August is National Wellness Month
In August, we celebrate National Wellness Month, prioritizing your self-care, managing stress, and promoting healthy routines. Create wholesome habits in your lifestyle and focus on self care to feel like your best self!
August is Black Business Month
Black Business Month is celebrated in August—it’s a time to acknowledge and appreciate Black-owned businesses across the nation, more especially in your local communities, and all that they represent in the continual striving for diversity, equity and inclusion. On Saturday, August 26, visit the NWA Black Business Expo to find items ranging from vintage clothing and candles, to baked goods, hot tea, alkaline water and samosas from over 100 vendors. This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome!
August is National Eye Exam Month
August is National Eye Exam Month—a timely reminder that getting your eyes checked regularly is an important part of your annual healthcare routine. During this month, be sure to come up with ways to keep your vision clear and healthy.
August is Summer Sun Safety Month
August is Summer Sun Safety Month, which makes this a good time to learn the signs of sun damage and remember the ways you can protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight. Exercising and enjoying time outdoors are important for good health. Staying protected from the sun will allow you and your family to do so safely. Avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day—between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.—when the UV rays are strongest. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Look for sunglasses that block both types of UV radiation—UVA and UVB rays. You should protect your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs, and a broad-brimmed hat that provides more protection than a baseball cap or visor.
August is Back to School Month
Back to school is right around the corner. Workplaces can host a backpack/school supplies drive or could sponsor a school and do something special for the teachers and staff of the school. There could be several great outreach opportunities for the employees, which could be great marketing opportunities for the company. Knowing that parents are facing packed schedules in August and September, employers can focus on helping employees find greater work/life balance (read more from SHRM.)
August 1: Homemade Pie Day
Employers could use a pie social to bring their employees together as a way to celebrate and embrace diversity and equality. It’s no secret that an American favorite is apple pie but employees could bring their own favorites like: cherry pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, key lime pie and others. Since it’s so hot in August, consider having ice cream available for pie a la mode.
August 4: Barack Obama’s Birthday
On August 4, we celebrate the birthday of the U.S.’s first Black president. Some of his most notable achievements include the Affordable Care Act, the Paris climate change agreement, and Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA). He was also awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.
August 5: National Twins Day
Two peas in a pod, mirror images—whatever you call them, twins are a unique miracle, and that’s probably why we have a day called National Twins Day, celebrated over the first full weekend of August each year. Suddenly having two new mouths to feed is by itself a great motivation to make the money necessary to provide and care for your twins. The good news is that your financial motivations will push you to work even when your body is dragging from the reality of caring for twins at home.
August 24: Marlee Matlin’s Birthday
Marlee Matlin is the only hearing-impaired actor to win the Oscar for Best Actor or Best Actress. This is a big win for people with disabilities and shows just how significant representation is. Here are some ways you can be inclusive of deaf culture:
- Speak directly to people instead of their interpreter
- Look directly into the camera when speaking
- Make sure that only one person speaks at a time
- Take meeting minutes and have them distributed
August 26: Women’s Equality Day
Each year on August 26 we celebrate Women’s Equality Day. It commemorates American women gaining the right to vote in 1920. It was passed in Congress in 1973. To celebrate, we suggest creating a women’s mentoring program at your office, donating to a women-focused cause, or checking out a book from the library on your favorite iconic woman. Strengthen your workforce by fostering gender sensitivity and inclusion with diversity training.
August 27: National Just Because Day
National Just Because Day is celebrated on August 27th every year. On this day, you don’t need a reason to celebrate. It’s a day to stop worrying about the whys. It’s a great day to engage in random acts of kindness. Send a thoughtful card to a co-worker or a friend. Give your grandparents a call. Pick up the trash from your neighbor’s yard, just because. Host a day of vegan treats to show your vegan employees that you know they are there and to allow everyone else to experience the delicious treats that they wouldn’t normally consider.