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.

DEI in Action

BGM Brunch

September 29, 2024

BGM Brunch

September 29, 2024

The Black Girl Magic Brunch brought together students and faculty/staff in a celebration of identity and community at Harvard-Westlake. Led by Ms. Janine Jones, the event provided a space for Black girls from both the middle and upper schools to connect, share their experiences, and explore their sense of belonging at HW. The brunch featured interactive activities, meaningful discussions, and opportunities for students to ask questions about navigating academic and social challenges. Recent alums Haley and Halsey joined the conversation, offering advice and support from their own experiences as Black women at HW. Overall, the event cultivated a sense of unity, reaffirming the importance of creating spaces where all students feel seen, valued, and supported.

Show Her The Money Documentary Screening & Panel

September 26, 2024

Show Her The Money Documentary Screening & Panel

September 26, 2024

Harvard-Westlake students, in collaboration with HW Venture, hosted a special screening of the documentary Show Her the Money at the Upper School. The film highlights the stories of female entrepreneurs and the unique challenges they face within the business and venture capital worlds. As the first high school to showcase this documentary, which is currently only available at private screenings, students led a panel discussion featuring prominent figures from the film, including Producer Catherine Gray, Director Ky Dickens, Executive Producer Diana Greshtchulk, General Partner of Emmeline Ventures La Keisha Landrum Pierre, and Associate Producer Julie Peterson Klein. Proceeds from snacks sold during the event were donated to Alexandria House, an organization dedicated to providing safe housing for women and children experiencing homelessness. The event was open to all members of the HW community and served as a platform to engage with and support women’s voices in business and entrepreneurship.

Author Lilliam Rivera Visits Harvard-Westlake

September 24, 2024

Author Lilliam Rivera Visits Harvard-Westlake

September 24, 2024

Author Lilliam Rivera visited the middle school for an assembly talking about her books that focus on life from a Latinx perspective as well as her process and the discipline it takes to be a writer. After the whole middle school assembly, she spent time with student members of the Latin American Heritage Student Organization (LAHSO). Ms Rivera also visited an 8th grade English class as many students are familiar with her book Dealing in Dreams. We are honored to have been able to continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in this special way.

Activities Fair

September 24, 2024

Activities Fair

September 24, 2024

Harvard-Westlake's annual Activities Fair took place with over 100 student organizations represented. Students had the chance to explore a wide range of co-curricular interests as well as the opportunity to discover new clubs, connect with peers, and get involved in campus life.

Student Affinity Group Leader Mandatory Training

September 22, 2024

Student Affinity Group Leader Mandatory Training

September 22, 2024

This year’s student affinity group leaders and adult advisors met on Sunday September 22nd to join in community to strategically plan the 24-25 school year. Almost 100 students came together clarify their identity, build thier budgets, and plan upcoming activities for thier group.

Hate Speech Assembly

Sep 11, 2024

Hate Speech Assembly

Sep 11, 2024

Upper School students gathered in the gym for an assembly about hate. The grade-level gathering began with an acknowledgement of lives lost on September 11th 2001 and a screening student-made documentary called “Are We American?” about how the Sikh-American community faced racial profiling after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, curated and introduced by US DEI Coordinator Reb Limerick. Assistant Head of School for Community and Belonging Janine Jones then gave a presentation about how Hate Speech shows up in school communities, and gave specific examples of how Antisemitism, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian hate and many other forms of identity-based hate have grown in Los Angeles and Nationally. Mrs. Jones made it clear that Hate Speech will not be tolerated in our HW community, asking us all to ride together on the ‘road to belonging.’ SLIDE Co-Chairs and Prefects ended the assembly with a reminder of our Community Concern Reporter process as a tool for students seeking adult support in instances of peer-to-peer hate or bias.

BLACC Retreat

Aug 25, 2024

BLACC Retreat

Aug 25, 2024

Harvard-Westlake’s Black Leadership Awareness and Culture Club kicked off the year with their annual retreat at the Middle school, inviting all Black students -new and returning- to gather for the day. Parents also had a special programming session to fellowship in their inaugural Parents of BLACC Students Symposium. Following a morning filled with activities, lunch, and mentorship, the students traveled to The Broad Museum to see Mickalene Thomas's special exhibit, All About Love.

SLIDE Presentation at Sophomore Orientation

Aug 23, 2024

SLIDE Presentation at Sophomore Orientation

Aug 23, 2024

SLIDE Co-Chairs (Tiffany Armour ‘25, Clara Berg ‘25, Nikki Dadlani ‘25, Lauren Park ‘25, Dylan Wuo ‘25) and Advisor Mx. Limerick welcomed sophomore students to the Upper School campus at the start of the school year. Sophomores were introduced to our many Student Affinity Groups and given opportunities to discuss aspects of their own identities in pairs. A few brave 10th graders shared out in front of their whole grade about how their identity impacts their life at school and which affinity groups they look forward to joining this year!

Signature Events

Southern California Diversity Recruiting Fair 2025

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

Harvard-Westlake Middle School Campus

Pollyanna Conference 2024

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