Montgomery County Appoints New Human Relations Commission Members

Eight individuals selected to serve on committee aimed at addressing discrimination

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners has appointed eight new members to the county's Human Relations Commission. The commission is tasked with providing a space for residents to address issues of discrimination and ensure equal opportunities in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Why it matters

The creation of the Human Relations Commission signals Montgomery County's commitment to addressing discrimination and promoting civil rights for all residents. The commission will serve as an independent, nonpartisan body to investigate claims of discrimination and work to uphold state and federal laws protecting equal rights.

The details

The eight new commission members are Samuel Coleman IV, Desha Dickson, Fiona Dow, John Han, Rosemary Jenkins, Shahidul Partha, Burt Siegel, and Akilah Williams-Valdez. They were selected in late February and will be responsible for establishing bylaws, providing protections against discrimination, and ensuring residents can fully enjoy the benefits of citizenship. The commission will address issues related to age, ancestry, color, familial status, disability, national origin, race, religion, and sex.

  • The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners authorized the eight-member appointment during a recent meeting.
  • The new commission members were selected in late February 2026.

The players

Jamila Winder

Chairwoman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

Neil Makhija

Vice Chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

Tom DiBello

Republican Commissioner on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

Benjamin Field

Montgomery County Solicitor.

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What they’re saying

“I think the commission sends a clear message to our residents that discrimination has no place here, and if you face it, you have a county that will stand with you.”

— Jamila Winder, Chairwoman, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (thereporteronline.com)

“The implications for our residents would be real and immediate, and for the first time, they would have a place here locally to bring issues of civil rights and human relations.”

— Neil Makhija, Vice Chairman, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (thereporteronline.com)

What’s next

The new Human Relations Commission members will be tasked with determining appropriate bylaws and ensuring the commission can provide access and assistance to residents in accordance with state and federal laws.

The takeaway

The creation of the Montgomery County Human Relations Commission demonstrates the county's commitment to addressing discrimination and promoting equal rights for all residents. The commission will serve as an independent, nonpartisan body to investigate claims of discrimination and work to uphold civil rights protections.