


2025-2026 DEI Calendar

Diversity and Inclusion Holiday and Observance Calendar
September 2025
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Labor Day | September 1, 2025 | |
Mawlid al Nabi (birthday of Mohammad) | Islamic | September 4-5, 2025 |
Feast of the Nativity | Orthodox Christian | September 8, 2025 |
World Suicide Prevention Day | September 10, 2025 | |
Hispanic Heritage Month (September) | September15 - October 15, 2025 | |
International Day of Peace | September 21, 2025 | |
Rosh Hashanah (New Year) | September 22-24, 2025 | |
Navaratri/Dussehra | Hindu | September 22 - October 2, 2025 |
Where to go:
Virtual Tours:
National Museum of the American Latino
National History Museum of Chile
What to Read:
Hispanic Heritage Month - LibGuides at Empire State University
Disability Justice and U.S. Latinx Art
The Voices of Intersectionality: Life as a Disabled Latinx
NPR Latinos Share Their American Immigration Stories
Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, Chicano: The History Behind the Terms
What to listen to:
Oral Histories
Hispanic Communities Documentation Project records
Music
Hispanic Heritage Month Playlist
Viva Latino | Spotify Playlist
Radio Chart: Latin - Playlist - Apple Music
Podcasts
¿Qué Me Cuentas?: Latinx Storytelling
AFROSAYA The Afrolatino Podcast
What to Watch:
America's Diversity Gives Us Strength: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Bienvenidos a Fleischmanns - An Immigrant Community in Rural America
15 Latinx Movies About Our History and Culture You Need to Watch
What Being Hispanic and Latinx Means in the United States
Hispanic Heritage Month (September)
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
What to Read:
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Cancer in Children and Adolescents - NCI
Hope, Support and the Power of Community During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Childhood Cancer Facts Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Spotlights Barriers That Persist in Care
IARC marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2025
What to Listen to:
Help and Hope Happen Here Podcast on Spotify
Caregivers SHARE Podcast St. Jude Care & Treatment
The Childhood Cancer Perspective Apple Podcasts
Why We Do The Work Podcast Beyond Toxics
Navigating Childhood Cancer Podcast Podcast on Spotify
What to Watch:
Facing the Unthinkable: Stories From the Children's Cancer Ward Full Documentary
October 2025
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Global Diversity Awareness Month (October) | October 1-31, 2025 | |
Yom Kipper | Jewish | October 1-2, 2025 |
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) | Jewish | October 6-13, 2025 |
Indigenous Peoples’ Day | October 13, 2025 | |
Columbus Day | October 13, 2025 | |
Shemini Atzeret | Jewish | October 14, 2025 |
Simchat Torah | Jewish | October 14-15, 2025 |
Kathin | Theravada Buddhist | October 7 - November 5, 2025 |
Diwali | Hindu, Sikh | October 18-23, 2025 |
Where to go:
Utica, NY Polish Community Club
Virtual Tours:
What to Read:
The Rich History of the Polish Diaspora in the United States
Polonia: The Polish Legacy on the East Side
11 Great Polish Books You Have to Read
What to listen to:
Oral Histories
A Collection of Polish-American Oral Histories
Music
Polish Music 2024 - Best Polish Hits 2024 Playlist- Spotify
All-time: Polish Hits – Apple Music
Polish Folk Music- YouTube Music
Most Popular Songs From Poland
Podcasts
What to Watch:
Polonia: Western New York's Polish - American Legacy
Polish American Historical Association
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Where to Go:
Best Wheelchair Friendly hiking trails in NYS
Access Pass NYS Parks Accessibility Information
NYS Trail Designed for Neurodivergent Adventurers
12 Wheelchair Accessible Tours in NYC
Travel for All Travel Planning for Individuals with Disabilities
To Read:
National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Fact Sheet Library of Congress
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment ADA.gov
Job training and employment programs for people with disabilities USAGov
Association of People Supporting Employment First
Employment Rights of People with Disabilities Division of Human Rights
Our Ability, Inc. – AI Powered Employment for People with Disabilities
To Listen to:
Podcasts
Podcast Disability Visibility Project
AXSChat Podcast Apple Podcasts
Oral Histories
Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement
Visionary Voices Oral Histories
The Intersection of Race and Disability Project
Here. Stories from Selinsgrove Center
To Watch:
Disability and work: Let’s stop wasting talent
How to Help Employees With Disabilities Thrive
Jobs for employees with disabilities
IRR: Disability Employment Awareness
How Does The ADA Impact Employment For People With Disabilities?
Filipino American Heritage Month
Where to go:
Community Little Manila Queens Bayanihan Arts
Filipinos in New York City : Nadal, Kevin L.
