Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Action

On Thursday, May 22, the Special Olympics Unified Club hosted a high-energy Unified Basketball Game in Taper Gym in partnership with The Help Group. HW students and visiting athletes played side-by-side, cheered on by a packed crowd, the Spirit Team, and Dr. Jon Carroll on the mic with play-by-play and player intros. The gym was full of joy, support, and connection—reminding everyone of the power of sport to bring people together. It was a heartwarming moment of inclusion and school spirit that won’t soon be forgotten.

For the final Brown Bag Lunch and Learn of the year, the Women of Color Club (WOC) shared their reflections on their year. Students spoke candidly about their growth over the school year, challenges, and moments of joy, offering faculty and staff a powerful glimpse into their experiences. From Roe v. Bro, video content meant to test their male peer’s knowledge of the female experience to studies of Roxane Gay, the event highlighted the brilliance, compassion, and leadership of young women of color within the Harvard-Westlake community.

On Friday, May 16, Asian Students in Action (ASiA) & Asian Amerincan Culture Club (AACC) community gathered in Ahmanson for a special screening of DiDi, followed by a panel with the film’s star, Izaak Wang. The coming-of-age story follows a Taiwanese-American eighth grader as he navigates identity, culture, and growing up in the early days of YouTube and social media. Izaak, a Critics’ Choice nominee, shared insights on the film’s impact and the importance of authentic Asian American representation. DiDi has been recognized at Sundance, SXSW, and film festivals around the world for its honest and heartfelt storytelling.

On May 13, the Middle School’s SASA and AACC came together to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with their first-ever beverage tasting event. Student leaders kicked things off with a brief intro to the month’s significance and fun facts about each drink. Attendees sampled a variety of iconic Asian beverages, from chai and mango lassi to Sac Sac, Milkis, Ramune, and Calpico. It was a fun, flavorful way to celebrate culture, community, and collaboration.

On Sunday, May 4, the Harvard-Westlake community gathered on the Upper School field for the 3rd annual Heritage Festival with an afternoon filled with incredible food and cultural celebration. With performances, delicious food trucks and an Interactive Cultural Museum, families explored the diverse backgrounds, traditions, and experiences that make up our school community. The festival offered a space to connect, welcome new families, and celebrate the richness of our collective heritage.

The Harvard-Westlake community came together on the Quad for the annual Multicultural Fair, hosted by Student Leaders for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (SLIDE). The event showcased student-led booths featuring food, music, art, and interactive activities, offering a vibrant celebration of the diverse cultures represented across campus. Through shared experiences and storytelling, the fair fostered cultural appreciation and connection, highlighting the importance of inclusion and community at Harvard-Westlake.

To close out National Poetry Month, West Hollywood Poet Laureate Jen Cheng visited the Middle School campus on Tuesday, April 29 in partnership with Amanda Angle’s creative writing class. She first met with members of Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and Asian American Culture Club (AACC) during break, followed by a feng shui poetry workshop during 5th period,and finished by typing original poems for students and faculty on typewriter, offering a personal and creative way to celebrate poetry across the community.

Seven student leaders and ten faculty and staff members from Harvard-Westlake attended the 2025 AsEA Conference in Atlanta, themed "Our Space, Our Stories: Represent, Resist, Reclaim." Students participated in workshops on AAPI identity, intersectionality, microaggressions, activism, and belonging, engaging with peers from across the country in powerful conversations around community and leadership. On the final day, they presented reflections on topics such as the model minority myth, mental health, and social media’s impact on identity and concluded the trip with a visit to the World of Coca-Cola Museum rounding out a meaningful and inspiring experience.