Category: Diversity Blog

November 2020 Diversity Calendar

Below you’ll see a sampling of upcoming diversity holidays. To discover more than 100+ celebrations and religious observances, enjoy our Diversity Calendar suite

Our November multicultural calendar gives you the chance to engage in issues related to the LGBTQ+, international, religious, Native American and Black communities. With our November 2020 Diversity Calendar, you can be more aware and inclusive.

Native American Heritage Month

Our November diversity month theme is Native American Heritage Month. It was established in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, who approved a joint resolution designating the celebration. It’s the best time of the year to note the important contributions of Native Americans, and the unique challenges they’ve faced in the past and present.

 

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11/1: Birthday of Tim Cook

November diversity events include the birthday of Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. In 2014, Cook revealed in Bloomberg Businessweek that he identifies as gay. He wrote that – while he never denied his sexuality – he had never openly acknowledged it. Cook’s coming out made him the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ and others with our online diversity training.

10/31 – 11/2: Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)

Perhaps the most colorful of November multicultural holidays is Día de los Muertos. This Mexican holiday celebrates both life and death. It’s rooted in two traditions: the Christian observance of All Saints and All Souls Day, as well as two Aztec festivals of souls of the dead. It includes vibrant costumes and tasty dishes.

11/14/2020: Diwali

Diwali is a Hindu holiday celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide. It’s a five-day festival of lights that may coincide with harvest and new year celebrations. Diwali celebrates different gods and goddesses, highlighting the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.

11/16: Dutch American Heritage Day

November diversity celebrations include a celebration of Dutch American heritage. The United States and the Netherlands have a longstanding friendship, commemorated on November 16th each year. This holiday dates back to November 16, 1776, when the Netherlands was one of the first countries to recognize the United States as a sovereign nation. As a result, Congress declared a national holiday!

11/20: Transgender Day of Remembrance

November diversity topics feature this commemoration. Established in 1999 , it honors all transgender people who have lost their lives in anti-transgender violence. The day is a vigil to honor the memory of transgender woman Rita Hester. You can participate by attending and/or organizing a vigil on November 20 to honor those lost to transgender violence.

11/30: Birthday of Shirley Chisholm

Our November diversity days conclude with a Happy Birthday to Shirley Chisholm! In 1968, she became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district. In 1972, she was the first Black candidate for a majority party’s nomination for the president of the United States, as well as the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.

Final thoughts

That concludes our November 2020 Diversity Calendar. How will you confront racial prejudices or cultural misunderstandings this month? Now is the best time to be more aware and inclusive, and advocate for equality and justice for all. Or check out the entire year, with our 2020 Diversity Calendar.

October 2020 Diversity Calendar

Following is a small selection of this month’s diversity events. To enjoy all 100+ events and religious holidays, view our Diversity Calendar suite

October ushers in fall weather and Halloween. It’s also full of diversity holidays that you can celebrate as a community. Our October 2020 Diversity Calendar lists 7 key events this month:

Global Diversity Awareness Month

Our October multicultural calendar includes this celebration, designed to increase awareness and acceptance of diverse cultures. As the world becomes increasingly diverse, cultures and customs need to join together. And this month help your employees the tools they need for working with cultures, with our online diversity training.

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Our October diversity topics include National Disability Employment Awareness, promoting awareness of employment for people with disabilities. This month dates back to 1945 when Congress declared the first week of October “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” It has since been expanded to a full month, aiming to inspire full integration of people with disabilities into the workplace.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Its goal is to increase awareness of the disease and get women the help they need. You can take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by visiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation and downloading their free Dense Breast Q&A Guide, making a one-time (or monthly!) gift, or hosting a fundraiser to benefit the NBCF. Visit here for more information.

National Italian American Heritage Month

This October diversity month honors the more than 26 million Italian-Americans living in the United States. As the seventh-largest ethnic group, this month celebrates the unique cultural contributions they have made to the country. To celebrate, try making a few new Italian dishes you’ve never tried before.

October 6: German American Heritage Day

October diversity events include German-American Day, first proclaimed by President Reagan in 1983. This date marked the 300th anniversary of the founding of Germantown. While historical research has shown that nearly all of the first thirteen Quaker and Mennonite families that immigrated were Dutch (instead of German), this day has continued to be observed with German-themed activities.

October 6: Birthday of Fannie Lou Hamer

October diversity days include the birthday of Fannie Lou Hamer, a grass-roots civil rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s. She was one of the first Black Americans to register to vote after working hard in Mississippi for voting rights. She ran for Congress in 1964 – although unsuccessfully. On October 6, we celebrate Fannie as an activist who recognized that America’s vision of democracy was in great need of progress.

