MACo Diversity Caucus Symposium Recap – Workforce, Youth Investment, and Health Disparities

The MACo Diversity Caucus – chaired by Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball – hosted a first-time virtual symposium. Seven panelists covering workforce, youth investment, and health disparities discussed challenges facing women and communities of color across the state, as well as what local and state governments can do to support new and existing efforts.

Yesterday morning the MACo Diversity Caucus presented a two hour virtual symposium for MACo members. This educational session, hosted by caucus chairman Howard County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, touched on a number of areas where social and economic pressures are disproportionately impacting women and minority residents. After opening remarks from Chairman Ball, the below panels shared thoughts and answered questions.

The focus of the time was on what local jurisdictions and other stakeholders can do to ease challenges and barriers for these communities, with Chairman Ball highlighting that leveraging and engaging all communities directly impacts the prosperity of counties and residents statewide. Takeaways across all three categories focused on the economic and social benefits of removing obstacles for residents experiencing resource pressure and scarcity, disproportionate marginalization, and other vulnerabilities. Successful initiatives shared similar tactics including:

  • understand the need and areas of opportunity
  • match resources with need
  • be consistent with engagement
  • measure outcomes in order to refine strategies

A driving sentiment from the discussion was that initiatives are a primary step to removing obstacles and moving forward productively but commitment and follow through are vital to achieve improved outcomes. All categories touched directly on the impacts of early intervention with younger populations in order to discontinue cycles that compound challenges across generations.

Session 1: Championing Economic Development & Workforce

  • Dr. Daria Willis, President, Howard Community College
  • Dr. Daraius Irani, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research, Towson University  
  • Antoinette Forte, Director of Talent Management, Fearless 
  • Moderator: Stephanie Adibe, Administrator, Howard County Office of Workforce Development

Session 2: Prioritizing Youth Investments & Crime Reduction

  • Benjamin Barnwell, Manager of Community Engagement, Howard County Local Children’s Board/Department of Community Resources and Services 
  • Maryland State Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, Dorchester and Wicomico Counties
  • Moderator: Dr. Angela Williams, Executive Director for Title III Programs, Coppin State University

Session 3: Combating Health Disparities

  • Councilmember Phylicia Porter, Baltimore City Council, District 10
  • Dr. Oquendo Beruz, Retired Physician, Alianza Latina Commission 
  • Moderator: Dr. Lanlan Xu, Chair, Howard County AAPI Commission