National Family Month
National Family Month is celebrated in June. This is a good time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. Use this time to build trust, show commitment, communicate, spend time together, have fun, go hiking or fishing, create memories, show love and affection. Strong families show caring in many ways. No family is perfect but in the end, family is family….the love will always be there.
LGBT Pride Month
Pride Month has become more recognized in the past few years. It is currently celebrated during the month of June to remember the 1969 Stonewall Riots. To celebrate, you could consider holding an LGBTQ inclusion training at work, encourage rainbow clothing, decorate the office with rainbow décor, or host a workshop on how to be a better ally. Remember there’s education (awareness) and then there’s training (practice). When we learn to drive first there’s education, then there’s the training. LGBT inclusion should be approached in the same manner.
African American Music Month
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter declared June would be Black Music Month, now referred to as African American Music Month. This month celebrates the African American musical influences that comprise an essential part of our nation’s treasured cultural heritage. Some of the different genres of music that African Americans have created, inspired and fostered include: sacred music, folk music, blues, military music, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, hip hop and rap.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Caribbean American Heritage Month recognizes all those of Caribbean descent as well as the contributions they made to American society throughout history. You can celebrate this month by making a traditional Caribbean meal or checking a book out of the library about Caribbean history.
June 2: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
The Indian Citizenship Act was passed on June 2, 1924. Congress granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. Unfortunately, this did not grant the right to vote. This right was granted in 1957. Recognize the Indian Citizenship Act today by learning which Native American tribe is in your area.
June 11: Puerto Rican Day Parade
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is a huge celebration of cultural pride for Puerto Ricans in the United States. It seeks to recognize the influence and achievements of individuals from Puerto Rico. Each year, an International Grand Marshall is selected to lead the parade due to their positive contribution to the community.
June 12: Loving Day
On this day in 1967, the Supreme Court legalized interracial marriage. Loving Day is now a global day of visibility, education, and community. It’s often celebrated with backyard BBQs. Invite your neighbors over and celebrate community.
June 19: Juneteenth
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday in the U.S. It commemorates the actual end of slavery in the country. While President Lincoln had declared the end of slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation over two years before, there were still African Americans who had yet to learn of their freedom in Galveston, TX. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that federal troops rode into the city and ensured all slaves were freed.