October 29, 2020: Mawlid

October multicultural holidays include Mawlid, an Islamic holiday celebrating the birth of prophet Muhammad. It was declared an official holiday by the Ottomans in 1588, and later approved by most denominations of Islam as the commemoration of Muhammad’s birthday. Today the date is recognized as a national holiday in most Muslim-majority countries.

Final thoughts

And thus concludes our October 2020 diversity celebrations! Get a head start on next month, with our November 2020 Diversity Calendar. And to discover more awesome cultures and holidays, enjoy our 2020 Diversity Calendar.

September 2020 Diversity Calendar

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

September heralds the shift from summer to fall – and time for learning and growth. Check out all the diversity days and events to honor with our September diversity celebrations. It’s great opportunity to inspire people working or studying – whether in person or virtually from home – about diversity days worth recognizing.

9/15-10/15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

Our September diversity month is highlighted by the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15 was chosen as the start date, because it’s the anniversary of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,and Nicaragua. All five of these countries declared independence in 1821. Try making recipes from these diverse cultures throughout the month to celebrate! And foster racial equity and inclusion in your workplace with our Online Diversity Training.

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9/5: Anniversary of Tashunka Witko’s Death

In September 1877, Tashunka Witko, also known as Crazy Horse, was fatally wounded by a military guard while allegedly resisting imprisonment at Camp Robinson in present-day Nebraska. An Oglala Sioux,  he’s among the most famous Native American warriors and thus a part of our September diversity events.

9/19-9/20: Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on previous day, September 18. That’s because the ancient Jewish calendar is based on the phases of the moon. On this day, we’ll launch into the Jewish New Year 5780. Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the Days of Awe, which culminates 10 days later with Yom Kippur. It calls for a reflection about the past year and of the year to come. Discover more holy days with our 2020 Interfaith Calendar.

9/22: Autumnal Equinox

Our September multicultural holidays include Autumnal Equinox. Today the sun will pass directly over the Earth’s equator, and the day and night will be exactly equal in length. Both the autumnal and vernal equinox – as well as the winter and summer solstice – play a key role in many major religions.

9/25: Birthday of Christopher Reeve

Our September diversity topics include people with disabilities. Happy Birthday, Christopher Reeve! In May of 1995, Reeve was thrown from a horse and paralyzed. After his accident, he advocated for research into spinal cord injuries, and lobbied on behalf of others suffering from similar injuries. He founded the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to finding treatments and cures for paralysis.

9/28: Yom Kippur

Our September multicultural calendar includes Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement” in the Jewish religion. It ends the Days of Awe (or Repentance), which are 10 days during which Jews reflect on their sins and seek forgiveness from God. It’s considered the holiest day of the year as Jews atone for their sins. The best greeting to give on this day is “Have an easy fast” or “Have a good holy day.”

Final thoughts

Our September 2020 diversity calendar helps you develop awareness and inclusion each and every day. How can you celebrate these at your workplace or school – whether in person or virtually? And get a head start on next month with our October 2020 Diversity Calendar, and the rest of the year with our 2020 Diversity Calendar.

July 2020 Diversity Calendar

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

In 2020, the Black Lives Moment has swept the United States and the world, fostering seeds of hope for a more just and inclusive world. Our July 2020 Diversity Calendar show how diverse the world is – and how you can foster awareness and inclusion. And give your employees the skills they need, with our online diversity training.

Diversity Calendar Suite™
Easy Awareness & Inclusion: 365

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7/06: 14th Dalai Lama

Born July 6, 1935, the 14th Dalai Lama is famous for his nonviolent efforts to liberate Tibet and his concern about global environmental problems. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Celebrate his birthday by pledging to conserve water and electricity from this day forward, or replacing at least one type of disposal item in your home with a reusable.

7/06: Frida Kahlo

Happy Frida Kahlo Day! On July 6th we also celebrate beloved Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s birthday. Living from 1907 to 1954, Kahlo is known for utilizing naïve folk art to explore a variety of crucial diversity topics such as gender, class, race, identity and post colonialism. Enjoy her artwork today, and take the time to talk about one of these topics with a friend today in honor of this July multicultural holiday.

7/18: Nelson Mandela International Day

In 2009, the United Nations declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day. Mandela was South Africa’s president, and a key leader the fight to end apartheid in South Africa. Despite tremendous oppression, Mandela showed us what it means to persevere until a better world could be created for everyone.

