How DBP Member Organizations Are Celebrating National Diversity Awareness Month 2022

April is National Diversity Awareness Month in the United States. In 2004, it was created as a monthlong celebration of Emancipation Day (celebrated in the District of Columbia on April 16), which marked the anniversary of the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, freeing more than 3,000 slaves in the District of Columbia. It has since been broadened to recognize and honor the diversity of the United States through the celebration of differences, developing greater cultural awareness in local communities.

National Diversity Awareness Month, also referred to as Celebrate Diversity Month, celebrates differences in the United States, including racial and ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ people, disability awareness, and more. In October, Global Diversity Awareness is celebrated to demonstrate the international multicultural society and to aid in embracing the values of other cultures.

There are many ways to uniquely celebrate National Diversity Month. Here are a few:

• Host a multicultural movie night. People can also bring snacks that represent different countries or cultures to share (recipes are always welcome!). The Hundred Foot Journey, Zootopia, Crash, and Encanto are a few recommendations.
• Attend a cultural art exhibit. Many of these can be found virtually and can be a fun way to host a team-building exercise.
• Play music from around the world throughout the month. Starting meetings with new music can help kick off conversations in a relaxed way and can expand people’s exposure to other cultures.
• Support minority-owned businesses. Find local shops that are owned by people of racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds and make a point to support those stores when possible.

April is also Autism Acceptance Month. Starting as a weeklong educational opportunity in 1972, the Autism Society of America provides a variety of resources to inform and encourage celebrating differences and becoming more inclusive of individuals with autism. April was chosen as it overlaps with World Autism Awareness Day (April 2). Previously known as Autism Awareness Month, the Society shifted the terminology after receiving feedback from those in the autism community. “Inclusion begins with acceptance” has become the new framing for the month. This April, the Autism Society of America is proud to continue its fourth annual #CelebrateDifferences campaign in honor of Autism Acceptance Month.

Below, see what some DBP members are doing to celebrate National Diversity Month and Autism Acceptance Month in 2022: