Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee, Westford

07/30/2026

🌍 Celebrate the World Right Here in Westford! 🌍

Join us for Westford’s 6th Annual International Block Party & Diversity Festival on Tuesday, August 25, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on the Abbot School Lawn as part of the Roudenbush Community Market. This afternoon of fun is the final market of the season so it's sure to be a great finale!

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of:
🌎 Cultural performances
🎶 Music and entertainment
🍽️ Delicious food
🎨 Hands-on activities for kids
🛍️ Community vendors and market shopping
🐼 Find Manda Panda and win a prize!

The International Block Party is a joyful celebration of the many cultures, traditions, and people who make Westford such a vibrant community. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet neighbors, experience traditions from around the world, and enjoy an afternoon of learning, connection, and fun.

Whether you’re stopping by for a few minutes or spending the afternoon, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the diversity that strengthens our community.

📅 Tuesday, August 25
🕒 3:00-7:00 p.m.
📍 Abbot School Lawn, Westford

Free and open to everyone!

07/17/2026

🎉🇮🇳 Westford’s 6th Annual India Independence Day Flag Raising & Celebration is almost here! 🇮🇳🎉

Join us on Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at the Westford Town Common for a vibrant event filled with history, culture, and celebration! Hosted by the India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) with support from the Westford DEI Committee, this is a wonderful opportunity to honor India’s independence and showcase its rich traditions through dance and community spirit.
Come be part of the festivities—mark your calendars and bring your friends and family!

🌟 More info: https://bit.ly/IndiaFlagRaiseWestford2026 🌟
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Come join us in celebrating India Independence Day with a flag raising and festive celebration in the Town of Westford!

06/29/2026

What a wonderful day!
Acton-Westford Pride 2026 was a tremendous success as hundreds of community members came together to celebrate, connect, and support one another on a beautiful summer day.

The Westford DEI Committee is proud to continue its backing of Acton-Westford Pride through its partnership with Westford LGBTQ+ Allies & Friends. We are grateful to the volunteers, organizers, performers, vendors, sponsors, and attendees who made this year's celebration such a meaningful success.

More than 35 community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and vendors filled the festival with resources, activities, and conversation, enjoying steady foot traffic throughout the afternoon. Families, friends, neighbors, and allies gathered in a welcoming, joyful, and safe space where everyone was invited to simply be themselves.

This year marked Acton's fourth Pride celebration and Westford LGBTQ+ Allies & Friends' third year partnering together as Acton-Westford Pride. It has been inspiring to watch this event continue to grow into a tradition that reflects the values of our two communities.

The afternoon was officially opened by State Senator Jamie Eldridge, followed by welcoming remarks from Acton organizer Maura Haberman and Westford organizers Wendy Gloyd and Kat Burgner. Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed great conversations, community connections, and fantastic live music from The Femmes, whose performance kept the celebration lively from start to finish.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Acton-Westford Pride another wonderful celebration of belonging, visibility, and community. We look forward to watching this tradition continue to grow for years to come.

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J8kSWBZFo/

05/26/2026

Join us for Westford’s 3rd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration on Friday, June 19 as our community comes together for an evening of reflection, history, and shared voices.

The evening will begin with a Juneteenth Flag Raising on the Westford Town Common at 6:00 PM, followed by refreshments and a powerful community reading of Frederick Douglass’ historic 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” at First Parish Church United.

This year’s program will also feature historical context provided by Dr. Robert Forrant of UMass Lowell and a community reflection and discussion following the reading.

One of the most meaningful parts of this event is that the speech is shared by many voices from across the community. You do not need to be a professional speaker to participate. The goal is not perfection, but presence, reflection, and community connection as we engage together with words that continue to challenge and inspire more than 170 years later.

🗓 Friday, June 19, 2026
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Westford Town Common & First Parish Church United
48 Main Street, Westford

This event is free and open to the public.

Presented by the Westford Historical Society & Museum and the Westford DEI Committee. Made possible in part through a grant from Mass Humanities.

More information and registration:
https://bit.ly/WestfordJuneteenth2026

05/26/2026

Have you checked out the Westford DEI Committee’s Inclusive Conversations podcast series yet?

