Social Activism Topics and Forums

Visit our Evening Sessions page to learn and discuss more during the Community Forums and Study Groups such as our The 1619 Project Study Group or view session recordings below.
The State of LGTBQ+ Representation in Howard County Public School System
In this session, we talked about where we are with LGBTQ+ Representation in HCPSS and where students and staff hope we will go and we heard from leaders and community members from CARY (Community Allies of Rainbow Youth), GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance), and others.
How to Effectively Discuss Matters of Race with Napoleon Wells, Clinical Psychologist/Professor/Theorist
Details: Our discussion will focus on means for effectively and impactfully creating a brave space for discussing Race within diverse spaces, across generations, and empowering the vulnerable.
July 30, 2020 Community Forum: Student Activists

Details: Meet the student leaders of initiatives to improve Howard County. Hear their goals and how the community can support their efforts. We are excited to specifically learn the following about each leader/group:
1. What was the inspiration for you to take action and organize your petition/group/protest?
2. What are your goals or desired outcomes?
3. How can we (Howard County community members) support your efforts moving forward?

The Student Leaders who presented during this session represent the following groups and organizations:
Special Thanks to Ella Harris for organizing all of these presenters.


Quotes from the session:
"Activism guides this generation's perspective on life" - Riley
"We can't let Howard County off the hook." - Sarah (in reference to the perspective that there is no racism here because of the diversity)
"Determining what is unacceptable and then going forward to change it..." - Ezra, talking about how we can help
"We need stories of Black success and not only Black downfall." - Maya


And some praise for the youth leaders:

"You are all amazing and inspirational leaders. Your energy, power, and strong voices provide me comfort and confidence of the positive changes to come from all of you. Good luck!"

"Yes!! How we can help get the curriculum changed. So annoyed at 56 I am just learning our true history"

Resources Related to Black Lives Matter, Social Justice and Activism, Equality, and Celebrating and Protecting Diversity

OMO Session Recordings

July 16, 2020
Learning about Migrants at the Border with Becca Niburg, Immigration Attorney 
Details: Becca has been an immigration attorney for over a decade. She volunteered at the border last August, visited the Mexican interior in October, and have continued to take pro bono cases from those caught at the border since then.   

June 11, 2020
A Conversation with Eva Schloss, Holocaust Survivor, Author, and International speaker

June 9, 2020
The Intersection of BLM and the fight for LGBTQ+ Rights with Jumel Howard, Organizer of Howard Co Pride

June 4, 2020
Activism and the Pursuit of Justice with Dr. Jason Nichols


June 3, 2020
Poetry of the Resistance with Wallace Jones


May 14, 2020
Some of the Amazing People Who Made History at OMHS with Vincent James, former OMHS teacher and founder of Alpha Achievers and Delta Scholars

May 11, 2020
Supporting LGBTQ+ Students w/CARY (Community Allies of Rainbow Youth) with Members of CARY, community activists and allies of Rainbow Youth
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April 13, 2020
A Conversation with Andy Shallal, founder of Busboys and Poets Andy shared with us how restaurants are adapting during this pandemic, his hopes for the new Columbia location, and his perspective on racial and economic equity.

April 10, 2020
Students Making a Change in Howard County with Christiana Mercer Rigby and Melissa Mack. Learn about the county students who worked to make changes regarding sodas and sugary beverages.

March 19, 2020
Gender Equality with Melissa Mack, English and Social Studies Scholar


The following sessions may be a bit high level for average elementary students, but the content is appropriate for all ages.
April 27, 2020
Justice, Community and Philanthropy: People, Place, Purpose with Kyle Reis, Career foundation professional
Bring your ideas, imagination, and empathy and learn about how foundations support social justice and community organizations.

March 20, 2020
Women in Government Sabina Taj, HCPSS Board of Education member, and Christiana Mercer Rigby, Howard County Council member discuss the benefits

Black Lives Matter Resources


Choose your preferred genre and start there:

▪️Nonfiction Book
“The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander

▪️Fiction Book
“The Hate You Give” by Angie Thomas

▪️Memoir
“When They Call You a Terrorist” by Patrisse Khan-Cullors and Ashe Bandele

▪️Graphic Novel
“March” (Book 1, 2, and 3) by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

▪️Children’s Book
“Let the Children March” by Monica Clark-Robinson and Frank Morrison

▪️Documentary
“13TH” (Netflix)
"Eyes on the Prize", PBS

▪️Movie
“Just Mercy” (rent for free across digital platforms in US during the month of June)

▪️TV Show
“mixed-ish” (ABC and Hulu)

▪️Song/Video
“This is America” by Childish Gambino


Community Organizations:
Additional Social Justice Resources:
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Black Lives Matter Book Talk June 18, 2020 Recommended Reads

Malcolm X
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi-(appropriate for middle-school aged children)
Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram Kendi
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Anything by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
The Black Book edited by Middleton A. Harris
Benjamin Banneker Biography or Children’s Books
Someone Who Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill
August Wilson plays
The Hate U Give

Documentaries to Watch:
I Am Not Your Negro
Pieces I Am
Malcolm X
When They See Us
Just Mercy
Innocent kid in prison one
Time: The Kalief Browder Story