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.
Fall is here, and October brings another diverse set of events and holidays to learn more about and celebrate throughout the month. Take some time this month to learn more about celebrations from cultures different than your own. Take some time to learn about these important days and awareness months with our Diversity Calendar 2023.
In our monthly samples, we aim to share October awareness days, October diversity days, October heritage months, October high holy days, October religious holidays, and religious festivals.
Celebrated Themes
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
First declared by Congress to raise awareness for the needs of those disabled in the United States, this month also celebrates the contributions of the nearly 18.6 million members of the United States Workforce. As a result of the month being honored, Congress has since created the Office of Disability Employment Policy in the Department of Labor which helps to educate and train people who are unemployed or underemployed and disabled in America.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This annual international health campaign day can be celebrated in many ways, whether breast cancer walks or runs as well as other events honoring those who are fighting the disease and those who have lost their fight too. In 2009, Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week began during the third week of October too.
Global Diversity Awareness Month
October is also a time to celebrate and promote respect for all cultures and embrace the richness of diversity in our global community. It is an opportunity to learn about different backgrounds, traditions, and perspectives that contribute to the tapestry of humanity.
Monthly Standouts
October 9 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day (US)
Celebrated the second Monday of October and coinciding with Columbus Day, this day honors the culture and history of all Native American people in the United States and its territories. It’s a day to recognize the violence they have faced in our history and the continued pursuit to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day forever.
If you live in South Dakota, it’s known as Native Americans’ Day, Discoverers’ Day in Hawaii, and American Indian Heritage Day in the State of Alabama.
October 10 – World Mental Health Day
Nearly 50.2% of the LGBT community and 1 in 5 adults have experienced mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health. This international effort to expand mental health awareness was first celebrated in 1992. This day is intended to support those inflicted with mental illness and to break the silence on the stigma of having illness in America. For some additional insights on diversity and mental health, check out our Workplace Diversity and Mental Health article.
Learn more about September diversity days with our Diversity Calendar 2023.
Don’t Forget To….
Make your workplace more engaging by having diverse celebrations for different causes or cultures. This allows your staff to feel a sense of belonging and others to learn about things different from their own life.
To see all 100+ events this year, check out our interactive Diversity Calendar. For more information on religious celebrations throughout the year, visit our Interfaith Calendar 2023. To get a head start next month, visit November 2023 Diversity Calendar blog post.