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The Sudbury Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission has released its 2024–2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of advocacy, collaboration, and renewed focus on the Town’s inclusion priorities. The commission presented to the Select Board on September 30. (35:00)
The volunteer body, established in 2020, described its efforts to make Sudbury a place where “every member of our community feels valued, respected, and heard.” This year, the Commission worked to elevate issues directly affecting residents, which included advocating for recognition of holidays like Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Eid in local school calendars, and issuing public statements in support of Sudbury’s Indian community following incidents of theft and bias.
The report also cites partnerships with the Sudbury and Wayland Police Departments, Wayland’s Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and District Attorney Marian Ryan for a fall forum on hate crimes and community safety.
Commissioners also participated in town events such as Family Pride Day and Eid celebrations.
The commissioner candidly shared that it also faced challenges, including member turnover and limited capacity to carry out long-term initiatives. The meeting with the Select Board on September 30 highlighted some of the challenges of doing DEI work in a municipal government setting. Earlier in the year, a consultant, Dr. Raul Fernandez, recommended that the Commission focus on two to three strategic goals per year, strengthen partnerships with other town bodies, and establish clear accountability metrics.
Looking ahead, the DEI Commission plans to re-engage advisory members from schools, police, and clergy, enhance communication with the Select Board, and host new community dialogues in the coming year.
“We remain committed to building a more inclusive Sudbury,” the report concludes, “and with strong partnerships, we can expand our impact and ensure that all residents feel they belong.”
The annual report is embedded below. For more information on the November 10 event on hate crimes, please visit here.
