Spring 2025 DEI & B Digest

At Nonotuck, our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) efforts remain rooted in deep listening, continuous learning, and purposeful celebration. This spring, our reflections and initiatives spanned LGBTQIA+ Pride, Asian American heritage, and neurodiversity advocacy.

If you missed any of the events or resources we provided this Spring, read on to watch, learn, and listen!

March: Women’s History Month

Honoring Women’s Voices Through Panel Reflection

In March, Nonotuck celebrated Women’s History Month by hosting a powerful panel discussion featuring voices from across the organization. Panelists shared their personal and professional journeys, challenges faced, and sources of strength. Their insights highlighted the importance of mentorship, solidarity, and honoring women’s diverse leadership styles.

To watch the full panel event, visit Women’s History Month Panel.

April: Autism Acceptance Month

Reframing Autism Beyond Fear

Recent public comments by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. describing autism as an “epidemic” sparked national controversy. In a Nonotuck reflection article, we explored why these remarks are harmful and misleading. Autism is not a tragedy; ignorance is. While acknowledging the real challenges faced by people with autism and caregivers navigating underfunded systems, the piece emphasized that autism is a natural variation of the human experience.

April’s Autism Acceptance Month reminded us that acceptance goes beyond awareness to embrace neurodiversity as a strength, prioritizing dignity, empowerment, and full participation in society. The takeaway: people with autism deserve respect, opportunity, and belonging—not pity or fear-based narratives.

Ethan Lassey’s TED Talk Event

As part of Autism Acceptance Month, Nonotuck’s DEI&B Committee hosted a virtual event featuring Ethan Lassey’s TED Talk, What It’s Really Like to Have Autism. Lassey shared his lived experience, addressing misconceptions such as the idea that autistic people lack empathy. Participants reflected on inclusion practices such as sensory-friendly environments and normalized integration.

Watch the full presentation

May: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

Welcoming Representative Tara Hong

In May, Nonotuck welcomed Massachusetts State Representative Tara Hong for AANHPI Heritage Month. At just 25 years old, Hong made history as the first Cambodian American elected to the Massachusetts Legislature. He shared his journey from rural Cambodia to Lowell, overcoming poverty and language barriers, and spoke about the power of community in his life and leadership.

His message to young people resonated deeply: “Don’t let people put limits on what you can and can’t do… never be afraid to ask questions.” His visit reinforced Nonotuck’s commitment to leadership rooted in lived experience and cultural celebration.

Spotlighting AANHPI-Owned Businesses Across Massachusetts

Nonotuck also highlighted a vibrant range of AANHPI-owned businesses throughout Massachusetts in celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month. From award-winning restaurants and wellness salons to local breweries, dental offices, and community-focused services, these businesses represent the creativity, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the AANHPI community.

The curated list encourages staff and community members to explore new places, support local, and celebrate cultural contributions throughout the year. To read the full article, visit Nonotuck’s AANHPI Heritage Month feature.

June: Pride Month

Supporting LGBTQIA+ Businesses

June is Pride Month, and Nonotuck celebrated by sharing a comprehensive directory of LGBTQIA+-owned businesses across Massachusetts. Compiled from sources such as the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Pink Friday in Provincetown, the list spotlights businesses from Western MA to Boston, including bookstores, restaurants, wellness services, and design firms.

Nonotuck Hosts Pride Month Presentation Centering LGBTQIA+ Community Mental Health

Nonotuck was honored to host Ella Harris, Community Health Project Coordinator at the Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA), as part of our Pride Month celebration. Harris, a public health professional and creator of the “Pride Playbook,” shared insights on supporting LGBTQIA+ mental health and community building not only during Pride Month but year-round..

Her presentation outlined practical, low-cost interventions piloted through the Pride Playbook, such as resource scavenger hunts, community-building bingo, and pen pal programs connecting younger and older LGBTQIA+ community members. Harris stressed that small gestures, like local businesses displaying Pride flags and offering affirming spaces, can significantly impact mental health outcomes. She closed by encouraging organizations like Nonotuck to continue creating inclusive spaces and programming that center LGBTQIA+ voices, saying, “People are lonely, and people need people.

Looking Ahead

As we move into summer, may these reflections fuel our work to ensure that every person served, employed, and partnered with Nonotuck feels seen, valued, and celebrated for their whole selves. In the coming months, we look forward to celebrating Disability Pride Month in July and Civility Month in August.

For questions about the DEI & B Committee—or to find out how to join—please reach out to Joshua Murray at murray@nonotuck.com.