Building An Inclusive Community
Celebrating and learning about our cultures, identities and backgrounds is an integral part of building an inclusive community. Each month we endeavor to highlight heritage and affinity celebrations in Key publications by providing context to the history of the event and sharing information about regional and virtual activities honoring them. We encourage the exploration and honoring of the diversity of our world throughout the year. It is our intention to center these diverse voices and prompt rich discussions that lead to transformation, inclusion, and justice.
February 2021
February is Black History Month
Black history is American history and should be acknowledged every month, however February gives us an opportunity to explicitly reflect upon and celebrate the contributions and stories of Black people in America. It also invites us to take part in racial justice work and share Black stories of joy, resilience, resistance, love, and excellence.
Attend a Virtual Event
Such as ones provided through The Association of the Study of African American Life and History
"Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Often called the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) and then set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) in 1899. It was first performed in public in the Johnsons' hometown of Jacksonville, FL, as part of a celebration of Lincoln's birthday on February 12, 1900, by a choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Stanton School, where James Weldon Johnson was principal.
Enjoy this beautiful performance of this inspiring work by Aloe Blacc featuring The String Queens at Monticello and view poem and more about the history of this important national work.
Learn more about Black History of the past and present by researching these names:
Kamala Harris
Shirley Chisholm
Barack Obama
Amanda Gorman
Ida B. Wells
Bayard Rustin
Raphael Warnock
Tarana Burke
Ibram X. Kendi
Michelle Alexander
Marsha P. Johnson
Julian Bond
Lloyd Austin
Stacey Abrams
Wilton D.Gregory
Jason Wright
Audre Lorde
Sonia Sanchez
January 2021
January 18 is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Dr. King believed in the power of service. He famously said, "Everyone can be great because everybody can serve." Observing the Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday through service is a way to honor his legacy and to begin each year with a commitment to making our community a better place. Meaningful service projects connect to the life and teaching of Dr. King, meet pressing community needs, and include time to reflect on his teachings. Below are volunteer/service opportunities for the 26th annual celebration of MLK day.
- Service Opportunities
- A Reading of The Letter from Birmingham Jail
January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
This day marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. In Hebrew, Holocaust Remembrance Day is called Yom HaShoah. This year's theme is "Be the light in the darkness"
December 2020 - Honoring Our Community's Varied Celebrations & Holidays
December is a month full of opportunities for multi-cultural celebrations and learning. People all over the world are celebrating and sharing unique traditions and holidays. Learning more about cultures and celebrations, especially for children, offers the opportunity to increase empathy, cultural awareness and appreciation for humanity.
- Winter Solstice
- Saint Nicholas Day (Christian)
- Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexican)
- Lucia Day (Swedish)
- Hanukkah (Jewish)
- Christmas Day (Christian)
- Three Kings Day/Epiphany (Christian)
- Boxing Day (Australian, Canadian, English, Irish)
- Kwanzaa (African American)
- Ōmisoka (Japanese)
- Yule (Pagan)
- Saturnalia (Pagan)
- Other Celebrations
November 2020 - Native American Heritage Month
This month we honor and celebrate the diverse cultures, contributions and history of Indigenous Peoples. We also acknowledge all that we can learn from Indigenous communities presently and historically.
The National Museum of the American Indian Native Cinema Showcase November 18-27
Learn more about the Land You Live On
Land Acknowledgement
Justice Initiatives
Native Veteran's Stories
Books by Indigenous Writers
More Books by Indigenous Writers
"Peace cannot exist without justice, justice cannot exist without fairness, fairness cannot exist without development, development cannot exist without democracy, democracy cannot exist without respect for the identity and worth of cultures and peoples."
– Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Nobel Peace Prize 1992
October 2020
Hispanic/Latin Heritage Month (September 15-October 15)
Please enjoy the following resources in recognition of Hispanic/Latin Heritage Month:
- Equity
- Becoming Joey
- Discussion Questions: How can we welcome José into the learning environment? What is José leaving behind?
- Inclusion
LGBTQ History Month
LGBTQ History Month is a month-long celebration that occurs in October to observe lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. It also honors the history of gay rights. National Coming Out Day (October 11) is also part of LGBTQ History Month. LGBTQ History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1994. It was founded by Missouri high school history teacher Rodney Wilson.
The Queer America Podcast shares LGBTQ history with pride.
Disability Employment Awareness Month
"Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down" - President George H. W. Bush as he signed the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.
