What is the
Harmony Foundation?
Newton’s Foundation for Racial, Ethnic and Religious Harmony, also known as “The Harmony Foundation” was founded under Mayor Theodore D. Mann in 1988.
The Foundation facilitates learning, interaction, understanding and respect across racial, ethnic and religious dimensions within the Newton community, with the purpose of furthering the recognition of our diversity as a continuing and increasing source of community strength.
The Harmony Foundation oversees two significant community-building events annually — a Martin Luther King Day Celebration and theTheodore D. Mann Newton Mayor’s Community Breakfast. Our event-planning and programming partners each year include the Mayor’s Office, Newton Public Schools, The Newton Interfaith Clergy Association, the Village Bank, FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice), Newton’s Human Rights Commission, the Rotary Club of Newton, and the Newton Theatre Company.
TICKETS ON SALE!: 48th Annual Theodore D. Mann Newton Mayor’s Community Breakfast
The 48th Annual Theodore D. Mann Newton Mayor’s Community Breakfast: “Spring Forward - With Hope” will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 7:30a.m. at The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Mount Ida Campus, in the Shaw Hall Courtyard. We are delighted to be in...
Join us Jan. 17, 2022: Newton’s 54th Annual Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Join us for a morning of reflection and music! Hear from our local officials and listen to music by soloist Katani Sumner and NPS choirs in addition to poetry and student monologues. There will be a sermon by Reverend Alicia Johnson. Please note that more...
Spotlight: Recent Partnerships and Grants
An example of some of our recent grants: Newton North High School FORJ and Families and Newton Talks Race: Purchase of 250 copies of "Where Do We Go From Here:Chaos or Community"? (Fall, 2021) Charles E Brown Middle School: Writing as Activism - Advocating for Racial...
Harmony Foundation’s New Advisory Board
Over the course of the summer and at the start of the fall, The Harmony Foundation's Executive Board was fortunate to create an advisory team! Our advisory board will help us with community connection and outreach, publicity, fundraising and grants, programming...
Events from Newton’s “Overdue” Coalition
The Harmony Foundation is a member of Newton's Overdue Coalition addressing the need to talk about race in Newton. Here is a sample of some of the events organized by the Coalition. Tuesday, October 27, 2020, 7:00 pm, Raising Anti-Racist Kids:...