Community Outreach Purpose
The Community Outreach Unit increases the presence of the Office of Human Rights & Equity within Howard County, Maryland by creating opportunities for residents to affirm their humanity while protecting that of their neighbor's. The Outreach Unit accomplishes this by providing trainings, presentations, listening sessions, and events to government agencies, organizations, and community members around racial equity, social justice, and human relations.
We invite you to join us at any of our virtual or in-person events as we celebrate the unique diversity of our County, educate residents on how our Office enforces the Human Rights Code, all while inspiring our community to promote diversity, equity, and justice in all human relations.
Community Outreach Team
Liv Alanis Myers (they/elle) brings fifteen years' experience developing a diverse range of participatory, inclusive, and equitable youth and community programs to the role of Outreach and Communications Manager. Before joining the office in May 2024, they held a variety of roles in the community engagement sphere across three countries, where they developed cultural events, festivals, trainings, workshops, curriculums, and participatory projects in partnership with diverse community groups. Liv is a passionate advocate for coalition-building, decolonising community development practices, and reimagining the role of relationship in collective liberation. Their equity work is grounded in anti-oppressive practice, belonging, and play, as well as their experiences as a trans, queer, and neurodivergent person. Liv received a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from the University of Manchester (UK), where they focused on Applied Theatre in Prisons, a Master of Arts degree in Youth and Community Work from Manchester Metropolitan University (UK), and a graduate certificate in Intercultural Leadership from The University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Petra Guiland (she/her) is dedicated to connecting with communities, amplifying underrepresented voices, and supporting families through her role as the Outreach Specialist for the Office of Human Rights and Equity. Joining the office in August 2024, Petra is passionate about shaping meaningful relationships with community partners to create impactful collaborations toward equitable and inclusive change.
Growing up as a third-culture kid, Petra developed the ability to navigate diverse diplomatic landscapes. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with various populations, contributing to a range of initiatives, including coordinating a government-led language acquisition program in Chile, overseeing a city-operated art museum during the pandemic, and developing corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Her career reflects a deep commitment to challenging and diverse experiences, all aimed at supporting Howard County residents and their community.
Petra’s enthusiasm to support the community with a growth mindset is pivotal to positive impact and change. She focuses on building strong connections within the community and leveraging these relationships to support and empower families and individuals. Her work involves engaging with various organizations to address community needs within an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
Petra holds a bachelor’s in art history from the University of Maryland, College Park and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Organizational Consulting from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Steph Bertrand (he/him) is a public health professional with nearly 20 years of experience in coalition-building, community engagement, and equity-focused program coordination. As Program Coordinator for the Baltimore City Health Department’s Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC), he led collaborative initiatives that addressed chronic disease prevention, social determinants of health, and resource navigation through CHARMcare, an online platform connecting residents to vital community services. He is a Maryland Certified Community Health Worker, holds a Professional Certificate in Public Engagement for Local Government from the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at Pepperdine University, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
Steph is recognized for his ability to bring together diverse stakeholders, from grassroots leaders to large institutions, and for ensuring that community voice guides strategy and decision-making. He has facilitated workgroups on diabetes prevention, youth engagement, and community trust, while also mentoring the next generation of public health professionals through structured intern training and supervision.
Building on this foundation, Steph is advancing his work in Howard County with a focus on human rights and equity. His efforts aim to dismantle systemic barriers, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and champion inclusive practices that empower residents, ensuring that health, opportunity, and dignity are accessible to all communities.
Samiyah Hira (she/her) has served as Howard County’s Community Ambassador Coordinator since October 2023. In that role, Samiyah empowers the community with information regarding the resources and services offered by Howard County Government. Since becoming the county’s first Community Ambassador Program Coordinator, Samiyah has hosted nearly 20 sessions highlighting various departments and the program includes nearly 250 Ambassadors from across Howard County.
Before moving to Howard County in 1994, Samiyah lived in Canada, England, and Africa. She speaks seven languages, including English, French, Urdu, Gujarati, Lingala, Swahili, and Hindi. In her free time, Hira enjoys reading, painting, doing puzzles and most importantly, spending time with her family.
One of Samiyah’s favorite parts about her role is meeting new people, being of service to others, getting to know the different challenges in our county and how to help.
Community Engagement and Education Opportunities
1-hour Commitment
Join Howard County’s Office of Human Rights and Equity as we explore the resources and services that aim to honor and preserve the humanity of all people. This presentation focuses on giving the audience an understanding about the Office and how we serve Howard County residents. If you live, work, play, or worship here in Howard County and you'd like the OHRE Community Outreach Unit to come and share more about the work of our office be sure to click on the link below and fill out our Community Engagement Request Form.
2.5-hour Commitment
Presented by the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, this virtual, interactive training will allow you develop the skills you need to effectively protect and promote the humanity of those being targeted or harassed because of their personal or cultural identity.
In this training, we will explore:
- How to recognize and overcome common barriers to intervention.
- The profound impact of bystander behavior and how to center the needs of the targeted person.
- The crucial role of cultural awareness in successful intervention.
- Practical intervention strategies that you can add to your Bystander Intervention Toolkit.
- The importance of self and community care in sustaining your commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive environment.
90-180 minute Commitment
This training, which can be customized to the particular needs of a given office, department, or organization, deepens awareness of effective intercultural communication and its impact, and supports the development of tools to increase intercultural awareness and apply cultural intelligence in both professional and personal environments. If your office, department, or organization is based in Howard County and you would like this training click on the link below and fill out our Community Engagement Request Form.
The Community Outreach Unit is committed to promoting human rights here in Howard County, Maryland. If you'd like someone from the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity to provide a FREE customized training, presentation, or speech for your Howard County-based office, department, organization, or program click on the link below and fill out our Community Engagement Request Form. We'd love to come and speak on the importance of cultural awareness, help uproot unconscious bias, educate on the Human Rights Code and how we enforce it, and give you the tools you need to foster equitable diversity that celebrates difference and promotes a safe environment for all people.
OHRE TV is a media hub created and produced by the Community Outreach Unit. Click on the link below to watch cultural events, webinars, presentations, and more all featuring the work of the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity.
