Belmont

Truth, Land, & Legacy: Acknowledgments of Indigenous Sovereignty & American Descendants of Slavery

Tribal Land Acknowledgment for Indigenous Sovereignty and Solidarity: We start by recognizing that we are gathered on the ancestral and unceded lands of the Massachusett people, including the Pequossette band, and particularly those connected to the Nonantum and Mystic villages, whose homelands encompass the area now called Belmont, along the Charles River watershed. The Massachusett have lived in and cared for this region for thousands of years and continue to do so today. We also acknowledge the neighboring Wampanoag, Nipmuc, and Pawtucket nations, who maintain deep and continuing relationships with this region. Please read the full text of the BPS Tribal Land Acknowledgement.

Acknowledgment of the American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS): We recognize the profound legacy of slavery in our region and the lasting impact of the enslaved African people whose labor was exploited for generations. Their contributions were crucial in building the economy of both our region and the United States, primarily through the production of surplus crops and land cultivation (Baptist, 2014). Please read the full text of the BPS Acknowledgment of the American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS).

Please click here to see HBCU Oakwood University's a cappella group Committed perform the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, with music by J. Rosamond Johnson. First performed by schoolchildren in Jacksonville, Florida, the song has long been a source of reflection, resilience, and hope within Black communities.

2026 - 2027 School Year

Hispanic Heritage Month

From the DEIW Office

Welcome to a new school year!

My September message recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) and offers resources for learning, reflection, and action.

More importantly, this month invites us to look beyond recognition and consider our everyday practices:

Whose voices are we centering?
Whose histories are we teaching?
Whose knowledge are we valuing?
And whose voices may still be missing?

I encourage students, educators, staff, and families to engage with the resources and reflections in this month's message—and to consider how we can continue creating learning environments where every person experiences belonging, voice, and opportunity.

Inclusion is not an event. It is a practice.

I encourage you to read the full text of this letter and engage with this month’s message, resources, and call to action.

With appreciation and partnership,

Darnell Thigpen Williams, Ph.D.
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Well-Being (DEIW)
Belmont Public Schools

[Posted 9/1/2026]

You’re Invited! Bridges to Equity Conference: Saturday, November 7, 2026

Bridges to Equity is Belmont Public Schools’ inaugural DEIW conference, bringing together students, educators, families, and community members to connect, learn, and take action. This year’s theme, Fostering Inclusive Learning Communities Through Connection, Reflection, and Action, will be explored through workshops, student-led panels, and keynote presentations.

The conference will bring together educators, students, families, and community members for an engaging and inspiring day featuring:

Keynote Speaker: Maribel Carvajal, Founder of Hispanas Amigas
Interactive workshops led by educators, community leaders, advocates, and students
Opportunities to connect, learn, reflect, and exchange ideas
Resources and strategies focused on belonging, well-being, equity, and inclusion

Whether you are an educator, student, parent/caregiver, community member, or simply someone who believes that every person deserves to feel seen, valued, supported, and empowered to thrive, there is a place for you at Bridges to Equity.

FREE TO ATTEND — REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Space is limited to 300 participants, so register early to reserve your spot.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Belmont Middle High School
Register Today: Bridges to Equity Conference Registration Form or scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot.

[Posted 8/27/2026]

Belmont Public Schools Joins Massachusetts Educator Equity Alliance as a Founding Member

Belmont Public Schools is proud to join the Massachusetts Educator Equity Alliance (MEEA) as a founding member. MEEA is a statewide alliance of districts, schools, and partners committed to building an educator workforce that reflects the students and communities of the Commonwealth from PreK through Grade 12.

Research and lived experience tell the same story: every student benefits from educators who provide both mirrors and windows—mirrors that reflect students’ identities and affirm who they are, and windows into the experiences and perspectives of others. While MEEA’s work aligns with the Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act, this partnership reflects a commitment that goes beyond compliance. Together, the Alliance and its members are working to recruit, retain, and develop diverse educators, while strengthening pathways from the classroom into leadership.

Through MEEA, Belmont Public Schools joins a statewide network of districts, education agencies, higher education institutions, and community partners. Members will have opportunities to participate in statewide convenings, the annual Educator Equity Leadership Conference, a spring Educator Career Fair, and collaborative educator pipeline initiatives.

This partnership grew from conversations and connections among Belmont Public Schools’ Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Well-Being, Dr. Darnell Thigpen Williams, METCO Director Rosa Inniss, and Claire Galloway-Jones, Founder and Executive Director of MEEA.

“Belmont’s membership is a statement about what every student deserves: educators who reflect them, understand them, and stay,” said Claire Galloway-Jones, Founder and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Educator Equity Alliance. “We are proud to count Belmont among our founding class.”