Marking the Moment: Celebrations that Build Community

Hello Trailblazers & Changemakers,

The second half of the year is packed with meaningful cultural moments: special observances, heritage months, and the like. If you work in the DEI and/or ERG space, you’re probably already thinking about ways to recognize these moments; doing so thoughtfully and intentionally is a powerful way to build community and honor the diverse identities that make up your workplace.

And if you haven’t yet thought about how you’ll mark these occurrences, take this as your reminder to plan ahead and get creative! Let’s explore how you might do that.

Planning beyond performance

Before you jump into planning, there are three things you should keep in mind:

1. Any celebratory events should be co-created with community members, as opposed to being planned for them. The nature of DEI leadership often means that you’re organizing content and programming on behalf of groups with which you might not personally identify. But when it comes to special observances, it’s most impactful to involve the relevant group in the planning process to ensure they are truly heard, seen, and celebrated in a way that resonates with them.

2. Balance celebratory events (food, music, art) with educational and action-oriented programming. We all love a good catered meal, but it’s what attendees leave the event with that matters. Ensure that your events incorporate opportunities for deeper cultural engagement and learning, and don’t miss opportunities to actively uplift the community you’re celebrating.

3. As much as possible, tie everything back to your ERG’s mission and broader company goals. The goals you set at the beginning of the year (and the ones you reprioritized at the midpoint of the year) still matter. Think critically about how these cultural acknowledgements might meaningfully move the needle for your organization — impacting talent priorities, supporting employee engagement, or driving cultural awareness.

And if the funds are low…

It’s not lost on me that budgets are tighter than ever. But marking cultural moments doesn’t have to break the bank! Here are a few low-lift, high-impact ideas:

• Curated content sharing: Share a roundup of articles, podcasts, TED Talks, or book recommendations that reflect the theme of the month. Add a quick blurb on why the content matters, and invite others to comment or share their own suggestions. You can post this in Slack or internal newsletters; you might also consider sharing on public-facing channels to more broadly showcase the company’s support.

• Digital Spotlights: Feature employee voices connected to the month’s theme. This could be a short Q&A, a written reflection, or a simple “Meet the Member” post. These stories showcased lived experiences and boost visibility without requiring a big lift.

• Micro-events: Not every event needs to be a big production! Host a virtual coffee chat, a 30-minute lunch session, or a “fireside Slack thread” where employees can reflect, ask questions, or connect casually. Focus on one prompt or story to keep it simple and impactful.

• Cross-ERG Collaborations: If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1,000 times: ERGs are better together. Team up with another ERG to co-sponsor something small. Collaboration broadens reach and builds stronger bonds across communities.

Remember: A lower budget isn’t an excuse not to engage. Even lighter-touch efforts can spark connection, reflection, and pride. 

What’s ahead

Just in case it’s not already on your calendar, here are some heritage months and holidays to begin thinking about for the rest of the year:

• July: 

  • Disability Pride Month 

• September

  • Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15–Oct 15) 

• October

  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month

  • Global Diversity Awareness Month

  • LGBTQ+ History Month 

  • National Disability Employment Awareness Month 

• November

  • Native American Heritage Month 

  • Veterans Day (Nov 11) 

  • Trans Awareness Week (Nov 13–19)

• December

  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec 3)

  • Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice

This isn’t an exhaustive list! It’s always beneficial to be aware of the diverse identities within your organization and to look out for opportunities to recognize and celebrate them.

Don’t let these important moments sneak up on you. A little advance planning now sets the stage for more thoughtful, inclusive programming later. 

Onward and upward,

Dumebi

If you're interested in exploring how Chezie can enhance your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), I invite you to schedule a demo. We also offer a wealth of resources to support your ERG initiatives:

• ERG Toolkit: Comprehensive guides and templates to help you establish and manage effective ERGs.

• Blue Pages: A collection of articles and thought pieces on best practices for ERGs.

• ERG Leaders Community: Join discussions with ERG and DEI leaders to share experiences and strategies.

Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.