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Why Not Google Diversity Calendar?

“Why Don’t We Just Google Diversity Calendar?”

We recently had a follow-up meeting with a major company in the healthcare industry. Our contact, who is eager to subscribe, told us management questioned the need for our subscription Diversity Calendar. “Why don’t we just Google it?, they asked.

Great question. Google is a fantastic product, but here’s why relying on Google for your inclusive scheduling is a bad idea.

1) What will you Google? First, you need to know what to Google. How will your team know – for example – that Eid al-Fitr is important, and when to Google it? We’re the world’s leading Diversity Calendar experts: we collate nearly 2,000 different events, and then create a custom calendar for you.

2) Fact Errors, Wrong Dates and more – Let’s say you Google “Diversity Calendar.” Google is a great product, but free blog posts are not, and you get what you pay for. Recently I Googled the event below. The date is wrong (it’s September 22, not August). Bloggers tend to plagiarize each other, so when one free blog post has the wrong date, so do others. If your senior management doesn’t mind embarrassing themselves with your female employees, this free blog post will do fine. This free website also had all the dates for the Easter cycle wrong; Easter happens to be the most important event in the world’s #1 religion.

3) What Do You Say? Let’s say you find out the correct date for say, Yom Kippur. Now what? What is Yom Kippur? And what will you say to your Jewish colleagues or customers? Here’s a hint: don’t say happy Yom Kippur, unless you wish to embarrass yourself and your associates.

4. And More Fact Errors – Another website is very popular and ranks well, sometimes #1 in Google. Yet it’s full of mistakes. Below you’ll see the same event, listed two different ways, on two different dates, and both dates are wrong.

Apparently this expert blogger – and #1 Google hit – does not realize that Muslim and Islamic are the same thing, and has no clue that Hijri is the Muslim lunar calendar system. Islam is the world’s 2nd largest religion. If your senior leadership doesn’t mind wishing Muslims a Happy New Year roughly 11 or 21 days late (or both!), there’s no need for our product.

Conclusion

Amazon recently subscribed to our Diversity Calendar for all 1.5 million employees. Their subscription cost is high, much higher than yours. They could easily afford to hire an entire department to do this work. But they rely on us, because we are the world’s #1 experts on this topic.

If your leadership team has an abundance of time, they know what to Google, can afford spending all day Googling various diversity events, and don’t mind getting dates/facts/greetings wrong, great. You’ll save some money, perhaps equal to the cost of typical business lunch for your leadership. #Winning.

But if  your leadership team has higher priority work, and is interested in accuracy and saying the right thing at the right time, to people of different religion and cultures, we’re here to help. Enjoy a free trial of our Diversity Calendar suite.

May Diversity Calendar 2023

Below you’ll find a small sampling of our April diversity calendar events – to see all 100+ events this year, see our interactive online DEI Calendar.

May has arrived! Spring is in full swing, and flowers are blooming. And as a symbol of rebirth, spring is the first time to sow new seeds in your diversity and inclusion efforts. Our May Diversity Calendar 2023 will help ensure your celebrate diverse holidays, rather than just the summer mainstream events.

Mental Health Awareness Month

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month. The observance raises awareness for this May diversity topic, and those those living with mental and behavioral issues. So during May, support those those who live with mental health challenges, as well as their families and loved ones. They are also affected by mental illnesses. Some great ways to support others with mental health difficulties include staying calm, being patient, avoid judgment, and maintaining social contact.

Discover more Healthcare Calendar 2023

Older Americans Month

In 1963, Older Americans Month was established. This May diversity month celebrates Americans over 65 and how they contribute to society in the U.S. When it was founded, only 17 million Americans had reached their 65th birthday, and about a third of those people lived in poverty. Acknowledging their contributions and creating programs to meet their needs is critical to ensuring everyone is cared for.

Jewish American Heritage Month

This May heritage month honors American Jews and their contributions to the United States. If you’ve never celebrated Jewish American Heritage Month before, consider participating by visiting a Jewish museum or a site of historical interest, making a Jewish recipe, or listening to a Jewish podcast.

Keep up to date with more religious observances with our 2023 Interfaith Calendar 

Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month

In 1990, the U.S. government established Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month. This May diversity holiday seeks to recognize the achievements and contributions of these individuals. We recommend celebrating AAPI Heritage Month by watching a documentary about Asian American History or buying books from AAPI-owned bookstores.

May 5: Cinco de Mayo

Some think of Cinco de Mayo as the day to eat tacos and drink margaritas, but this May multicultural holiday has real significance for Mexican Americans. It celebrates Mexico’s defeat of the French Army. Read the real story and support a Mexican business in your community as a way to celebrate.

May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

May diversity days include this event, which aims to raise awareness for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, and incidents of LGBTQ+ rights violations. May 17 was chosen because it was the date that the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases. Celebrate this day by raising awareness and fostering inclusiveness with our online LGBT Training in the Workplace

May 19: Malcolm X’s Birthday

May diversity events include a Happy Birthday to Malcolm X! The Muslim minister and civil rights activist was assassinated in 1965. Spend today remembering his famous words, “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything,” and reflect on how you can incorporate this sentiment into your life.

May 26: Buddha’s Birthday

Happy Birthday to the founder of one of the world’s most practiced faiths! The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama. This May diversity celebration is also called Buddha Jayanti. It’s the day of his enlightenment and a celebrated Buddhist festival in most of East Asia and South Asia.

Final Thoughts

Did you know that there’s science behind having something to look forward to? You can make your workplace more engaging with regular celebrations. Help your employees discover celebrations outside their culture and give them something new to anticipate. This is also a stellar way to raise awareness for new causes.

That wraps up our May Diversity Calendar! Get a head start on next month with our June 2023 Diversity Calendar. Remaining up to date will enrich your life and help you be a lifelong learner.

For more diversity topics, see our 2023 Diversity Calendar.

March Diversity Calendar 2023

Below you’ll find a small sampling of our March diversity calendar events – to see all 100+ events this year, see our interactive online DEI Calendar.

This is the month that spring rolls in, and as you (hopefully) welcome warmer weather, you can welcome more inclusion into your workplace. A great way to do this is by adding a few new diversity days to your workplace calendar. March celebrates everything from women to religious traditions to the elimination of racial discrimination. Here’s how you can celebrate.

Women’s History Month

Happy Women’s History Month! This month honors the role that women like Dorothea Dix, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Cooke Wright, Mary Tape and so many others have played in American history. Consider hosting an event at your workplace to celebrate women. You could invite female business leaders or nonprofit founder to speak as well.

March 8: International Women’s Day

This is another stellar opportunity to celebrate the women in your workplace. This day specifically highlights the political, cultural and economic achievements of women. To celebrate, you can do something as simple such as reaching out to a woman who has inspired you at work. A nice note letting a mentor, teacher or family member know about their impact can be so powerful.

March 8: Holi

Known as the “Festival of Colors,” this Hindu holiday celebrates the winter harvest and the onset of spring. Weather permitting, consider hosting your friends and family in your backyard or driveway with brightly colored decorations. Hindu families will often get colored powders to throw and smear on their faces during the festivities.

Keep up to date with other religious observances with our 2023 Interfaith calendar 

March 10: Harriet Tubman’s Birthday

Happy Birthday, Harriet! As an American abolitionist, she’s known for saving a reported 70 people through the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a network of African American and white people who offered shelter and aid to escaped slaves from the South. Download or borrow a library book to read more about her life.

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day

While St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world, it’s primarily a celebration of the saint who brought Christianity to Ireland. Consider toasting a pint of Guinness or making a traditional Irish recipe to enjoy this holiday!

March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

This day commemorates the date in 1960 that police opened fire on and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against “pass laws” in Sharpeville, South Africa. The day aims to convey a simple message — using your voice can be a powerful vehicle against racism. Your employees can honor this day by reflecting on biases in your workplace, and considering where they may have originated.

Looking for Diversity Training in the Workplace? Discover more with our D&I training suite

March 22 to April 21: Ramadan

Ramadan — an annual observance for Muslims worldwide — falls in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this time, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from dawn until dusk. If you’re not Muslim, but you want to see what Ramadan is like, you can try abstaining from eating from dawn until dusk and break the fast with an evening meal called iftar.

Final Thoughts

That concludes the diversity events for the month of March. Becoming more aware of the cultural and religious dates that others are celebrating will create a more aware and inclusive workplace.

Get a head start on next month with our April Diversity Calendar. Or enjoy the rest of the year with our 2023 Diversity Calendar.

Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace

In 2018, Starbucks made headlines when it closed its stores for all employees to attend unconscious bias training. The training came after an incident in a Philadelphia Starbucks, in which two young Black entrepreneurs had the police called on them and were led out in handcuffs less than 10 minutes after they arrived.

Their “crime”? They had been waiting for a business meeting to begin and had not yet ordered anything.

“Starbucks is a microcosm of what’s happening in the United States, said Jen Randle, a consultant who helped coordinate the trainings. “We all have bias. It doesn’t matter your race or ethnicity.”

With Starbucks a microcosm of society, this type of incident could happen in your workplace. Let’s explore how diversity training in the workplace (when properly implemented) can truly benefit all.

Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace

  1. Diversity Provides Fresh Perspectives

Not all people think or view the world alike. Hiring people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and religions opens the door for fresh perspectives. Thus diversity offers your company benefits such as increased problem solving.

Some managers struggle with the idea of hiring different types of people and personalities. It can be awkward to introduce diverse opinions. But research has demonstrated that more diverse teams have a 60 percent improvement in decision-making abilities.

  1. Improved Recruitment and Retention

A company seeking diverse candidates has access to a wider talent pool. As you reflect on your hiring process, you may find you’re biased against certain employee traits, but this might weed out some valuable candidates. Embrace diversity in background, thought, ethnicity, culture, nationality, etc. to hire the very best talent.

Furthermore, having a diverse workforce can improve your retention rate. Most employees and job seekers desire a diverse workforce and take this into account when evaluating companies and their job offers. Companies that emphasize diversity are more likely to attract and keep the best talent.

  1. Diversity Increases Profit

Businesses must make a profit. The good news is that focusing on diversity – and enhancing it in your workplace – will improve your profitability. A report by McKinsey found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35 percent more likely to have above-average profits. Another study by BCG found that increasing the diversity of the leadership teams leads to improved financial performance. These findings demonstrate just how important it is to prioritize your staff. You handle your staff, and they’ll handle the work.

Final Thoughts

Diversity is a fact, inclusion is an act. To benefit from diversity, you must create inclusion. “Diversity and inclusion” work in tandem. Diversity is essential for all the benefits above, but without inclusion, there can be a diversity backlash. So focus and D&I to enjoy the full benefits of inclusion in the workplace.

Respectful scheduling is an essential component of inclusion and belonging. For tips, see our 2023 Diversity Calendar, as well as our 2023 Interfaith Calendar.

Black Lives Matter: How D&I Has – and Hasn’t – Changed

George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, resulting in an immense response worldwide. In the U.S., citizens took to the streets and expressed anger through protests, giving birth to the Black Lives Matter movement.

During this period, many businesses made public statements against racism and injustice. Many companies voiced a desired to boost support for diversity, equity, and inclusion in response to the movement.

Today we’re nearly 2.5 years out from Floyd’s death, and we’ll highlight how DEI has and hasn’t changed.

Workplace DEI: Sustainable or Performative?

In the wake of Black Lives Matter, companies sought to illustrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion. They did this by, for example, promising the following:

  • Making hiring practices more equitable
  • Selecting vendors that support D&I
  • Financial commitments ($50 billion overall)

Unfortunately, some of these promises were not sincere. Companies like Wells Fargo and the NFL have been accused of conducting sham interviews of candidates with diverse backgrounds, after positions were already filled. In other words, they never intended to hire these candidates; they simply held them to meet their stated diversity objectives.

Furthermore, although U.S. companies pledged $50 billion toward racial equity, only $250 million has been spent toward that specific initiative, according to the firm Creative Investment Research.

Make DEI Mission-Critical, Not Peripheral

DEI training in the workplace is often treated as a task to be done when there’s additional time. One way to ingrain DEI into your organization’s genetic code, is by hiring or expanding your DEI leadership. Job roles such as Chief Diversity Officer, with a dedicated team, will help ensure that DEI is core work, rather than elective.

Another way to do this is by including a DEI section in performance evaluations. When you tie DEI work to rewards (i.e., pay, promotion, bonuses), it becomes central to people’s daily jobs rather than an afterthought.

Make DEI Real

Performance activism is dangerous. It’s unhelpful at best, and at worst, it’s detrimental. It makes social justice trendy while simultaneously killing the movement of actual social progress. Companies must do more than send an email, schedule an extra interview for a candidate they won’t hire, or pledge funds they won’t spend.

This leads employees to believe that their employer is doing more than they actually are. For employees that choose to work for companies in part because of their alleged DEI initiatives, this can not only be incredibly disappointing but unfair.

Focus on Behavior-Based DEI Training

The DEI efforts in your workplace cannot simply be geared toward increasing awareness or changing attitudes. For it to be effective, training must be behavior-based so that employees (managers included) can see appropriate behaviors modeled and learn how to conduct themselves properly in the workplace.

Final Thoughts

Activism takes time and change requires effort. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it often requires an overhaul of what’s always been done. The racial justice movement ignited in 2020 shouldn’t be a passing trend; it’s worthy of being ingrained in our society and business forevermore.

December 2022 Diversity Calendar

Below you’ll find a small sampling of our December diversity events – to see all 100+ events this year, see our interactive online DEI Calendar

December is here! It’s a long-awaited month by many because it signals upcoming time off. However, make sure you switch up the office decorations from the typical “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” signs. There are several other diversity days you can celebrate.

December 1: World AIDS Day

This day helps raise awareness for HIV/AIDs. Hold a fundraiser in your office to help fight the HIV epidemic and raise money to find a cure. You can also pass out red ribbons. These are the universal symbol of support for those living with HIV/AIDs. And ensure your employees are sensitive and respectful by exploring the 5 types of diversity training in the workplace.

December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

All people, regardless of ability, deserve to be treated with dignity and given rights. The United Nations created the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 1992 to help people with disabilities participate without any barriers. Spend this day evaluating your workplace. Is it truly accessible to all? Ask your staff and see if they have any feedback they can provide on the topic!

December 10: International Human Rights Day (United Nations)

The UN established International Human Rights Day in 1948 following World War II. It uses the United States’ Bill of Rights as a model. To observe this December diversity day, you can read the full Universal Declaration of Human Rights online.

December 16 to December 24: Las Posadas

The religious festival of Las Posadas is primarily celebrated in Latin American countries, Mexico, and Spain. Some Hispanics in the United States also celebrate this festival. The festival is a reenactment of Mary and Joseph traveling to various homes in the community that are designated as “inns.” After the reenactment, there is a celebration.

December 18 to December 26: Hanukkah

This is an 8-day, 8-night celebration in the Jewish faith honoring the triumph of their ancestors over the Syrian Greeks. To see the “Festival of Lights” observed, ask to join in a night of celebrations with a Jewish friend’s family.

Discover more interfaith events with our list of key religious holidays 2023

December 21: Winter Solstice/Yule

The Winter Solstice is known as Yule to those practicing the Pagan and Wiccan faiths. The day marks the longest night of the year and the return of the sun. You can celebrate Yule by lighting a Yule log, making an evergreen wreath, having a nature-based treat, and decluttering your space.

