Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action

South Asian Student Alliance (SASA), Middle Eastern Student Alliance (MESA), and Muslim Student Association (MSA) came together for a special Lunch & Learn to celebrate and educate the community about Ramadan. Attendees enjoyed dates and cookies while hearing from Harvard-West;ake community members currently observing the holiday. A slideshow and an interactive Kahoot game helped deepen understanding of Ramadan’s significance, fostering a space for learning, reflection, and cultural appreciation.

The head of Harvard-Westlake’s fencing program shared her inspiring journey of resilience and determination. Immigrating from Lima as a lawyer, she transitioned from working at one of the most prestigious fencing clubs to taking a job at Fry’s Electronics and later becoming a teaching assistant. A pivotal suggestion led her to reach out to USA Fencing, which connected her with private schools ultimately bringing her to HW. Her story highlighted the power of persistence, perseverance, and seizing opportunities, encouraging students to stay determined and never give up on their goals.

Harvard-Westlake welcomed Father Greg Boyle to an all-school assembly, a Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program, Father Boyle has dedicated his life to transforming lives through compassion, kinship, and opportunity. His work challenges us to rethink justice, community, and the power of second chances. Father Boyle’s message of hope and radical kinship is sure to inspire and resonate with our community.

Comedian and actor Chris Rock, known for Grown Ups, Everybody Hates Chris, and voicing Marty in Madagascar, shared insights on his career and the challenges of diversity in entertainment. Organized by Harvard-Westlake’s Art & Business Club, Chris Rock reflected on his time at Saturday Night Live and acknowledged that he was essentially a diversity, equity, and inclusion hire, brought in during a time when SNL faced criticism for its lack of diversity. He discussed how invisible barriers made it easier for other comedians to land roles, despite his own talent. His reflections underscored the importance of intentional efforts to break down systemic barriers and create opportunities for underrepresented voices.

To honor Women’s History Month, Women of Color (WOC) launched an interactive campus-wide challenge highlighting influential women in history. Students posted 15 posters marked with pink stars, each featuring a QR code to scan and answer questions about the featured women. Those who engaged with the most posters had the chance to win an Erewhon gift card! Throughout the month, the celebration continued with female artist-only music on the Quad and special editions of ROE V BRO, filmed every Friday. The initiative brought the community together to celebrate women’s contributions in history, art, and activism.

This lunchtime workshop explored how environmental challenges disproportionately affect marginalized communities and what actions we can take to advocate for change both within our school and beyond. Attendees engaged in meaningful discussions while enjoying environmentally friendly, vegetarian, and vegan salads and bowls to stay on theme. The event emphasized the importance of sustainability, equity, and collective action in addressing environmental issues.

Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) students and Student Leaders for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (SLIDE) Co-Chairs led an interactive session focused on building community and fostering belonging. They shared insights from their experiences at SDLC and key takeaways from Town Hall meetings, highlighting ways to create more inclusive spaces. Through hands-on activities, they guided faculty and staff in strategies to ensure all students feel seen and supported in the classroom. A similar presentation will be shared with Upper School faculty and staff on Monday, March 10th.

To celebrate Black History Month, Black Leadership Awareness and Culture Club (BLACC) hosted a powerful assembly featuring California Supreme Court Justice Martin Jenkins and Altadena residents Mrs. Susan Carr and Mr. Darrell Carr. The speakers, who are also Harvard-Westlake parents, shared the rich history of Altadena alongside their personal experiences, offering meaningful insights into Black history and resilience. Following the assembly, BLACC students gathered in Bing 123 during 3rd period for an intimate conversation with the guests, enjoying refreshments while diving deeper into their stories. The event fostered connection, learning, and celebration, highlighting the importance of honoring Black history and lived experiences.