Calendar

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Home
About
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Harvard-Westlake strives to be a diverse and inclusive community united by the joyful pursuit of educational excellence….

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential parts of educational excellence and data shows that it improves critical thinking and cognitive skills. To that end, the Harvard-Westlake Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is committed to ensuring that every single member of the Harvard-Westlake community is celebrated, appreciated, and included. Harvard-Westlake’s DEI efforts are multifaceted and far-reaching, impacting students, alumni, faculty and staff, parents, and the greater Los Angeles area. We recognize that striving to be a diverse and inclusive community is an ever-evolving imperative that requires empathy, an open mind, and a willingness to engage in crucial and, at times, uncomfortable conversations.

Affinity Groups

Brochure

Commitments

Initiatives

Resources

Team

DEI in Action

Black Girl Magic Retreat

Black Girl Magic Retreat

December 11, 2024

Harvard-Westlake hosted the second annual Black Girl Magic Retreat on December 11th, bringing together Black girls from across the school for a day of celebration, empowerment, and connection. The retreat featured engaging workshops and moments of relaxation and rejuvenation with WalkGood LA, a Black & Brown-led wellness organization. WalkGood leaders Ivy & Coco guided the girls through sound baths, meditation, and yoga sessions while Harvard-Westlake’s Visual Arts teacher, Ms. Cook, led the creation of cyanotype affirmation cards. The event fostered a sense of community and self-empowerment, leaving students feeling inspired and connected.

AACC Hosted Two Winter Themed Meetings

AACC Hosted Two Winter Themed Meetings

December 11, 2024

Recently, the middle school Asian American Culture Club (AACC) hosted two winter-themed gatherings: “Holiday Karaoke” and “Winter Wellness”. Knowing that this time of the year for students brings both joy and stress--midterms and papers, the AACC leaders wanted to bring both fun singalongs and self-care (face masks, hot tea, and treats) to the community.

HW Faculty & Staff Attend PoCC

HW Faculty & Staff Attend PoCC

December 4, 2024

Harvard-Westlake faculty and staff attended the 2024 NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC) from December 4–7 in Denver, Colorado. As NAIS’s flagship event for equity and justice in independent schools, this year’s conference embraced the theme Meeting the Moment: Anchoring and Enriching Our Education Futures which sought to invoke both ancestral wisdom and youthful creativity to combat injustice and foster thriving communities and individuals. The conference provided a supportive space for faculty and staff to exchange experiences, gain valuable insights, and cultivate personal and professional growth. Beyond the sessions, it fostered a sense of camaraderie, allowing colleagues to build meaningful connections, spend quality time together, and deepen their commitment to fostering equity and inclusion within the Harvard-Westlake community.

HWAAN 2nd Annual Black Friday at Johnny’s Mixer

HWAAN 2nd Annual Black Friday at Johnny’s Mixer

November 29, 2024

Harvard-Westlake African American Alumni Network (HWAAN) gathered over the Thanksgiving break for the 2nd annual Black Friday at JOHNNY’s mixer. HWAAN garthered to relax, reconnect, and rejoice in fellowship.

Jewish Club Dedication of the 10/7 Memorial Garden

Jewish Club Dedication of the 10/7 Memorial Garden

November 20, 2024

The Jewish Club hosted a dedication ceremony for the remembrance garden honoring the victims of October 7th. The garden features three Prickly Pear Cactus plants, symbolizing resilience and identity, as "Sabra" is a term for native-born Israelis—prickly on the outside but tender within. Rocks placed throughout the garden represent the Jewish tradition of leaving stones at gravesites to mark remembrance and connection. Students also created message rocks to showcase grief, support, and identity. The event brought students and faculty together to reflect, remember, and find solace in shared traditions.

BLACC Thanksgiving Potluck

BLACC Thanksgiving Potluck

November 20, 2024

BLACC hosted a festive celebration during break, welcoming all students, faculty, and staff to enjoy delicious food and community spirit. The event, made possible through the generosity and effort of dedicated parents, continued throughout the day, offering everyone a chance to connect and celebrate together.

AACC, SASA, JLCC Host the Middle School’s Inagural "Asian Thanksgiving.”

AACC, SASA, JLCC Host the Middle School’s Inagural "Asian Thanksgiving.”

November 22, 2024

Leaders from Asian American Culture Club (AACC), South Asian Student Alliance (SASA,) and Japanese Language & Culture Club (JLCC) came together to host the middle school’s inagural "Asian Thanksgiving." The event featured an array of delicious cultural foods, beverages, and snacks, offering a flavorful journey through different traditions. Students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate friendship, community, and gratitude. This inaugural celebration highlighted the joy of sharing diverse cultures and creating meaningful connections across the middle school community.

Veterans Day Assembly

Veterans Day Assembly

November 11, 2024

Honoring Veterans Day today at Harvard-Westlake with a beautiful tribute from our Assistant Head of School for Belonging, Mrs. Janine Jones, who spoke about her grandfather’s experience in the military and upon his return from war. We salute all who served and honor their work.

View More

HW Heritage Festival

The Heritage Festival at HW celebrates the school’s diverse community by bringing families together to share cultures, connect with new members, and participate in vibrant affinity groups.

Harvard-Westlake Upper School Campus

Southern California Diversity Recruiting Fair 2025

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, Harvard-Westlake will host the annual Southern California Diversity Recruiting Fair.

Harvard-Westlake Upper School Campus

r

Pollyanna Conference 2025

This one-day conference takes an in-depth look at different DEI topics and the way they play out in our individual institutions.

Harvard-Westlake Middle School Campus

Student Leaders for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (SLIDE) Leadership Development Program (LDP)

SLIDE LDP is a three-day/two-night residential program for students in grades 10-12 from all school types to gather for fellowship, leadership development, courageous conversations, and the creation of a sustainable action plan around topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging.

Harvard-Westlake Middle School Campus

In About