East Mecklenburg is one of the most diverse high schools in North Carolina, ranking third statewide. according to the education research platform Niche. Students at east represent cultures, languages and identities from all over the world. This diversity can be seen not only in classrooms, but in the way students celebrate one another. This diversity can be seen not only inc classrooms, but in the way students celebrate on another. With this kind of diverse representation, today’s students shoulder the responsibility of connecting across differences and embracing others’ experiences.

At East Meck, the Diversity Committee is the heart of inclusion. The Committee organizes events that help to celebrate the growing diversity in the school, one example being Ujamaa. Ujamma– the Swahili word for familyhood– is an annual event that fosters a sense of community and shared cultural understanding among students. There are two parts to the event: the World Bazaar and the Golden Globes.

At the Bazaar, students sample foods from different cultures and get henna tattoos/art. The Golden Globes showcases students’ performances such as culture dances and includes a pageant where students wear clothing that reflects their culture.

French teacher and advisor of Diversity Committee Dawn Young expressed her love of learning from different perspectives.

“I have been the recipient of hospitality, and I feel like that’s something I want to be able to give to people of other cultures here in the United States,” Young said.

East Meck is home to a chapter of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. While its foundation supports African American culture and advocacy, the chapter at East is also committed to celebrating diversity across all cultural backgrounds. This chapter holds an annual talent show as well, which will be held against in 2026.

In addition to this event, March to the Polls is a student-led walk to the nearby library that holds he midterm elections. It has received media coverage and has helped students to be ,ore encouraged and active with voting.

NAACP President Kristy Lowry didn’t always see herself as a leader. ‘At first, it wasn’t an interest. It was more like a push. Ms. Frilot, Mr. WIllis and Ms. Baldwin pushed me to my leadership in me and I went for it,’ Lowry said.

Along with growing into her student leadership, Lowry expresses her newfound knowledge towards East Meck’s diversity and her appreciation for it. “I love it, I feel like that’s pretty simple, but I love East Meck because of the diversity… I’ve heard there’s over 30 languages, and to me, that’s awesome. I love it here,” Lowry said.

Each generation holds a certain responsibility for changing the next generation’s future. Learning more about different perspectives of life allows individuals to better understand the world through human connection and shared experience. “As a language teacher, my job is to help students have the language to tell their stories. And I still think that’s still a very important thing,” Young said. ‘But what’s super important is to listen to other people’s stories.”