7/24: Pioneer Day

A state holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day commemorates the arrival of Brigham Young and his group of pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847. These pioneers sought refuge from religious persecution, and found that place of solace in Utah, where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is based today. Pioneer Day is widely celebrated the the Fourth of July  — fireworks, parades, picnics, and other festivities.

7/26: Americans with Disabilities Act

Created in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The law demands access and amenities must be provided in public places for individuals with disabilities, and allows greater equality for all.

7/29: The Hajj

The Hajj is a five-day annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims. Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia, and this year Hajj will take place from 7/29 to 8/2. For Muslims, it is a religious obligation that they must undergo at least once in their life. Each year, roughly 2 million Muslims participate. But during the 2020 covid-19 pandemic, the site is closed to all except a handful of local worshippers, which has caused tremendous grief in the Muslim world. For a list of all of this year’s religious observances, see our 2020 Interfaith Calendar.

7/30: Tisha B’Av

Tisha B’Av is a Jewish fast day commemorating the five calamities that befell the Jewish people, including the destruction of temples and the city of Betar. Thus, there are generally five prohibitions that are followed on Tisha B’Av. These include: no food/drink, marital relations, bathing, wearing of leather shoes, and applications of oils/creams. Further, during this observance Jews typically avoid utilizing electricity, work as little as possible, avoid gift giving, and sleep on the floor.

Final thoughts

Our July 2020 Diversity Calendar focuses on a wide variety of multicultural holidays as well as birthdays of diverse leaders. Celebrate as many of these July diversity events as you can! Get a head start on next month, with our August 2020 Diversity Calendar . And enjoy a preview into the rest of the year, with our 2020 Diversity Calendar.

5 Benefits of Diversity Training in the Workplace

Diversity training is an increasingly popular topic, but businesses want to know: what are the benefits of diversity training in the workplace? Well, besides the good feeling of being kind, there are plenty of financial and business benefits of inclusion in the workplace.

Businesses need to provide diversity training in order hire and retain the best talent, maximize their markets, and avoid nasty such as bad publicity and costly lawsuits. For example, companies that train on ethnic diversity show 35% better than national average financial returns, according to a study by McKinsey on 366 public companies. Those with a focus on gender diversity show financial returns 15% higher than the national average.

When you make diversity training in the workplace a priority, your company reaps the benefits in more ways than one. You’ll create an inclusive environment that fosters innovation, and ensures your brand will be popular with all demographics and thus boost your revenue. With better team morale due to cultural differences, you’ll draw attention from top talent and grow your company with the best possible people.

Here are 5 key benefits of benefits of diversity training in the workplace:

Avoid Costly Blunders – Janina Kugel, Chief Diversity Officer of Siemens, said “Systematic prevention of unconscious bias at work allows us to make fairer decisions.” In her recent Ted Talk, she opened up on personal experiences of bias against her in her career. Kugel said diversity training in the workplace helps Siemens avoid cultural mistakes made by others. Companies also need to avoid scheduling blunders, by consulting a diversity calendar.

2. Boost Recruiting and Retention – Another of top benefit of diversity in the workplace is winning – retaining – the best and brightest talent. When all employees feel their voices are heard, they feel included. Employees who are happy at work are more productive, willing to take on more projects, and provide more feedback to their employers. When your employees are happy, it shows, and attracts more top talent to your company.

3. Increase Innovation – different people see problems differently, and have different ways of solving them. If your people don’t understand the perspectives of diverse groups, they’re less likely to come up with comprehensive solutions. A diverse team is a creative team. When your staff can learn and grow with each other, and understand others, they can open their minds to creative solutions.

4. Increase Market Share – Another of the benefits of inclusion in the workplace is more business. Inclusive ideas reach more markets. Reaching all demographics and markets, and ensuring you’re competitive, requires teams to think in an inclusive manner. Make sure your top decision-makers include diverse backgrounds to expand your customer base into all demographics and markets.

5. Better Business Reputation – Companies that focus on building diverse teams have a better business reputation. Many businesses feature all-white, all male leadership, which leads a narrow perspective. But when your board of directors includes women, LBGTQ+, diverse cultures and more, your business has a wider reach and can relate to more individuals. Perhaps the quickest way to instill the benefits of diversity training in the workplace is online diversity training

Differences in team dynamics make for empathetic teams who understand how to avoid offending people of diverse backgrounds. When your teams are made up of many backgrounds, your staff members are able to uncover the unconscious bias that holds them back from identifying offensive content from your business. And your company will profit well from the benefits of diversity training in the workplace.

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