Human Rights Commission Launches Largest Cohort of the Student Leadership Council

The Prince William County Human Rights Commission recently stood up Cohort 9 of its Human Rights Student Leadership Council, marking a milestone with its largest group since the council’s inception in 2015. With 67 high school students, the council aims to help sophomores, juniors and seniors from public high schools, private schools and home schools from across the county develop leadership skills and learn about county government through the lens of human rights.   

During their time on the council, the students will learn about equity and inclusion, the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, the Fair Housing Act, and the rights and responsibilities of the workplace. They will take part in guided discussions to learn differing perspectives and discuss how they would guide the community as the next generation of leaders; and they will present their hopes for the community's future to the Human Rights Commission.  

Prince William County Executive Chris Shorter gave the keynote address to the new council members and an audience of their parents and friends that overflowed the Board of County Supervisors Chambers at the McCoart Government Center.   

"You are already making a difference in the lives of people around you. You are already the hopes and dreams of your parents and your school administrators right now,” said Shorter. "Thank you all for your interest. Thank you all for the journey that you are about to go on. A year with us in this program, learning about human rights and civil rights, is going to be meaningful to you, but it's meaningful to us. It is meaningful to the future of this county."   

Guest speaker Dr. Charmelle Ackins, Chief Equity Officer for Prince William County Public Schools, emphasized the cohort's theme, "Lead and Learn: Emerging Leaders in Human Rights." Ackins commended the students for their dedication and highlighted the importance of their role as emerging leaders.  

"Emerging leaders stand at the nexus of two groups – realized leaders and potential leaders. Realized leaders know how to use their powerful voice for better change," Ackins said. "Potential leaders have still yet to be discovered, encouraged and supported. As emerging leaders, you are discovering a voice, recognizing your potential and stepping into your leadership."   

She called on the students to use their position to promote justice and dignity. "Know this. Every voice matters. Leadership is a choice. It belongs to anyone willing to stand up for the rights of others."  

Prince William Human Rights Commission Chair Curtis Porter welcomed the students to what he described as an award-winning collaboration between the commission and Prince William County Public Schools. He underscored the commission's longstanding mission of eliminating discrimination and promoting equal opportunity in the county.  

"The power of citizens and residents being engaged in county government is very important, and it was the citizens and residents of Prince William County in 1991 that filled this room and told the Board of County Supervisors, yes, we want a human rights commission with enforcement power in Prince William County," Porter said.   

Prince William County Public Schools Liaison to the Commission, Carolyn Custard, praised the enduring partnership between the school system and the commission. "Our partnership and our collaborative effort will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of many of our students each year," she said.   

Learn more about the Human Rights Student Leadership Council at pwcva.gov/department/human-rights/student-leadership-council.