December 25: Christmas

This is one of the most important Christian holidays that celebrates the birth of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is also of cultural importance to those who do not actively practice the Christian faith.

December 26: Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an 8-day celebration of life that is inspired by the African harvest celebrations. The holiday was created by an American professor of African studies, activist, and author, Maulana Karenga. It has been celebrated since the 1960s.

Final Thoughts

As the year comes to an end, try to celebrate two or three new holidays in addition to the ones typical to your household. This can encourage learning about other backgrounds and open your mind to other cultures. Who knows — these diversity days may become part of your yearly traditions

Which diversity days do you want to learn more about next year? Get a head start on next year with our Diversity and Calendar 2023

November 2022 Diversity Calendar

Below you’ll find a small sampling of our November diversity events – to see all 100+ events this year, see our interactive online DEI Calendar

Respectful scheduling and inclusion opportunities are an essential part of diversity training in the workplace. This November Multicultural Calendar can help you increase your knowledge about holidays celebrated by diverse people. Here are some you should consider including on the company’s calendar.

Native American Heritage Month

As Thanksgiving approaches, this is a fitting November diversity celebration. Native American Heritage Month celebrates the culture and heritage of native people who enrich this country. You can make this month more personal to your region by researching native tribes living near you, and exploring their rich culture.

Movember

Every November, a fundraiser is held to raise awareness for men’s health issues. These include prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. Consider holding a fundraiser in your office and celebrating the department that raises the most money.

November 1 – 2: All Saints Day/All Souls Day/Día de los Muertos

This is a Christian holiday commemorating all people who have passed. It is often celebrated in the Mexican and Aztec communities. Have a traditional Dia de los Muertos lunch in the office with chicken tamales, candied pumpkin, Oaxacan hot chocolate, and day of the dead cookies. If appropriate, employees can share about a loved one they’re thinking about on the day.

Explore more religious observances with our Interfaith Calendar 2023

November 16: International Day for Tolerance

The UN founded this day to promote respect for diverse languages, ethnicities, cultures and religions. Education is a key component of tolerance. Acknowledge this day and send out a short sheet reviewing unconscious biases to help inform your staff. And foster greater tolerance and inclusion at work with online diversity and inclusion training.

November 16: Dutch American Heritage Day

Did you know the Netherlands was one of the first countries to recognize the U.S. as sovereign from Great Britain? This November multicultural celebration honors the friendship between the countries for hundreds of years. Presidents Martin Van Buren, Warren G. Harding, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt have all been important Dutch figures in American history.

November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance

Dozens of transgender people are killed each year due to transphobia. This November diversity day seeks to remember them. On this day, you can demonstrate your support for transgender individuals who are still living. Strive to practice active allyship each day and always use the correct language to refer to this community. And foster a sense of inclusion with our LGBT training in the workplace

Final Thoughts

Get outside your bubble and bring multicultural holidays and diversity days into the workplace! Explore next month with our December 2022 Diversity Calendar. Or get a head start on next year with our Diversity Calendar 2023

October 2022 Diversity Calendar

Below you’ll find a small sampling of our October diversity calendar events – to see all 100+ events this year, see our interactive online DEI Calendar

As we approach the holiday season, it’s essential to include diversity days and months on your workplace’s calendar. While the masses may only celebrate Halloween and Christmas, others in your office will appreciate and benefit from your acknowledgment of lesser-known holidays. To help you, below you’ll find our October 2022 Diversity Calendar.

Global Diversity Awareness Month

The world is full of diverse beliefs and cultures. Expand your horizons and become more globally aware during this October diversity month. We suggest seeking out someone who has a different background than yourself and asking them to coffee. During your coffee date, ask open-ended questions that can help you learn about their story. And explore cultural competency, one of 5 types of diversity training in the workplace.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

October diversity topics include acknowledging the workplace contributions of people with disabilities. We recommend educating your workforce about disability employment issues in your workplace during the month of October.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October diversity events include this annual campaign, which helps raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, hold a short seminar in your workplace to educate employees about the symptoms and importance of early detection.

National Polish American Heritage Month

Our October multicultural calendar includes honoring Polish heritage. October was chosen because that’s when Polish settlers arrived in Jamestown, VA in 1608. Host lunch for the office one day and order Polish dishes like pierogis. And foster greater awareness of cultural diversity in the workplace

October 10: World Mental Health Day

This day promotes mental health awareness and education. All people have mental health, in the same way they have physical health. Hold a mental health workshop in your office to explore the importance of self-care and mental wellness.

October 10: Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States)

Many people remember this holiday as “Columbus Day.” They even learned the rhyme “in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue” to celebrate. However, Columbus couldn’t discover a land that already existed and was inhabited by the indigenous people of North America. This day now honors the original inhabitants of the Americas.

 October 14: Defender of Ukraine Day

October multicultural holidays include this powerful event. The first celebration of Defender of Ukraine Day took place on October 14, 2015. The day honors all those who fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty, including the ongoing invasion by a Russian dictator. Observe this day by donating to an organization providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.

October 21: Spirit Day

Did you know that every year, up to 40 percent of LGBTQ youth consider suicide? This number rises when you consider just transgender and nonbinary youth. Spirit Day is an October diversity day to show support for these individuals by wearing purple. We must show acceptance and speak out against bullying. And foster a sense of inclusion with sensitivity training in the workplace.

October 24: Diwali

An October diversity celebration, Diwali is perhaps the most important festival in the Hindu faith. During this time, Hindus praise diverse deities. Go all out in your office this year and ask Hindu associates to help plan some festivities. Some ideas include getting Henna artists, decorating the office, and having an ethnic clothing contest. And discover more interfaith events with our list of key religious holidays 2023

Final Thoughts

And that concludes our October 2022 Diversity Calendar! Don’t stop there. What other diversity days would you enjoy discovering? Preview next month with our November 2022 Diversity Calendar. And get a head start on the coming year with our Diversity Calendar 2023

Cultural Competency Training: 6 Keys

What Is Cultural Competency Training?

The United States is called the Great Melting Pot, a nation with incredible cultural diversity. And with such diversity, it’s essential for organizations to foster cultural competence and sensitivity.

It’s essential for workplaces to give employees the cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills to increase cultural knowledge and boost social awareness. Here’s what you need to know about cultural competency training.

What is Cultural Competence?

Cultural competence is the combination of cultural knowledge, awareness, and social skills. It enables people to communicate effectively, and collaborate with individuals of various cultural backgrounds. Here are 5 skills that are obtained through education and experience:

Mindfulness – the ability to be aware of how communication and interaction with others are developed

Cognitive Flexibility – the ability to create new categories of information rather than old categories

Tolerance for Ambiguity – the ability to maintain focus in situations that are not clear, rather than become anxious, and to methodically determine the best approach as the situation moves forward

Behavioral Flexibility – the ability to adapt and accommodate behaviors to a different culture

Cross-Cultural Empathy – the ability to visualize the situation of another person from an intellectual and emotional point of view

Cultural competency training both models and provides educational instruction that outlines positive behaviors, attitudes, and policies.

What Are the Benefits of Cultural Competency Training?

Here are some benefits of cultural competency training at work:

  • Increases cultural understanding and skills
  • Boosts customer satisfaction
  • Improves work outcomes
  • Creates more open-minded employees
  • Encourages active listening, empathy, and overall better communication skills
  • Fosters a variety of diverse perspectives, ideas, and strategies
  • Prompts productivity and cooperation

How Do You Create Cultural Competency Training?

To add or boost cultural training in your workplace, consider these 6 keys as a layout for your program and build from there.

1. Define Diversity

Ground your entire cultural competency program with an initial discussion about diversity. What is it? How has it impacted your organization? How does it impact others with different identities? How do we develop an understanding of ourselves in relation to others? The process of socialization deeply impacts our behaviors, values, and interaction with the world.

Celebrating diversity made easy, with our best-selling DEI calendar – respectful and inclusive scheduling made easy!

2. Improve Self-Awareness

Spend some time exploring social groups and how they impact the lives of participants. This can be an interesting part of your session as some people deeply identify with their social groups, while others have hardly thought about how they belong to them. Either way, boosting self-awareness will allow your participants to see how they are connected to a greater system.

3. Unpack Cultural Baggage

While most people don’t like to admit it, we all have biases, stereotypes, and prejudices. Discuss your unconscious biases, unpack your cultural bias, and understand the unintended impact that comes with that…especially as it pertains to someone’s individual professional role.

4. Explore “isms”

“Isms” are attitudes, actions, or institutional structures that can oppress certain individuals or groups. What are the most common “isms”? What is the relationship between these systems of oppression and the assumptions people make about others?

Explore more with our training on Microaggressions at the workplace 

5. Understand Privilege

Spend some time unpacking the complex web of privilege. Different types of privilege interconnect, and most have a systemic origin. Start broad with these details, and then get specific about the types of privilege that benefit some – and not others.

6. Create Allies

Cultural competency training seeks to create allies. Spend some time discussing actionable ways that you can address issues when they arise, or if diversity, equity, and inclusion are threatened.

Final Thoughts

Cultural competency training can improve the knowledge, understanding, and skills. These benefits show when working with both customers and coworkers from culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds. Take this step to ensure everyone at your organization is protected!

Get a headstart to the next year with our 2023 diversity calendar for diversity topics to include at the workplace

Celebrate and schedule with inclusion with our 2023 Interfaith calendar

September 2022 Diversity Calendar

Below you’ll find a small sampling of our September diversity calendar events – to see all 100+ events this year, see our interactive online DEI Calendar.

September is a busy month for most people! Between the change of season, the start of a new school year for families, countless birthdays, Labor Day Weekend, and so much more, most people have packed calendars. This year, get some September diversity days on your schedule as well. This will keep you motivated to learn about new cultures and practices around you.

September 15 to October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month was first declared in September 1989. It aims to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. During this month, the independence days of several Latin American countries are also celebrated. These include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Chile.

National Recovery Month

This is a national observance held each September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices for substance use disorder. It was launched in 1989 by SAMSHA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). During this time, you can honor National Recovery Month by reaching out to anyone you know in recovery, attending 12-step meetings, or posting on social media about your own progress or experience.

September 20: HeForShe

Our list of September diversity topics includes HeForShe is a social movement campaign created by the UN to promote gender equality. It’s targeted at men to become the agents of change for women’s rights. If you’re a man, here’s how you can be a better ally for gender equality.

  • Actively listen to women and their perspectives
  • Reflect on your own power and privilege as a man
  • Credit your female coworkers’ ideas fairly
  • Advocate for gender-equitable policies in the workplace
  • Challenge sexism and speak up when you hear sexist language used
  • Take on your full share of the housework and childcare at home

Building strong allyship on your radar? Head to our online diversity training page for useful resources.

September 22: Autumnal Equinox

Fall is now upon us! The autumnal equinox may seem like a simple shift of seasons, but around the world, it’s the time for various religious observances worldwide. Discover more interfaith events with our list of key religious holidays 2022.

September 25 to September 27: Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, a September multicultural celebration, is the Jewish New Year festival. The holiday officially begins at nightfall, and those following the rabbinical customs will attend synagogue services to recite a special liturgy about teshuva. Eating symbolic foods is also now a tradition of the holiday. Some symbolic foods include apples dipped in honey. If you’ve never celebrated Rosh Hashanah previously, you may try participating in some of these customs.

Final Thoughts

Which diversity days do you want to learn more about this year? Get a head start on next month with our October 2022 Diversity Calendar, or next year with our Diversity Calendar 2023.

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