Former Stoneleigh Fellow Nikki Smith-Kea is leading an expansion of Anne Arundel County’s hate crimes prevention work, including a new campaign, community survey, and tools to identify and investigate hate crimes.
Annapolis, MD (June 5, 2025) – The Anne Arundel County Office of Equity and Human Rights (OEHR) recently launched a new public education campaign, “Uncover Hate” as part of its broader Hate Crimes Prevention Program. Funded by a $1.2 million grant from the US Department of Justice, the initiative aims to improve community understanding on how to effectively identify and report hate crimes and hate bias incidents, and strengthen local response and prevention efforts.
“In 2020, after leading the state in reported hate bias incidents, Anne Arundel County changed our slogan to ‘The Best Place – For All’ to let everyone know that they are welcome here,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “The Hate Crimes Prevention Program is a direct reflection of our values and the work we have started since then to build a community where all individuals feel welcomed, safe, respected, and valued.”
The Anne Arundel County Hate Crimes Prevention Program team, led by Nicola “Dr. Nikki” Smith-Kea, PhD, is pursuing a multi-pronged approach that includes public education, law enforcement support, and community collaboration.