What to read:
Filipino American History Month 2025 FANHS National Website
Filipino American History Month Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Filipino American Heritage Month Arts & Culture
National Filipino American History Month, explained
Celebrate Filipino American History Month
To Listen to:
This Filipino American Life - Podcast
Pinoys vs. The World Podcast on Spotify
The Filipino American Woman Project - Podcast
Growing Up Filipino East Coast Podcast on Spotify
Oral Histories:
Filipino American Oral History Project – Asias Americas
To Watch:
A Filipino American Story Since 1587
Filipino Americans #FilipinoVeterans
The First Filipinos in America: Long Before the Pilgrims
How "Filipino American History Month" Came to Be
LGBTQIA+ History Month
To Visit:
LGBTQ History Tour Greenwich Village NYC
Where to Celebrate Pride 2024 in NYS
LGBTQIA+ Museum Tour Virtual Reality
To Read:
LGBTQ Rights Timeline in American History Teaching LGBTQ History
Gay Rights - Movement, Marriage & Flag
LGBTQ+ History National Museum of American History
THE LGBTQ HISTORY PROJECT QUEER LIBERATION
To Listen to:
Podcasts:
The Podcast | Making Gay History
One From the Vaults Apple Podcasts
Oral Histories:
The LGBTQ Oral History Project
Princeton LGBTQIA Oral History Project
“Breaking the Silence: Our Military Stories”
To Watch:
Beyond Stonewall: Exploring LGBTQ+ History Through the Smithsonian Archives
Change in the Family LGBTQ Documentary
Coming Out The LGBT Cultural Revolution before Stonewall
Global Diversity Awareness Month:
To Watch:
The history of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in America
Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity in Science
The Importance of Diversity Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace
To Listen to:
Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox
The Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve
Code Switch Podcast on Spotify
Conversations on A More Beautiful Way Podcast on Spotify
To Read:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
November 2025
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Native American Heritage Month | November 1-30, 2025 | |
All Saints Day | Christian | November 1, 2025 |
All Souls Day | Christian | November 2, 2025 |
Veterans Day | November 11, 2025 | |
Thanksgiving Day | November 27, 2025 | |
Native American Heritage Day | 45 | November 28, 2025 |
National Native American Heritage Month
Maps:
Dispossession of Indigenous Lands Map
Native Land Interactive Digital Map
Where to Go:
Virtual Tours:
National Museum of the American Indian
In New York State:
National Museum of the American Indian- New York, NY
Iroquois Museum- Howes Cave, NY
Ganondagan Seneca Historic Site- Victor, NY
Akwesasne Cultural Center – Akwesasne, NY
Seneca-Iroquois National Museum- Salamanca, NY
American Indian Community House- New York, NY
To Read :
Understanding Disabilities in American Indian & Alaska Native Communities Toolkit
Must-Read Books by Indigenous Authors
Honoring Indigenous Peoples: 20 Recommended Reads
Indigenous Peoples - LibGuides at Empire State University
Native American & American Indian Heritage Month - LibGuides at Empire State University
What to Listen To:
Oral Histories:
Archive of Native American Recorded History
Legacies of Service: Celebrating Native Americans
Podcasts:
Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild
Music:
Dreamcatcher- Spotify Playlist
To Watch:
Indigenous People Answer Commonly Googled Questions About Native Americans
Broken Treaties (Full documentary)
Our Fires Still Burn: The Native American Experience
Veteran and Military Families Month
Places to go:
In New York State:
New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center- Saratoga Springs, NY
Fort Ticonderoga- Ticonderoga, NY
Fort Stanwix National Monument- Rome, NY
Old Fort Niagara- Youngstown, NY
Buffalo Naval and Military Park- Buffalo, NY
Virtual Tours:
Exhibitions | National WWI Museum and Memorial (theworldwar.org)
Virtual Tour of United States Veterans and War Memorials — Google Arts & Culture
To Read:
Military Appreciation Month - LibGuides at Empire State University
National Archives Veterans Oral Histories | National Archives
Native Americans in the Military: From Service to Civilian Life (syr.edu)
2022 Women Infographics (defense.gov)
To Listen To:
Oral Histories:
Witness to War: Preserving The Oral Histories of Combat Veterans
Women in Military Service for American Memorial Foundation, Inc. (preservica.com)
Veterans Interviews :: New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center (ny.gov)
Veterans Oral Histories | American Veterans Center
Podcasts:
Women of the Military | Podcast on Spotify
Episodes | Veteran Transitions Podcast (wordpress.com)
Veteran’s PATH | Podcast on Spotify
Veteran Resource Podcast Podcast Series - Apple Podcasts
Milspouse Matters | Podcast on Spotify
To Watch:
War's Secret Shame: Shell Shock - Video - Films On Demand (infobase.com)
Debt of Honor: Disabled Veterans in American History - Video - Films On Demand (infobase.com)
Journal: Veterans Day: African American Vets - Alexander Street, a ProQuest Company
Veterans' Stories: Honoring those who served (youtube.com)
Veterans and war stories | 60 Minutes Full Episodes (youtube.com)
December 2025
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Feast of the Immaculate Conception | Christian | December 8, 2025 |
Bodhi Day | Buddhism | December 8, 2025 |
Hanukkah | Jewish | December 14-22, 2025 |
Christmas | Christian | December 25, 2025 |
Kwanzaa | African American and Pan-African | December 26, 2025 - January 1, 2026 |
What to Read:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations
Illustrated Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Video
Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons
Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Immigrants’ Rights are Human Rights
What to Watch:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Multilingual Video Collection
A Brief History of the Disability Rights Movement
Beacon of Hope - Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Human rights leaders speak out for LGBT equality
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples explained
What to Listen to:
Podcasts
Declarations – The Human Rights Podcast
Oral Histories
January 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
New Years Day | January 1, 2026 | |
Feast of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) | Christian | January 6, 2026 |
Feast of the Nativity (Nativity of Christ) | Orthodox Christian | January 7, 2026 |
Lailat al-Mi’raj | Islamic | January 16, 2026 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | January 19, 2026 | |
Vasant Panchami | Hindu | January 23, 2026 |
International Holocaust Remembrance Day | January 27, 2026 |
Videos:
Why is it so hard to escape poverty?
Why The U.S. Can’t End Poverty
Give Us the Money: How Do You Change the World?
Quest for Justice: Legal Services and the Poor
Oral Histories:
Appalachia: War On Poverty Oral History Project
UCLA Library Center for Oral History Research
Podcasts:
Social Impact Pioneers Podcast
Build Relationships. Break Poverty. Podcast
Ending Poverty Together Podcast
Poverty Unpacked Podcast
Articles:
Poverty in America: Trends and Explanations
Anti-poverty Policy Innovations: New Proposals for Addressing Poverty in the United States
The Economic Costs of Poverty in the United States: Subsequent Effects of Children Growing Up Poor
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Food Insecurity Among Low-Income US Military Veterans
Poverty and Opportunity Structure in Rural America
In January we also recognize:
January 16th- National Religious Freedom Day
January 20th- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
"The time is always right to do what is right.”
Martin Luther King Jr. (Aug. 28, 1963)
We encourage the SUNY Empire community to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by “cultivating a beloved community mindset through service” — not just on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but all year long.
We’ve put together some online and statewide resources for getting involved in and giving back to your community. We hope you take the time to explore and participate in some of them. We encourage you to listen to Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. This 17-minute speech might just inspire you to start or renew your commitment to Dr. King’s vision of creating a “Beloved Community.” You can also visit The King Center website at www.thekingcenter.org to learn more about Dr. King’s life and legacy.
We’ve also put together a list of recommended readings, movies, and other resources that encompass everything from racial and social justice and the ongoing struggle for voting rights to equal treatment under the law. Have a recommendation? Let us know at ODEI@sunyempire.edu!
For questions about Empire State University's participation in the National Day of Service, email advancementevents@sunyempire.edu.
For more resources, volunteering opportunities and ways to keep the momentum going throughout the year, visit the NYS MLK Day of Service webpage.
Volunteer Opportunities Near You:
Buffalo Region
- Literacy Buffalo Niagara: Literacy Buffalo Niagara aims to ensure that all people in Erie and Niagara counties are literate by providing free tutoring and literacy skills resources. To become a Literacy Buffalo Niagara volunteer, please apply on their website.
- Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor: The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor is a nationally and internationally recognized Buffalo neighborhood that serves as the focal point of residents’ and visitors’ experience for learning about Buffalo’s rich African American history through its vibrant neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, unique structures, historical markers, people and institutions, as well as its significant impact on local, national and international history.
- Project Flight: Project Flight is a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting literacy in children and caregivers, through school and family literacy initiatives. They need new books for children ages 0-12, especially chapter books. Call Melissa Blattner at 716-858-8608 to organize a book drive or donate new books.
Capital Region
- Literacy Volunteers of the Capital Region: Literacy Volunteers of the Capital Region empowers students to advocate for themselves, teaches students to read, write, and speak English, and provides education to the larger community on literacy issues. To volunteer, you must first complete an online orientation which can be found on their website.
- Albany County Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center: Sexual assault hotline advocates provide crisis intervention, support, information and referrals to survivors of sexual assault on the phone or in Albany County hospitals. All advocates must complete 35 hours of training prior to serving on the hotline.
- Capital City Rescue Mission: Volunteers needed for a variety of programs at the Mission, including tutoring, maintenance, clothing ministry, preparing meals, or volunteering in the free medical clinic. They are in need of Spanish-speaking interpreters who can translate at the clinic on Tuesdays, Thursday evenings, or Fridays. Contact: Hope Smith, Volunteer Coordinator, at vcoordinator@albanymission.com.
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: The Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts new and used building materials, furniture, appliances, and other home goods, and sells them to raise money to support affordable homeownership. Sign up for a shift on their website.
- MLK Saratoga: A community-based organization, is hosting a series of events in Saratoga Springs to honor and celebrate Dr. King and his legacy. Events include discussions with authors, music and art events, and a panel on restorative justice in schools which our colleague Dr. Heather Reynolds helped put together based on her Imperatore Fellowship work on school safety. Sign up to volunteer on their website.
- RED (Read Each Day) Bookshelf: The RED Bookshelf is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring children to read. For information about volunteering email volunteers@theredbookshelf.org.
- Things of My Very Own: When a child escapes abuse within their home, they need support to weather the crisis, heal, and move forward. Things of My Very Own, Inc. is a lifeline for children fleeing abuse. From providing basic necessities to teaching life skills that instill confidence and self-worth, our services lift fragile children from a place of harm to one of hope. Apply to volunteer on their website.
Long Island
- Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind: Every volunteer plays an important role in the mission to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired or have other special needs. Apply to volunteer on their website.
- Long Island Crisis Center: Long Island Crisis Center provides 24/7, free, high-quality, confidential and non-judgmental programs and services to support and empower Long Islanders at critical times in their lives. Apply to volunteer on their website.
Rochester Region
- EquiCenter: This organization is a premier accredited member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH), and a 501(c)(3) non-profit facility serving those with disabilities, veterans and at-risk youth. Equine-related programs currently offered include therapeutic horseback riding, horsemanship, and Heroes for Horses, a program that uses a variety of equine-related therapies to help war veterans and their families. To get involved, fill out the volunteer form on their website.
- Foodlink: This Rochester-based nonprofit is dedicated to ending hunger and building healthier communities by addressing the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity. They serve as the hub of the emergency food system across a 10-county service area. Volunteers are needed! To volunteer, sign up on their website
New York City Region
- Art Start: Featuring hip-hop, graphic-design, and fine-arts programs, Art Start targets low-income and homeless youth. Volunteers, many of whom are professional artists, lead classes in their area of expertise, from drumming to short-story writing. Call 800-224-0990 for volunteer opportunities, or apply on their website.
- Brooklyn Public Library: Brooklyn Public Library, the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions, offers thousands of free programs every day for people from all walks of life. For volunteering opportunities, visit www.bklynlibrary.org/support/volunteer.
- Food Bank for New York City: The city’s largest hunger-relief organization, Food Bank for New York City helps low-income New Yorkers overcome their circumstances and achieve greater independence. Volunteers play a central role in powering Food Bank’s mission. They have virtual and on-site volunteer opportunities. For volunteer opportunities, apply on their website.
- Henry Street Settlement: This Lower East Side group serves a largely Asian and Hispanic community. Its services include a mental-health clinic, a shelter for battered women, an arts center, and day-care centers. Volunteer as a tutor, a computer programmer, a job coach, or a teacher’s assistant. Apply for volunteer shifts on their website.
- International Center: Teach English and American-culture classes at this language-learning center in Chelsea, where students are foreign-born newcomers to New York (a standard commitment is two hours a week for six months). Volunteers are needed for written and conversational instruction. Donations help fund scholarships for the neediest students. Call 212-255-9555 for more information regarding donations. To volunteer, inquire on their website.
Inspirational Reading
- A Child Shall Lead Them: Martin Luther King Jr., Young People, and the Movement, by Rufus Burrow
- Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life, by Marshall Frady
- Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63, by Taylor Branch
- The Heavens Might Crack: The Death and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., by Jason Sokol
- The Promise and the Dream: The Untold Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. And Robert F. Kennedy, by David Margolick
- Toward the Beloved Community: Martin Luther King, Jr., and South Africa, by Lewis V. Baldwin
- We Shall Overcome: Martin Luther King Jr., and the Black Freedom Struggle, by Peter J. Albert and Ronald Hoffman
- All the White Friends I Could Not Keep, by Andre Henry
- America, Goddam: Violence, Black Women, and the Struggle for Justice, by Treva B. Lindsey
- Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration, by Lewis-Giggetts
- Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America, by Daniel Black
- Driving the Green Book: A Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance, by Alvin Hall
- Healing Justice Lineages: Dreaming at the Crossroads of Liberation, Collective Care and Safety, by Erica Woodland and Cara
- How to Know a Person, by David Brooks
- I Never Thought of It That Way, by Monica Guzman
- Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen, by George McCalman
- King: A Life, by Jonathan Eig
- Letters to the Sons of Society, by Shaka Senghor
- Redeeming Justice, by Jarret Adams
- Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey
- The Sum of Us, by Heather McGee
- Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, by Charlene Carruthers
- We Want to Do More Than Survive, by Dr. Bettina Love
- You are Your Best Thing, by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown
- You Belong, by Sebene Selassie
Recommended Podcasts
- 1A: "The Mothers Who Raised Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin"
- Code Switch: "The Road To The Promised Land, 50 Years Later"
- Life Kit: 'Not Racist' Is Not Enough: Putting In The Work To Be Anti-Racist
- The NPR Politics Podcast: "The Docket: The Rise And Fall Of The Voting Rights Act Of 1965"
- Radio Boston: Boston pastors reflect on MLK's legacy, 'radical love' and striving for a better world
- Throughline: "Bayard Rustin: The Man Behind the March on Washington"
Media Available from the Online Library Collection
- A Ripple of Hope (video)
- Beyond “I Have a Dream”: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Contributions to Management Scholarship and Practice (article)
- David Susskind archive : interview with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (video)
- Did you know?. A brief biography of minister and Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (video)
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective (video)
- An idea unleashed in history»: Dr Martin Luther King Jr and the campaign to end poverty in America (article)
- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 1995, Memorial Issue (ebook)
- The Measure of a Man (ebook)
- Misremembering Dr. King : revisiting the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. (ebook)
- MLK/FBI (video)
February 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Black History Month | February 1-28, 2026 | |
National Freedom Day, commemorating the ratification of the 13th Amendment | February 1, 2026 | |
Tu BiShvat | Jewish | February 1-2, 2026 |
Lailat al-Bara’ah | Islamic | February 2, 2026 |
Presentation of our Lord in the Temple | Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic | February 2, 2026 |
Valentine’s Day | February 14, 2026 | |
Nirvana Day (also known as Parinirvana Day) | Buddhist, Hindu | February 15, 2026 |
Susan B. Anthony Day (New York) | February 15, 2026 | |
Maha Shivaratri | Hindu | February 15, 2026 |
Presidents Day | February 16, 2026 | |
Lunar New Year | Buddhist | February 17, 2026 |
Ramadan | Jewish | February 17 - March 19, 2026 |
Lent | Christian | February 18 - April 2, 2026 |
Ash Wednesday | Christian, Roman Catholic | February 18, 2026 |
Day of Remembrance (recognizing the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII) | February 19, 2026 | |
Great Lent | Orthodox Christian | February 23 - April 11, 2026 |
Where to go:
- 13 Places to Experience Black History in New York
- Mapping The History of Enslavement In Albany
- National Abolition Hall of Fame (NAHOF)
- Underground Railroad Stations in NYS
- Exploring New York's Black History - NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
Media: Read, Watch, and Hear
Black History
- Black History Month Resource Round-up
- Treasures: Voices in Black History The New York Public Library
- How New York Changes the Story of the Civil Rights Movement
- History Explained NAACP
- Black History National Archives
- HBCU Library Alliance Digital Collection
Ally Resources
- Guide to Allyship
- 20+ Allyship Actions for Asians to Show Up for the Black Community Right Now
- 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice
- How to Be an Anti-Racism Activist
- Curriculum for White Americans to Educate Themselves on Race and Racism
- How You Can Support Marginalized Communities
Understanding Racial/Cultural Impact
- Talking About Race
- Coping While Black: A Season of Traumatic News Takes a Psychological Toll
- Lessons on Cultural Trauma from the Emmett Till Verdict
- What is Systemic Racism?
- Understanding racial trauma, the mental and emotional injury of racism
Self-Care Resources
- 101 Ways to Take Care of Yourself when the World Feels Overwhelming:
- Psychological Toll of Racism
- Digital Self-care for Black individuals coping with trauma
- The Four Bodies: A Holistic Toolkit for Coping with Racial Trauma
- Student of Color Crisis Support through The Steven Fund: Text ‘STEVE’ to 741741 and be connected to support immediately for students of color feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Click here to view.
Toolkits and Trainings
- Black Self-Care Tool Kit- Healing in the Face of Cultural Trauma
- Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit
- Hollaback - Bystander Intervention against Harassment
- A short list of resources for racial equity, healing and justice
- Talking about Racism, Racial Equity and Racial Healing with Friends, Family, Colleagues and Neighbors Guide
Oral Histories
- National Museum of African American History and Culture – Oral Histories
- Duke Oral Histories Project
- UF Samuel Proctor Oral Histories Program
- The JFK Library Archives: An Inside Look
- Setting Up Our Own City: The Black Community in Morristown
Podcasts
- Intersectionality Matters!
