In 2020, our country experienced widespread protests over racial injustice and inequality.

Amid the social upheaval, many residents of Howard County were seeking ways to help the community heal. Howard County Library System President and CEO Tonya Aikens heard these requests. The library and community members launched a workshop where participants could learn about racism and anti-racism.

This initiative is called Brave Voices, Brave Choices (BVBC). Its mission is to learn, grow, and act to improve equity and create a better world. Since its inception, BVBC has grown into a tapestry of resources and community-led projects. “I smile because it's become this beautiful family of folks doing amazing things in the community.”

What does racial equity mean to Tonya? “Equity says we will give everyone what they need to succeed. It looks different for everyone.” Part of the initiative is the Equity Resource Center, a collection of community data that provides resources from local and national organizations to the community. It features the Inequity Within report, an overview of racial equity across Howard County, Maryland's education, healthcare, housing, economic, and legal systems.

An essential feature of BVBC is Brave Stories, an archive where community members can share their life experiences with racism and inequality. “A story is a key way to build empathy,” Tonya explains. “Everybody has a story to tell, and everybody has something to learn from someone else.”

One member shared their experience creating an Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) booklist for K-12 students on the Brave Stories archive. “Promoting and connecting Howard County children and teens with materials to broaden understanding of the experiences of the AAPI community gives me hope,” said the member.

This story showcases BVBC’s dedication to hearing from people across all racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. When we allow ourselves to gain insight into the lives of others, we are given a precious gift, the gift of empathy and understanding. “The more we give people space to learn from others, and to share their stories, the better we all are.”

For Tonya, this is a passion project and a collaborative group effort meant to illuminate our society’s inequalities and find ways to create the change we desperately need. How do we move towards a more just world? It’s all about providing access to education and opportunities for all people. “The mission of the library system is to provide access to education that will transform and inspire. We aim to improve the quality of life for everyone in Howard County.”