Below you’ll find a small sampling of this month’s diversity events. To view all 100+ events and religious observances, see our Diversity Calendar suite.
Summer is hot – and so is diversity and inclusion! Our August 2020 diversity calendar features a variety of cultural diversity and religious events to keep you and your employees aware and inclusive throughout the month. Even simple observances of these celebrations can help expand awareness, inclusion and equality.
8/4 – Black Americans – Barack Obama
We start our August diversity events by wishing a Happy Birthday to the POTUS #44! Barack Obama quickly rose to fame with his Hope campaign during the 2008 presidential election, and was the first Black American elected president. As president, he was champion of LGBT rights and healthcare reform. He left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating. He and former First Lady Michelle Obama now run the Obama Foundation, which aims to inspire, empower, and connect young people to promote change in the world. Help promote equity and inclusion in your workplace with our Online Diversity Training.
8/15- Roman Catholicism: Feast of the Assumption
August multicultural holidays include this feast day. It marks the date that Roman Catholics celebrate the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, being assumed (body and soul) into Heaven. This was the end of her earthly life. It’s not a holy day of obligation within the Catholic Church, meaning mass is not obligatory.
8/20 – Islam: Islamic New Year
Our August multicultural calendar includes Hijri New Year or Arabic New Year. The Hijri is the era used in the Islamic lunar calendar, which was created during the reign of Khalifa Umar ibn al-Khattab. Hijri itself marks the new year, which starts the previous event. This year begins 1440. Discover more holy days with our 2020 Interfaith Calendar.
8/22 – Hinduism: Ganesh Chaturthi
One of the top August diversity celebrations, Hindus celebrate the start of the festival honoring the elephant-headed God. A 10-day festival of the god of prosperity and wisdom, it always begins on the fourth day of the month of Bhadrapada (the sixth month of the Hindu calendar). A worldwide celebration, and you can celebrate it at home. Check out this article for ideas on ways that you can join in.
8/24 – People With Disabilities: Marlee Matlin
Our August diversity topics also celebrate those with disabilities. Born on this day in 1965, Marlee Matlin became deaf at 18 months old, after an illness with high fevers. Matlin is a strong advocate for the rights of deaf people. In 1987, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Children of a Lesser God. To date, she is the only deaf performer to win the award. She is also the youngest winner in the category at the age of 21.
8/25 – Jewish-Americans: Leonard Bernstein
Our August diversity month also includes a Happy Birthday to Leonard Bernstein! As a composer, conductor, and performer, he’s considered one of the “greats” in the music industry. His first big break was conducting the New York Philharmonic in 1943, and he became one of the first American-born conductors to lead world-class orchestras. He was also of Ukrainian-Jewish heritage, and this was reflected in his music.
8/26 – Women’s Equality Day
This August diversity day was created to commemorate the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Today, organizations, workplaces, libraries, and other public places have begun to participate by holding events and programs. Be on the lookout for ways you can take part in your community. At the very least, do something special for a woman in your life today! And help build respect in your workplace with our Online Harassment Prevention Training
Final thoughts
Our August 2020 diversity calendar offers a little something for everyone. Even if one of these events doesn’t apply specifically to a group you’re a part of, you can learn about something new or engage with someone in your life or community. Diversity is a mindset: never stop learning and growing! And get head start on the next month with our September 2020 Diversity Calendar – and the rest of the year with our 2020 Diversity Calendar.