- The Godmother
- the Nod
- Identity Politics
- Pod Save the People
- Our Body Politic
Music
March 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Sunday of Orthodoxy | Orthodox Christian | March 1, 2026 |
Purim | Jewish | March 2-3, 2026 |
Magha Puja Day | Buddhist | March 3, 2026 |
Holi | Hindu | March 4, 2026 |
International Women's Day | March 8, 2026 | |
Lailat al Qadr | Islamic | March 16, 2026 |
Eid al-Fitr | Islamic | March 20, 2026 |
World’s Down Syndrome Day | March 21, 2026 | |
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transnational Slave Trade | March 25, 2026 | |
Rama Navami | Hindu | March 26, 2026 |
Palm Sunday | Christian | March 29, 2026 |
Cesar Chavez Day | March 31, 2026 | |
Hanuman Jayanti | Hindu | March 31 - April 1, 2026 |
HERS: Women Leaders in Higher Education
Education National Women's History Museum
To Read:
National Women's History Museum
Women's History Month Smithsonian Institution
55 Famous Women in History Who Changed the World
21 Famous Women of World History World History Encyclopedia
Timeline: Women’s Footprint in History
Oral Histories:
Voices of Feminism Oral Histories - Smith College Collection
Disability Visability Project - Stacey Taught US
Pembroke Center Oral History Project
A History of Domestic Work and Worker Organizing
Podcasts:
Woman’s Hour with Emma Barnett and Anita Rani
The Guilty Feminist with Deborah Frances-White
To Watch:
100 Years of Women's Voting Rights Citizen: Full-Length Documentary
9 Inspiring Women Who Led the Way to a Better Future Smithsonian Channel
What Happened at the Seneca Falls Convention? History
Where to go:
Women's History Walk in Central Park
Shady Ladies Tour of Greenwich Village
Virtual Gallery Tours:
National Women’s History Museum
Pathways to Equality: The U.S. Women’s Rights Movement Emerges
April 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Arab American Heritage Month | April 1-30, 2026 | |
Passover (Pesach) | Jewish | April 1-9, 2026 |
Theravada New Year | Buddhist | April 2, 2026 |
Great and Holy Thursday | Orthodox Christian | April 2, 2026 |
Maundy Thursday (Protestant), Holy Thursday (Roman Catholic) | Christian, Protestant, Roman Catholic | April 2, 2026 |
Good Friday, Great and Holy Friday | Christian, Protestant, Roman Catholic | April 3, 2026 |
Great and Holy Friday | Orthodox Christian | April 3, 2026 |
Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil | Christian, Protestant, Roman Catholic | April 4, 2026 |
Easter Sunday | Christian | April 5, 2026 |
Orthodox Easter/ Pascha | Orthodox Christian | April 12, 2026 |
Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) | April 13-14, 2026 | |
Earth Day | April 22, 2026 |
Earth Day and Sustainability/Climate Awareness Month
What to Read
Books
Rising | Elizabeth Rush
The Ends of the World | Peter Brannen
How to Give Up Plastic | Will McCallum
Storming the Wall | Todd Miller
The Uninhabitable Earth | David Wallace-Wells
Losing Earth | Nathaniel Rich
What to Do
11 Eco Friendly Places to Visit in NYS
What to Listen To
Earth Day Playlist from Spotify
Theoretical and Creative Ecology Podcast
Ted Talks
Ted Talks on Climate Change and Environment
Autism Acceptance Month
What to Read
Autism Spectrum Disorders a Guide
AUTISM - Behind The Locked Door: Understanding My Life as an Autistic
The Autistic Brain: Helping Different Kinds of Minds Succeed
Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism
Places to Go
Experiences in NYS for Autistic people and people with developmental disabilities
Autism Friendly Activities in NY
5 New York State Attractions For Visitors With Autism, Disabilities
What to Watch
Dr. Temple Grandin: The world needs all types of minds
What to Listen To
Arab American Heritage Month
What to Read
Arab American Heritage Month at New York Public Library
Articles
Arab American Heritage Month: Facts, Activities & Resources
Getting to Know 5 Notable Arab Americans
Arab American Heritage Month — Arab American Institute
Libguides
Smithsonian Arab American History
What to Listen To:
What to Watch:
Ted Talks
3 lessons on success from an Arab businesswoman
Don't Erase Me: The Modern Arab American | Jeremiah Stinnett
May 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Haitian Heritage Month | May 1-31, 2026 | |
May 1-31, 2026 | ||
Jewish Heritage Month | May 1-31, 2026 | |
Mental Health Awareness Month | May 1-31, 2026 | |
Military Appreciation Month | May 1-31, 2026 | |
May Day/International Worker’s Day | May 1, 2026 | |
Vesak | Buddhism | May 1, 2026 |
National Military Spouse Appreciation Day | May 8, 2026 | |
Mother’s Day | May 10, 2026 | |
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia | May 17, 2026 | |
Shavuot | Jewish | May 21-23, 2026 |
Harvey Milk Day | May 22, 2026 | |
Africa Day | May 25, 2026 | |
Memorial Day | May 25, 2026 | |
Eid al-Adha | Islamic | May 27, 2026 |
Ascension Thursday | Christian, Protestant | May 29, 2026 |
Where to go
Places to go in NYS Run by AAPI Leaders
Art Escapes: Virtual Tours Through Asia
Virtual Asian American Art Museum (VAAAM)
Unexpected Virtual Tours and Training AAPI Heritage Month
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art – Virtual Tour
New York Public Library: Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
What to Watch
PBS Celebrates AAPINH Month What to Watch and Stream
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: What to Watch on WORLD in May
Films on Demand AAPINH Heritage Month
Alexander Street Streaming Video: AAPINH Heritage Month
Asian Americans (PBS)
The long history of racism against Asian Americans in the U.S. (PBS)
What to Listen to
Music
Asian Americans (Original Soundtrack)
Podcasts
15 Best Podcasts From AAPI Creators to Add to Your List
Oral Histories
Las Vegas Asian American & Pacific Islander Oral History Project
UCLA Asian American Studies Center Collective Memories
Stanford AAPI Community Oral Histories
What to Read
UC Berkeley Asian American Lib Guide
Must-Read Books for AAPINH Heritage Month
Books about Oceania & Pacific Islands
The long history of US racism against Asian Americans, from 'yellow peril' to 'model minority' to the 'Chinese virus'(The Conversation)
Haitian Heritage Month
Where to “go”
Haitian Heritage Museum (Miami)
Haitian Art Society Virtual Tour
Haitian American Museum of Chicago
What to Watch
Alexander Street Streaming Video: Haitian Experiences
What to Listen to
Oral Histories – Haitian Stories
Music
Podcasts
What to Read
Haitian American Alliance Page
Library of Congress Lib Guide Haiti
UAlbany LibGuide:Carribean Studies
Jewish Heritage Month
Where to go
National Museum of American Jewish History Tours
What to Watch
Films on Demand: Jewish American
Alexander Street Streaming Video: Jewish American Experiences
What to Listen to
Oral Histories
Hidden Voices: Untold Stories in NYC History
Hidden Voices: LGBTQ+Stories in US History
Bernice Sandler: Godmother of TitleIX
American Jewish Committee Oral History Collection
Aileen H. Clyde 20th Century Women’s Legacy Archive: Jewish American Oral Histories
Podcasts
American Jewish Music from the Milliken Archive
Music
The Best of Jewish Music and Songs
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Jewish American Jazz)
What to Read
Empire State University LibGuide Jewish American History
California State University Northridge: Jewish Identity in the US
Books to read for Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish Book Council : American Jewish Experiences
Indian, South Asian/Desi Heritage Month.
Where to go
India Heritage Museum in Rochester NY
Where to explore Indian, South Asian/Desi Culture in NYC
Ministry of Culture of India: Virtual Tours of Museums
The Met: Art of South and Southeast Asia
Hindu Temple Society and Cultural Center Capital District
What to Watch
Films on Demand: South Asian Experiences
Alexander Street Streaming: India
South Asian American Digital Archive
Documentaries - India, Pakistan and South Asia
What to Listen to
Music
Podcasts
11 Amazing Desi Podcasts worth the Listen
Oral Histories
UC Libraries The Southeast Asian Archive
Southeast Asian Lives and Stories
University of Washington: South Asian Oral History Project
UMass Lowell: Southeast Asian Digital Archive Oral History Project
What to Read
Northern Illinois University LibGuide
University of Washington LibGuide
University of Michigan LibGuide
University of London South East Asian Studies LibGuide
South Asian Heritage Month: 10 books to read from the Booker Library
Mental Health Awareness Month:
Resources:
Health and Wellness Empire State University
New York State Office of Mental Health
Mental Health and Wellness Information
Mental Health Resources Office of Employee Relations
What to Read:
All Mental Health Articles Harvard Health
9 unexpected things we learned about mental health and our brains in 2024
Recent Mental Health News American Medical Association
Mental Health Resources for Military Families: A Support Guide
What to Watch:
8 Signs that Someone is Battling Mental Health Problems
Your Mental Health in College Crash Course
What to Listen to:
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Podcast
Mental Illness Happy Hour Apple Podcasts
Therapy for Black Girls Apple Podcasts
Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch Apple Podcasts
June 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
African American Music Appreciation Month | June 1-30, 2026 | |
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month | June 1-30, 2026 | |
Corpus Christi | Christian | June 4, 2026 |
Muharram ( Al Hijah New Year) | Islamic | June 16, 2026 |
Juneteenth | June 19, 2026 | |
Summer Solstice | June 21, 2026 | |
Father’s Day | June 21, 2026 |
All Month National Caribbean American Heritage Month
Where to “go”
Island Imprint Virtual Gallery Tour
Caribbean American Heritage Month Events The New York Public Library
Events for May 2025 – Haiti Cultural Exchange
What to Watch
Sundance: Five Films to Explore the Caribbean American Experience
On the Town: Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage, PBS
What to Listen to
Music
Tidal Caribbean American Heritage Month Music Playlist
Vevo Celebrates Caribbean American Heritage Month
Podcasts
Carry On Friends: Caribbean American Podcast
New Books in Caribbean Studies
Strictly Facts: A Guide on Caribbean History and Culture
Oral Histories
Caribbean Oral Histories on the Climate
UMiami Libraries Digital Collections Caribbean Diaspora Oral Histories
What to Read
Caribbean American History and Culture
Top 10 Caribbean American Heritage Month Activities
19 Books to Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage
Caribbean-American Heritage Month - Guides at Orange County Library System
All Month LGBTQ Pride Month
Where to “go”
LGBTQ History Tour Greenwich Village NYC
Where to Celebrate Pride 2024 in NYS
LGBTQIA+ Museum Tour Virtual Reality
What to Watch
Library of Congress: Storytelling Panel - Millennium Stage (February 3, 2020) External
Audre Lorde reading her poems with comment in the Recording Laboratory, Feb. 23, 1977
Conversation with Author André Aciman
Stonewall Uprising Interviews External
What to Listen to
Music
Spotify: Music for Pride Month
Youtube: Best LGBT Songs of 2024
Oral Histories
The LGBTQ Oral History Project
Princeton LGBTQIA Oral History Project
“Breaking the Silence: Our Military Stories”
Podcasts
8 LGBTQ+ Podcast That should be on your Radar
What to Read
SUNY Empire LibGuide: Pride Month
University of Chicago – LGBTQIA Studies
Library Of Congress Resource Page
Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Gender, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+
Inclusion
LGBTQ Resource List
Being an LGBTQ+ Ally
Pronoun Guide(GLESEN)
LGBTQ Glossary
All Month Black/African American Music Month
What to Watch
JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC MONTH! HERE ARE 23 FILMS TO REVISIT IN ITS HONOR
What to Listen to
Music
Spotify: Black Music Month Playlist
Black Music Month Playlist 2020
Podcasts
For the Culture: The History of Black Music
Black Music Month QLS Classic: Stokely
What to Read
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – African American Music Archives
African American Music Appreciation Month: Multimedia Resources
NY Public Library : Celebrating African American Music Month
July 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
Disability Pride Month | July 1-31, 2026 | |
Independence Day | July 4, 2026 | |
Nelson Mandela International Day | July 18, 2026 | |
Indian/South Asian/Desi Heritage Month | July 18 - August 17, 2026 | |
Tisha B’Av | Jewish | July 22-23, 2026 |
Asalha Puja Day | Buddhist | July 29, 2026 |
Where to Go
Best Wheelchair Friendly hiking trails in NYS
Access Pass NYS Parks Accessibility Information
NYS Trail Designed for Neurodivergent Adventurers
12 Wheelchair Accessible Tours in NYC
Travel for All Travel Planning for Individuals with Disabilities
Virtual Museum Tours
Pathways to Equality: The U.S. Women’s Rights Movement Emerges
Standing Up for Change: African American Women and the Civil Rights Movement
Legislating History: 100 Years of Women in Congress
One Life: Dolores Huerta
Bernice Abbott Changing New York
What to Watch
Visionary Voices Interviews – Temple University
Documentaries to Watch during Disability Pride Month
11 Movies of TV Shows with Authentic Disability Representation
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution – a documentary film directed, written, and co-produced by Nicole Newnham and James LeBrecht.
What to Listen to
Music
RAMPD – Recording Artist and Music Professionals with Disabilities - Tidal
Chicago Public Library – Music for Disability Pride Month
Lucas Garrett Music – Empire State University Alum!
Podcasts
Claiming Disability Inc: You Belong Here
Oral Histories
Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement
Visionary Voices Oral Histories
The History of the Sports Wheelchair,
The Intersection of Race and Disability Project
Here. Stories from Selinsgrove Center
What to Read
Websites
National Disability Rights Network – Accessibility Guidelines
Intersection of Race and Disability Project
The Disability Visibility Project - Founder and Director, Alice Wong, disabled activist and writer.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
CAST (Equitable and Inclusive Learning Services)
Books
Books for Disability Pride Month
Academic Ableism: Disability in Higher Education, by Jay Timothy Dolmage
August 2026
Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
---|---|---|
National Civility Month | August 1-31, 2026 | |
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples | August 9, 2026 | |
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition | August 23, 2026 | |
Women’s Equality Day | August 26, 2026 |
Places to visit:
Capitol Walk-In Tours Visit the Empire State Plaza & New York State Capitol
Honoring Our Veterans Virtual Veterans Hall of Fame
Library of Congress Virtual Tours
Virtual Tours of the U.S. Capitol
New York City Hall Virtual and In-Person Tours
Women of Distinction New York State Senate
To read:
What Is Civil Discourse - Civics For Life
Setting Ground Rules - Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions
8 Strategies To Enhance Civil Discourse In A Divided World
How to Stay Open and Curious in Hard Conversations
Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Emily Gregory
To listen to:
Civil Discourse Podcast - VCU Scholars Compass
Many Voices, One Call Podcast | SUNY Schenectady
Civility, conversations on how to regain civility in society
To watch:
Engaging Differences Video Series
Civil Discourse | All Show Broadcast Times
Competencies in Civil Discourse | Video Series from Cato Institute
Constructive Dialogue: Videos - Respectful Conversation
Websites:
National Institute For Civil Discourse - Engaging Differences Constructively
Civil Discourse: An American Legacy Toolkit
Civil Discourse Toolkit - Center for Civil Dialogue & Civic Engagement