In 1945, Congress declared the first week of October "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was dropped to include individuals with all types of disabilities. Congress expanded the week to a month in 1988, and changed the commemoration to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Did you know that sidewalk curb cuts started as civic disobedience in the 70s? In Berkeley, CA, quadriplegic Michael Pachovis and a few friends poured cement to create a ramp and wheeled themselves into the night in a movement that led to thousands of curb cuts to be created across the country. Learn more about the Curb Cut Effect.
June is Pride Month!
As we move through June, I will share resources to celebrate Pride Month!
Below is information and a timeline that details important dates that lead up to the official celebration of Gay Pride. Throughout this month I will share voices from the LGBTQ Community and strategies for creating inclusive school and community environments. All will be posted on the Key's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion webpage.
The Stonewall Riots
June 28, 1969 - In New York, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, which resulted in bar patrons, staff and neighborhood residents rioting onto Christopher Street outside.
June 28, 1970 - On the first anniversary of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn, gay activists in New York organized the Christopher Street Liberation March to cap off the city's first Gay Pride Week. As several hundred people began marching up 6th Avenue toward Central Park, supporters from the crowd joined them. The procession eventually stretched some 15 city blocks, encompassing thousands of people.
June 25, 1978 -The rainbow flag, which has become a universal symbol of hope for LGBTQ people around the world, first flew in San Francisco's United Nations Plaza for Gay Pride Day.It was designed by Gilbert Baker, an openly gay artist and activist.
Here are several resources that may be of interest:
Understanding Gender Webinar on June 1, 2020
Understand Gender as Non-binary
Supporting LGBTQ Students during Social Distancing
Why Gender Pronouns?
"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." ― Audre Lorde
MAY 2020: We celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Month, Jewish American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month
We are excited about the opportunity to honor these important voices in our community. Throughout the month, we'll highlight resources that center these voices.
5/1 - This week, we are sharing the Smithsonian Website which features the diversity of Asia and the Asian experience. Below are a few articles that help us to gain insight into the richness of Asian culture during May and all year. These resources can prompt meaningful discussions at home that may foster learning, empathy and advocacy.
Jenifer Moore
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
I am Asian America
Beyond Bollywood
What is the Model Minority Myth
(In)visible Identity
5/7 - This week we highlight Jewish American Heritage Month. In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month, recognizing over three centuries of Jewish contributions to American culture. The month of May was chosen due to the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004.
The following resources provide some insight in Jewish-American life and diverse stories of aspiration, resilience and determination:
Jewish American History
Addressing Antisemitic Hate with Students
Radio and the Yiddish-American Cultural Renaissance
Jewish Women
The National Register of Historic Places
5/14 - May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While 450 million people world-wide are living with mental illness, everyone faces challenges that can impact mental well-being. Community awareness and de-stigmatization allows for transparent conversations about mental health. Now more than ever, there are environmental impacts that weigh heavily on both students and adults in our community. Here are some statistics:
- Suicide rates have increased by nearly 30 percent across all age groups in the last two decades. (CDC)
- As many as one in five children between ages 3 and 17 have a diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorder. (CDC)
- In 75 percent of all lifetime cases, the onset of mental illness happens by age 24. (NAMI)
- 70 percent of youth in state and local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness. (NAMI)
Inclusive communities teach themselves about mental health because it is imperative to create environments in which everyone thrives by normalizing conversations about mental health.
Here are some links to help in that effort:
Mental Health Month Toolkit
Upcoming Webinars about Mental Health
March is Women's History Month
The first Women's Day took place on February 28, 1909, in New York City. Women's History Week was introduced in 1978, timed around International Women's Day, which the United Nations had begun officially marking in 1975. In 1982, at the request of Congress, President Ronald Reagan made a proclamation announcing Women's History Week, which he continued for several years. The Women's National History Project lobbied for a longer observation and Congress passed a proclamation in 1987 establishing Women's History Month.
At Key, we celebrate the women of our past, present and future. Below are links to several resources you may find of interest as we celebrate Women's History Month!
Jenifer Moore
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Maryland's Events Calendar
Maryland Celebrates the Year of the Woman
Women's History Month
February is Black History Month
Black History Month was started by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Here at Key, students learn about the contributions of African Americans through class discussions, projects, read-ins, literature, and music. Below is a short list of resources, celebrations and events that may be of interest to Key families.
Jenifer Moore
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Local Events
- Prince George's County Black History Month Salute
- African American Heritage Tour
- The Naval Academy Black History Month Celebration
Events in DC
Local Library Family Events