Over the past few years, we’ve recorded more than 25 conversations with community members, school leaders, legislators, advocates, and neighbors exploring topics that impact all of us — from neurodiversity and cultural traditions to LGBTQ+ visibility, Holocaust remembrance, generational diversity, accessibility, belonging, and more.
Our goal is simple: to create space for learning, understanding, respectful dialogue, and community connection.

Whether you listen to one episode or many, we hope you’ll find something that helps you better understand the experiences and perspectives of others in our community.

🎧 Listen anytime on Westford CAT and YouTube.
https://bit.ly/WestfordDEIPodcastPlaylist
📱 Copy the link above or scan the QR code in the attached flyer to explore the series.

Real conversations. Stronger community.

04/22/2026

Please join the Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley and the Westford community for our Annual Armenian Flag Raising.

Together, we honor the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were systematically killed by the Ottoman Empire beginning in 1915. This gathering offers a moment for remembrance, reflection, and shared commitment to acknowledging history and fostering understanding.

📅 Friday, April 24, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM
📍 Westford Town Common

Accessibility Note:
The ceremony is brief (approximately 15 minutes). Seating is not provided, so guests are welcome to bring a chair if helpful. During the ceremony, attendees will be asked to stand if they are able.

04/17/2026

🌷 Hope Blooms Here – Join Us! 🌷

The Westford DEI Committee is once again looking forward to being part of this year’s “Hope Blooms Here” Mental Health Awareness Kickoff and we’d love to see you there!

📅 April 28, 2026
🕠 5:30 – 7:00 PM
📍 Courtyard next to Town Hall

This meaningful community event brings people together to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and support mental health through connection, conversation, and shared experiences.

Stop by the DEI table to say hello, learn more about our work, and connect with resources and neighbors. The evening will also include speakers, music, activities, and (a community favorite!) ice cream. 🍦

We’re grateful to be part of an event that centers care, inclusion, and community well-being. Hope to see you there!

04/15/2026

The Westford Community is encouraged to join Chelmsford and other surrounding towns in celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Chelmsford’s very first Rice Festival! 🌾 The event is Thurs., May 14 from 5-7:30pm at McCarthy Middle School Cafe in Chelmsford.

Rice is a staple food across cultures around the world—and this event is a chance to come together, share traditions, and celebrate the diversity that makes our community stronger.

🍚 We invite you to bring a favorite rice dish from any culture to share as part of our international potluck. Whether it’s a family recipe or a beloved dish, your contribution helps tell a story and adds to the richness of the evening.

The celebration will also feature traditional Khmer music, dancing, games & family-friendly activities.

🌍 Interested in sharing more? You can also sign up to host a cultural activity or sell cultural merchandise (small $50 donation fee supports the event). Simply visit https://bit.ly/ChelmsfordRiceFestival or scan the QR code in the flyer to sign up for the potluck or vendor opportunities.

This is our first year—and we hope it becomes a meaningful annual tradition for Chelmsford and neighboring communities.

Let’s gather, share, and celebrate together.

Hosted by the Chelmsford DEI Committee with support from the Chelmsford Cultural Council, the Mass Cultural Council, and the McCarthy School Alliance Club.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2831842563831801?active_tab=about

03/27/2026

Westford Black & LatinX club presents new event called "Ritmos Unidos" happening tonight (March 27) at Westford Academy from 6-8pm.
Admission is $10 at the door.
Students from surrounding towns have been widely invited to join - Chelmsford, Groton, and Lowell specifically. This will be an event where students can celebrate Latin and African-American culture over food, music, and activities.

There is a signup form or students are welcome to show up at the door: https://bit.ly/RitmosUnidos2026

03/12/2026

Please join our friends at the Chelmsford DEI Committee in collaboration with local organizations in attending their annual Transgender Day of Visibility Panel Discussion

If you've ever had questions about how to support or relate to a friend of family member who has come out as transgender or nonbinary, this is the perfect event to bring your curiosity and questions.

Event is Sunday, March 29 - from 2-4 PM at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts,
1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA