As a DEIJ practitioner and advocate, you know that inclusivity means considering and recognizing the ways in which our communities are diverse, through differences in race, religion, cutlure, sexual orientation, gender, age, differing abilities, and so much more.
Many organizations choose to build a culture of inclusivity and belonging by recognizing the rich diversity found within their employees, clients, and customers. In our DAIP community, we often talk about avoiding performative acknowledgement of diversity within your organization or community. Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, for instance, should be about more than sampling foods from various Hispanic cultures between September 15th and October 15th. Instead, organizations should strive to create calls to action which work towards real, systemic impacts. This work should also extend beyond the date of commemoration to take place intentionally year-round.
Here are categories of holidays that you might choose to recognize within your organization:
- Religious or cultural holidays and observances;
- Birthdays or holidays related to famous trailblazers and activists that have a connection to your community;
- International days and weeks recognized by the United Nations, which raise public awareness and celebrate achievements of humanity.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are facing challenges or roadblocks in creating inclusivity within your workplace. DAIP also hosts quarterly Unfiltered Coffee Chats which operate like virtual office hours–an opportunity for attendees to connect and share challenges and successes related to DEIJ with other members of the DAIP community.
Here is a list of holidays and observances to consider recognizing for the remainder of 2022 and the first two months of 2023.
December
Las Posadas, Dec. 16 – 24, Learn more
International Migrants Day (U.N.), Dec. 18, Learn more
Hannukah (Jewish), Dec. 18 – 26, Learn more
International Human Solidarity Day, Dec. 20, Learn more
Yule Winter Solstice (Pagan, Wiccan), Dec. 21 – Jan. 1, Learn more
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 & Christmas (Christian), Dec. 25, Learn more
Kwanzaa (Black American), Dec. 26 – Jan. 1, Learn more
January
Poverty in America Awareness Month, Learn more
World Braille Day – Jan. 4, Learn more
Christmas (Eastern Orthodox) – Jan. 7, Learn more
Mahayana New Year (Buddhist) – Jan. 7, Learn more
Makar Sankranti (Hindu) – Jan. 15, Learn more
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (U.S.A.) – Jan. 16, Learn more
Chinese New Year – Jan. 22, Learn more
World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture (UNESCO) – Jan. 24, Learn more
International Day of Education (United Nations) – Jan. 24, Learn more
International Holocaust Remembrance Day – Jan. 27, Learn more
February
Black History Month (2023 theme: Black Resistance), Learn more
National Freedom Day – Feb. 1, Learn more
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – Feb. 7, Learn more
Nirvana Day, also known as Parinirvana Day (Buddhist) – Feb. 15, Learn more
World Day of Social Justice – Feb. 20, Learn more
Ash Wednesday (Christian) – Feb. 22, Learn more
