Celebrate Diversity Month
Embracing Our Differences, Honoring Our Shared Humanity
Each April, we observe Celebrate Diversity Month—a time dedicated to recognizing and honoring the rich diversity within our communities. Diversity encompasses a broad spectrum of attributes, including race, gender, age, socioeconomic background, and abilities. These characteristics shape our identities, making each of us unique and contributing to the strength of our collective society.
Why Celebrate Diversity?
Diversity and inclusion offer numerous benefits for individuals, workplaces, and communities. When we acknowledge and empower diversity, we foster more equitable spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. A diverse and inclusive environment enhances collaboration, reduces prejudice, and strengthens empathy, ultimately creating a society where all individuals can thrive.
The History of Celebrate Diversity Month
Established in 2004, Celebrate Diversity Month was created to promote awareness and appreciation of the differences and similarities among us. The goal is to encourage deeper understanding between people of all backgrounds while reinforcing our shared humanity. A 2020 Glassdoor survey revealed that 76% of employees and job seekers consider workplace diversity an important factor when evaluating job opportunities. This statistic underscores the growing recognition of diversity as an essential aspect of modern society.
Exploring Diversity and Inclusion
Throughout April, individuals and organizations are encouraged to explore different cultures, perspectives, and traditions. By engaging in conversations, sharing experiences, and celebrating various cultural expressions, we can cultivate a more inclusive and tolerant world.
Key areas of diversity include:
Race and Ethnicity – Understanding different racial and ethnic backgrounds fosters inclusivity and mutual respect.
Gender and Sexual Orientation – Supporting gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights promotes acceptance and equity.
Faith and Beliefs – Learning about different religions and philosophies encourages interfaith understanding.
Abilities and Accessibility – Ensuring accessibility and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities creates a more inclusive society.
Why Celebrate Diversity Month Matters
Celebrate Diversity Month serves as an essential platform for dialogue, education, and meaningful connections. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion and helps create environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. The benefits of recognizing diversity extend beyond moral and ethical values—research shows that diverse workplaces are more innovative, productive, and successful in the long run.
Ways to Celebrate Diversity Month
Looking for ways to honor diversity this month? Here are some meaningful activities:
Engage in Cultural Experiences – Try different cuisines, watch international films, or listen to global music playlists.
Educate Yourself and Others – Read books, watch documentaries, and attend workshops focused on diversity and inclusion.
Host Open Discussions – Create safe spaces for dialogue where individuals can share personal experiences and learn from one another.
Support Diverse Businesses – Shop from minority-owned businesses and support organizations that promote inclusivity.
Challenge Implicit Bias – Take online courses or participate in training sessions that help identify and address unconscious biases.
Resources
Celebrate Diversity Month is an excellent opportunity to initiate or enhance your organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. By fostering understanding, promoting inclusivity, and honoring different perspectives, we contribute to a more just and harmonious society.
Explore the resources below—literature, films, podcasts, and activities—to continue learning and celebrating diversity throughout the month and beyond. Together, let’s build a world that welcomes and appreciates everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
Read
“Bud, Not Buddy,” by Christopher Paul Curtis - The story of a young Black boy's search for the father he has never met. Following clues from the few possessions he carries that were his momma's, Bud escapes from a difficult life in Flint to Grand Rapids, Michigan to find his father.
“The Girl With The Louding Voice,” by Abi Daré - The story of a teenage Nigerian girl called Adunni who becomes a maid and struggles with many things growing up, including her limited education, poverty, and her inability to speak up for herself.
“The Gender Games: The Problem with Men and Women, from Someone Who Has Been Both,” by Juno Dawson - A frank, witty, and powerful manifesto for a world in which everyone can truly be themselves.
“The Death of Vivek Oji,” by Akwaeke Emezi - A powerful and captivating novel that explores identity and community, family, and friendship.
“The Beauty of Your Face,” by Sahar Mustafah - A Palestinian American woman wrestles with faith, loss, and identity before coming face-to-face with a school shooter.
Watch
Moana (2016) - Action-filled voyage of Moana, the daughter of a Polynesian chief, as she sails across the ocean. Moana learns powerful lessons along the way as she discovers her own identity. This movie showcases a strong female lead from the Pacific Islands, a diverse setting that isn’t represented in many films.
Hidden Figures (2016) - Based on the incredible true story of three female mathematicians who dealt with many challenges around race and gender as they became an important part of NASA and the U.S. space program.
The Holdovers (2023) - A curmudgeonly instructor at a New England prep school remains on campus during Christmas break to babysit a handful of students with nowhere to go. He soon forms an unlikely bond with a brainy but damaged troublemaker, and with the school's head cook, a woman who just lost a son in the Vietnam War.
Polite Society (2023) - Martial artist-in-training Ria Khan believes she must save her older sister Lena from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.
KOKOMO CITY (2023) - Documentary following four Black transgender sex workers, who break down the walls of their profession. Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge, and hard-earned wisdom.
Listen
The Inclusive Excellence Podcast by the Department of Inclusion and Workforce Diversity, in collaboration with the Cornell Broadcast Studio
Untapped - Regularly features movers and shakers in the diversity and inclusion space who talk about ways to make the workplace more equitable for the untapped talent that may have been overlooked in the past.
Code Switch - Takes a look at how intersectionality impacts every area of people’s lives, from the home to the workplace and everywhere in between. Listen for raw discussions about race and the tough questions that need to be addressed to create an equitable society.
Women at Work - Discusses various challenges women face in the workplace. Topics discussed include the wage gap, gender discrimination, productivity, and dealing with workplace stress.
Diversity Deep Dive - Strives to disrupt the way workplaces think about diversity and inclusion by discussing strategies for tackling stereotypes and biases.
Diversity Beyond the Checkbox - D&I leaders discuss what diversity means to them and the steps they take to go beyond the checkbox to grow their organizations.
Act
How to Celebrate Diversity Month at Home During Covid-19 by CSRWire
5 Ways to Celebrate Diverse Culture in the Office by The Other Side of Sales
April is Diversity Month, Six Ways to Celebrate by LinkedIn Pulse
Talk to someone from a different culture about the customs, traditions, values, and practices they observe—and share yours with them.
Explore local ethnic restaurants and markets to sample food from a different culture.
Expand your knowledge through online courses and learning opportunities.
Check out a cultural art exhibit, performance, or activity at your area's cultural or heritage center.
Financially support, volunteer at, or arrange a volunteer event for a nonprofit organization that works to lessen multicultural issues or supports disadvantaged ethnic communities.
