Heritage and Identity Recognition
Throughout the year, certain identities and backgrounds are amplified and celebrated. We recognize that celebrating entire groups of people on a single day, week, or month may feel like an oversimplification. People with systemically marginalized identities live and thrive every single day. We offer this list to amplify the KU community's understanding of the intersectional nature of cultures, histories, scholarship, and people.
January 2023
Annual Events
- Lawrence Public Schools ONE DREAM MLK Celebration
- Lawrence Community MLK Breakfast hosted by Ecumenical Fellowship of Lawrence and the Jayhawk Rotary Club
Learn from Past KU Events
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
February 2023 Featured Events
Resources
- Learn from the 2022 Black History Month keynote, Dr. Eddie Glaude
- Black Faculty Staff Council
- February 1: Liberate Your Research & Teaching – How We Show Up to Our Research. Spotlight on Care series with Dr. Nadine Naber.
- Virtual from 12:00-1:00 PM; register on Zoom.
- February 2: Six-Part Educational Series, "Life as an African American Student at the University of Kansas throughout the Decades," hosted by the KU Medical Center.
- Virtual at 12:00-1:15 PM; register on Zoom.
- February 13: Richard W. Gunn Memorial Lecture featuring Gabrielle Civil: the déjà vu. Gabrielle Civil activates her latest black feminist performance memoir the déjà vu, with flashbacks and premonitions: black dreams & black time. Incorporating reading and storytelling, movement and moving images, the déjà vu—live will blur boundaries between the page and the stage, embodying memory, grief, and love; then and now.
- In Marvin Hall's The Forum at 6:00 PM
- February 16: Inclusive Workspaces: Creating a Sense of Belonging to Improve Satisfaction & Boost Productivity
- A virtual workshop from 1:00-2:30 PM; registration is required.
- February 16:Kenneth Spencer Lecture: An Evening with Ross Gay. This event features Ross Gay, the author of four books of poetry: Against Which; Bringing the Shovel Down; Be Holding; and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, winner of the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2016 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award.
- At Liberty Hall from 7:00-8:30 PM. Tickets are free but must be reserved.
- February 18 - June 25:Dissent, Discontent and Action: Pictures of US by Accra Shepp.
- Ongoing at the Spencer Museum of Art.
- February 18:Annual Black History Month Luncheon hosted by The Black Archives of Mid-America.
- February 22: KU Common Book Speaker: Alice Wong.
- Virtual at 7:30 PM; Registration required.
- February 22: Black Student Persistence: Design a Multi-Layered Strategic Approach to Support Their Unique Needs
- Virtual from 1:00-2:30 PM; registration required.
March 2023
Women’s history month is an annual celebration that commemorates and highlights the contributions that women have made over the course of history.
Resources
International Women's Day
International Trans Day of Visibility
April 2023
Arab American Heritage month is an annual observance that takes place in April to celebrate and honor the contributions of Arab culture. It honors Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.
” Gaypril is a time to celebrate, honor, and bring visibility to folks in the QT community. Being able to locate yourself within Queer and Trans culture is a way straight and cisgender folks can work to make KU a safer community for everyone.” – Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity
Kansas Drag Showcase sponsored by SGD and SUA
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC.) The theme of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2023 is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.”” This April’s Campaign calls on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to change ourselves and the systems surrounding us to build racial equity and respect.”
May 2023
Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage Month celebrates, uplifts and recognizes AAPIDA experiences, history and cultures.
Resources:
Jewish American Heritage Month
June 2023
Pride Month
Juneteenth
July 2023
ADA Anniversary
September 2023
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month: Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is observed from September 15th through October 15th each year. The month recognizes and raises awareness to the diverse history and experiences of Hispanic and Latinx people.
October 2023
LGBTQ+ History Month was created in the 1990s by a gay high school teacher and compliments well-known pride celebrations that take place in April and June. LGBTQ+ History Month is a way for us all to understand the role of queer and trans people in creating social, legal, and political change in the United States. This month can be a commemoration and call to action. There are also several related identity days during October.
Disability Pride & Heritage Month/ National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month: Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is observed from September 15th through October 15th each year. The month recognizes and raises awareness to the diverse history and experiences of Hispanic and Latinx people.
World Mental Health Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October. Since 2019, the University of Kanas has celebrated the week before and the week of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
National Coming Out Day
November 2023
Non-Traditional Student Week
November is Native American Heritage Month. The publication Indian Country Today says that "for Indigenous people across the country, it’s a chance to share the unique ancestry, traditions, and contributions their communities make today and have made throughout history."
First Generation Student Day
Transgender Awareness Week
Transgender Day of Remembrance
December 2023
According to the United Nations, on "World AIDS Day...people around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS." They note that December 1 is also an opportunity to "celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services." (United Nations, World AIDS Day Background)
In 1992, the United Nations proclaimed December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day "aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life." (United Nations, IDPD History)
September 2022
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month raises awareness of and celebrates the diverse history, experiences, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx people.
HispanicHeritageMonth.gov is maintained by several federal agencies and provides in depth information.
Resources
October 2022
Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month raises awareness of and celebrates the diverse history, experiences, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx people.
HispanicHeritageMonth.gov is maintained by several federal agencies and provides a in depth information.
Resources
LGBTQ+ History Month was created in the 1990s by a gay high school teacher and compliments well-known pride celebrations that take place in April and June. LGBTQ+ History Month is a way for us all to understand the role of queer and trans people in creating social, legal, and political change in the United States. This month can be a commemoration and call to action. There are also several related identity days during October:
Resources
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples, and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October. Since 2019, the University of Kanas has celebrated the week before and the week of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Resources
- Native American Initiatives
- Native American Initiatives Annual Events
- First Nations Student Association
- Native Faculty & Staff Council
Since 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) has led this internationally recognized day (with related events) to provide education about mental health and support those who may be suffering.
Events
Resources
November 2022
November is Native American Heritage Month. The publication Indian Country Today says that "for Indigenous people across the country, it’s a chance to share the unique ancestry, traditions, and contributions their communities make today and have made throughout history."
Resources
Transgender Liberation (or Awareness) Week takes place each year from November 13 - 19 in advance of Transgender Day of Resilience/Remembrance (November 20). The week is a time for folks to learn about the experience of trans people - the joys and challenges.
Resources
December 2022
According to the United Nations, on "World AIDS Day...people around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS." They note that December 1 is also an opportunity to "celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services." (United Nations, World AIDS Day Background)
Resources
In 1992, the United Nations proclaimed December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day "aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life." (United Nations, IDPD History)
Resources
- Accessible KU
- KU Student Access Center
- Learn from the 2021 International Day of Persons with Disabilities event
- Faculty Staff Council for Disability Inclusion
- Learn more about disability identities through the DEIB Resource Portal