Month-long observances:
Black Business Month
This month shines a spotlight on the Black-owned businesses contributing to our economy, despite historic barriers to access and success. During this month, consumers are encouraged to seek out and support Black entrepreneurs and promote their ability to build wealth for the future.
Celebration Suggestion: Add Black-owned businesses to your supplier, vendor, and partner lists, and invite employees to celebrate by providing gift cards to Black-owned businesses in your community.
National Breastfeeding Month
Are you familiar with the PUMP Act? Signed into law in late 2022, it states that employees are entitled to a place to express breast milk at work, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion for at least a year after a child’s birth. For employees that aim to offer breast milk to their child for at least two years after giving birth, as recommended by the World Health Organization, the challenges of breastfeeding and pumping can be mitigated by a supportive workplace.
Observance Suggestion: Take this opportunity to ensure your workplace has a clean, private location for lactating parents to pump, and review your organization’s new parent policies with managers to guarantee that ample pump breaks are being given.
National Civility Month
Being civil to other humans is what makes the world a better place. This month, we put focus on the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated, regardless of differences in opinions and perspectives.
Observance Suggestion: Host a workshop to practice kindness, empathy, and respect within your organization.
Calendar dates:
August 7 – Purple Heart Day (same every year)
A Purple Heart is given to men and women who bravely represent their country and are either wounded or killed. Purple Heart Day was created to honor and remember these people and their sacrifices.
Observance Suggestion: Pay your respects and support wounded Veterans by donating to the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Invite someone who earned a Purple Heart to share their experiences with your organization.
August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (same every year)
Indigenous people around the world are striving to keep their cultures and histories alive. Today, we encourage you to deepen your understanding of Indigenous issues from around the world and learn from their leadership models.
Observance Suggestion: Share an acknowledgement with employees of the Indigenous people who inhabited the land where your business is based, along with ways to support causes important to the Indigenous community near you.
August 16 – Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
Janmashtami is one of the biggest religious festivals in the world, celebrating the birth of Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism. Over 900 million people worldwide, including 2 million in the US, celebrate this festival with feasts, dancing, rituals, and prayer.
Observance Suggestion: Allow employees who observe to take time off to celebrate with their families and community, and invite them to share their personal experiences celebrating Janmashtami with fellow employees.
August 17 – Marcus Garvey Day (same every year)
Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican-born political activist, orator, publisher, journalist, and entrepreneur. He was also a hero for fighting for the rights of Afro-Jamaicans. This day celebrates his achievements and ideology centered around empowerment.
Celebration Suggestion: Jamaicans celebrate Marcus Garvey Day with a wreath-laying ceremony in National Heroes Park. We suggest organizations take this day to learn more about the rights of Afro-Jamaicans.
August 19 – World Humanitarian Day (same every year)
Nearly 300 million people globally need humanitarian assistance and protection, and World Humanitarian Day recognizes the aid workers who step up to fill that need. Humanitarians provide life-saving assistance to people, especially in conflict zones and vulnerable situations. Initiated in memory of the United Nations bombing in Iraq in 2009, this day honors humanitarian aid workers around the world.
Observance Suggestion: You don’t have to be in a war zone to be a humanitarian — you can help alleviate people’s suffering within your community. Poll your employees to select an organization to volunteer with and have your team spend a weekday afternoon giving back.
August 21 – Senior Citizens Day (same every year)
National Senior Citizens Day is an opportunity to let the senior citizens in your life know how much you appreciate them. Senior citizens are a strong presence in our communities and workforce, and often have the valuable life experience to share.
Observance Suggestion: Celebrate age diversity within your organization. Review age discrimination and retirement policies with your employees, or create an opportunity for teams to volunteer for a project that benefits the elderly in their community.
August 26 – Women’s Equality Day (same every year)
While American women’s right to vote was ratified on August 20, 1920, it wasn’t certified until the 26th. This day commemorates that important step forward as among the first in an ongoing march to equality for women in every aspect of life.
Observance Suggestion: Measure the representation of women in your organization’s leadership across levels to identify whether there’s an equality gap. If there isn’t, celebrate! If there is, commit to developing more women leaders and begin investing in a culture that supports equal opportunity for all.
