Shining a Spotlight on Diverse Groups and Individuals During National Heritage Months

By Bre Zboran
D&I Committee Member

This blog is part of an ongoing series that highlights content featured in PRSA Pittsburgh’s Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit.

Throughout the year, national heritage months celebrate people from a variety of ethnicities, backgrounds and marginalized groups—providing critical education on their history and cultures as well as a platform to amplify their voices and experiences.

As PR professionals, we can use the power of communication to champion D&I during these key months of recognition—and beyond. Many brands and organizations leverage social media, internal communications, marketing and other forms of communication to highlight employees, customers and stakeholders who identify with a particular group. While this is also an opportunity for a company to showcase how it supports and uplifts these diverse individuals, it’s important that these actions are not done simply to check a box during a heritage month, but rather are authentic and occur year-round.

We hope that the below list of heritage months is a helpful resource for your D&I efforts.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month in the United States and Canada. Since 1976, the month has been designated to remember the contributions of people of the African diaspora.

Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month. Started in 1987, Women’s History Month recognizes all women for their valuable contributions to history and society.

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which was established to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

National Deaf History Month

National Deaf History Month begins on March 13 and runs through April 15. It is a celebration of contributions of the hard-of-hearing and the Deaf community to American society. It’s a great time to recognize Deaf champions and increase awareness of the Deaf community’s rich history.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks on the project were Chinese immigrants.

LGBTQ Pride Month 

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, established to recognize the impact that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on the world. LGBT groups celebrate this special time with pride parades, picnics, parties, memorials for those lost to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS, and other group gatherings. The last Sunday in June is Gay Pride Day.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16, and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended Spanish dictatorship.

Global Diversity Awareness Month

October brings Global Diversity Awareness Month to remind us of the positive impact a diverse workforce of men and women can have on a society.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month was declared in 1988 by the United States Congress for the month of October to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities.

Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month, which celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans.