Cunningham, United States Department of Defense
- Vera Davies, Howard County Library System
- Lynda Eisenberg, Howard County government
- Felix Facchine, Howard County government
- Celina Figueroa, Howard Hughes Corp.
- Jeff Fink, Howard County Public School System
- Mike Garcia, Habitat for Humanity Chesapeake
- Melissa Green Parker, Department of Health and Human Services
- Vinicio Guzman, Hispanicpreneurs
- Ahmad Hachicho, Allen + Shariff Corp.
- Jamar Herry, Howard County government
- Kierra Kimmie, Howard County Economic Development Authority
- Chet Knaup, Spectrum Energy
- Wendy Letow, Respite Retreats
- Bryan Linkous, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Shawn MacInnes, Columbia Association
- Uche Maple, Noteworthy Consulting
- Camille Mazelev, Maze Consulting LLC
- Renee McSwain, Sagelight Integrative Wellness Center
- Christopher Mills, First Citizens Bank
- Gabriel Moreno, Luminus Network for New Americans
- Ngozi Obineme, HopeWorks of Howard County Inc.
- Darshni Patel, Howard County Economic Development Authority
- Marie Ritzenberg, Main Street Home Loans
- Eric Rosenberg, M&T Bank
- Carrie Ross, Community Action Council of Howard County
- Sandy Sicinski, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Cindy Skalny, Howard County government
- Yolanda Vazquez, Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office
- Jay Vidyarthi, Community Foundation of Howard County
- Wende Weber, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.
- Keli Wilson, DCI Consulting
- Bofta Yimam, StoryLede
For more information, visit leadershiphc.org .
Discussion on proposed roundabout at intersection of Gorman Road at Skylark Boulevard
The Howard County Department of Public Works will hold a community outreach meeting Oct. 22 at Murray Hill Middle School in Laurel to discuss converting the existing stop sign controlled intersection of Gorman Road at Skylark Boulevard into a single-lane roundabout.
The goal of the project is to enhance traffic operations and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in the North Laurel Emerson subdivision, according to a county government news release.
“This transportation project is an important priority for residents of our Emerson community and greater North Laurel area. Together, we will continue to invest in important projects like this that make our roads and streets more accessible and safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers alike,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in the release.
The project will also include the installation of marked crosswalks and bicycle treatments, which provide cyclists approaching the roundabout the option to exit at bicycle ramps to use the proposed pathway, according to the release. The project is scheduled to begin summer 2025 and weather permitting, is expected to take nine months to complete.
At this informal meeting, preliminary design plans for the project will be available for viewing and county staff and the project’s design consultant will be on hand to answer questions and gather comments.
Those unable to attend the meeting can contact the project manager, Caitlin Kovel at 410-313-6142 or email ckovel@howardcountymd.gov .
Commission announces Human Rights Awards winners
The Howard County Human Rights Commission has announced winners of its 2024 Human Rights Awards.
The winners include Dwanna Nicole, recipient of the James E. Henson Sr. & Jean W. Toomer Award); Columbia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., recipient of the Colette Roberts Organization Award; and Ishaan Busireddy, recipient of the Dr. Murray Simon Student Award.
“This year’s winners are a testament to the amazing residents and organizations who commit their time, expertise and resources to improving our community for all,” Ball said in the release.
As executive director of the Restorative Justice Partnership, Nicole collaborates with educators, students, families and community members to foster restorative spaces in schools and beyond, according to the release. Central to her work is the belief that everyone deserves equitable learning environments, healthy relationships and opportunities for healing and conflict transformation.
Founded in 1971, the Columbia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was the first African-American sorority or fraternity to establish a chapter in Howard County, according to the release. The nonprofit is focused on providing assistance and support through community programs worldwide and advocates for underrepresented communities by volunteering and meeting with legislators on issues such as voting rights, maternal health, equal pay and more.
Busireddy is tackling food insecurity in Howard County by promoting sustainable agriculture and community engagement, according to the release. His first project involved renovating his middle school’s greenhouse with donations he earned from tutoring. He has helped build 12 gardens in local schools, providing lesson materials to teach students how to grow vegetables and encourage their families to start home gardens.
“We are fortunate to reside in a county where the people who work, live, visit and play, bring with them the spirit of humanity,” Human Rights Commission Chairperson Lynda Earle said in the release.
The purpose of these awards is to recognize exemplary citizenship, dedicated leadership and outstanding achievement in eliminating or eradicating discrimination, while advancing human rights for all residents. The awards are named after several pioneers of human rights who lived, worked, and/or served in Howard County, to honor and preserve their contributions and legacy. Award recipients are selected by the commission based on nominations submitted by the community.
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