Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action

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.

Harvard-Westlake hosted the annual Independent Schools Diversity Recruiting Fair on February 22, 2025, bringing together faculty, staff, and administrators from underrepresented groups to explore careers in independent schools. The event featured panel discussions with school representatives and current students, highlighting the impact that a diverse faculty, administration, and staff have on the educational experience. Attendees connected with schools, learned about open positions, and gained valuable insights into the rewarding opportunities within independent schools.

Harvard-Westlake’s Black Leadership Awareness and Culture Club (BLACC) hosted the 5th annual BLACC Out Dance on Saturday, February 22, celebrating Black History Month with a glow-in-the-dark party. Open to all independent school students in grades 9-12, the event brought together students from across the community for a night of music, dancing, and connection. The energy was electric as students lit up the night, celebrating culture, community, and joy.

Harvard-Westlake's Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and Brentwood School's Project Pride collaborated to host a Violet Disco, to celebrate LGBTQIA+ students and allies. The evening was filled with vibrant energy, featuring dancing, games, a fierce lip-sync battle, and a fun photo booth. Students from both communities came together to celebrate pride, friendship, and self-expression in a safe and joyful space. The Violet Disco was ultimately served as a celebration of love, inclusivity, and community.

Black Leadership and Culture Club (BLACC) partnered with Dulan’s to host a special fundraiser supporting the Los Angeles Urban League’s efforts to assist Black families affected by recent fires. During lunch, students gathered on the Quad to enjoy delicious food, baked goods, and music, all while contributing to an important cause. 

Faculty and staff members of the Harvard-Westlake Asian American Culture Club (AACC) gathered to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Everyone gathered to make dumplings to usher in the new year with good fortune. The dumplings, which resemble the shape of silver ingots, symbolize prosperity. Those feeling especially lucky stayed late into the night to play mahjong. On Lunar New Year, the game's "changing winds" and "seasons" represent the changing of the year and the opportunity for good things to come.

Recently, middle school South Asian Student Alliance (SASA) hosted a chai taste test, comparing homemade chai to the Starbucks variety. Chai is a way of life in India. Almost everywhere you go—in trains, at street vendors, in sari shops, in households—you will see people enjoying the sweet, spicy, milky beverage. Chai is not a flavor of tea; it is tea—chai literally translates to "tea" in Hindi. India is not only one of the largest producers of tea in the world, but also one of the biggest consumers of it. Most kids in India has grown up having Parle-G biscuits (which has been around since 1939) with their chai, so SASA leaders made sure everyone had a few to dip in their tea to have a truly authentic experience.  

The Lunar New Year is the oldest and most important holiday in China, and it’s also celebrated in countries like Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The holiday, also known as the Spring Festival, celebrates the arrival of spring and the start of a fresh year based on the lunisolar calendar. Recently, in preparation for the Lunar New Year celebration at the middle school, AACC (Asian American Culture Club) members created traditional paper crafts to welcome the Year of the Snake, 2025. Though the snake may feared across many Western cultures, the animal is actually a revered sign across the Eastern hemisphere. Its year is expected to be one of positive transformation as people "slither" into new beginnings. The snake is an auspicious sign for inner work, shedding the ego, letting go of the past, and letting go of anger and negativity. Happy New Year!