Newsletter: July 2026 Issue 1
- Cultures Connecting
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Diversity Calendar 2026-2027 is Here!
Our printable Diversity Calendar for 2026-2027 is here! Covering August 2026 to July 2027, this calendar features culturally significant dates to support the diversity of staff and families. By increasing our understanding of diverse cultures, group experiences, traditions, values and beliefs, we can enhance our relationships and create culturally responsive environments where everyone feels valued and respected.
The best way to use this calendar is to consult it before scheduling important events and meetings at your organization. We do our best to include significant dates but if you have suggestions or feedback, we'd love to hear them! Reach out to Judy at judy.lee@culturesconnecting.com or reply to this email.
We also have a Google calendar version for the current 2025-2026 year and will update that to include this calendar at a later time.
Register for our Train the Trainer Workshops!
In celebration of the release of our 2nd edition book, Facilitating Conversations on Race: Strategies for Leading Group Discourse, we have three different Train the Trainer workshop offerings for you to choose from. Watch Dr. Caprice Hollins talk about what excites her most about what this new edition in the 1-minute video below.
Registration for all three training options are open! Have questions? Reach out to Judy at judy.lee@culturesconnecting.com.
Train the Trainer In-Person Workshop
August 13-14, 2026 at 9:00-4:00pm at Pacific Tower in Seattle, WA.
Includes a copy of the book.
Register Here (get $50 off your ticket if you register by July 31st using code EARLYBIRD-50)
Train the Trainer Virtual Workshop
October 7, 8, 9, 2026 at 9:00-12:30pm PT / 12:00-3:30pm ET on Zoom
Train the Trainer Virtual Lunch & Learns
November 3, 10, 17, & 24, 2026 on Zoom
Select however many you want to attend.
Session 1: Leading When Activated, Session 2: When you Disagree, Session 3: Asking Questions with Genuine Curiosity, Session 4: Diving into the Tension.
July is Disability Pride & BIPOC Mental Health Month
BIPOC Mental Health Month raises awareness of the unique mental health challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, including systemic racism, cultural stigma, and barriers to culturally responsive care. Established in 2008 in honor of author and mental health advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, its purpose is to spotlight these disparities while promoting community-centered support and education. Resources that connect BIPOC individuals with culturally competent care include:
Disability Pride Month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990. It celebrates disabled identity and culture while raising awareness of the barriers—physical, social, and systemic—that people with disabilities still face. Its purpose is to shift the narrative from pity or charity toward pride, visibility, and disability justice, honoring the resilience and contributions of disabled communities. People can honor the month by attending or supporting local disability pride events and parades, or by amplifying disabled voices and creators through reading, sharing, or purchasing from disabled-led organizations such as Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund or National Disability Rights Network and businesses, which you can find on the Intentionalist website.
Hooks Global Retreat in Mexico
Our colleague, Karena L. Hooks, is hosting the Choosing ME: Rest Without Guilt. Rise Without Apology retreat on October 11-16 at San Pancho, Mexico.
Join Karena and team for an intimate retreat experience designed for those who spend much of their lives serving and caring for others. This is an opportunity to come up for air, reconnect with yourself, and experience rest, reflection, and nervous system support in community.
Early registration pricing is available through July 31, 2026.
Learn more and apply here or schedule a Retreat Q&A Call at https://calendly.com/hooksglobal.
Ways to Take Action for Change
Download Workbook to Build Resilient Organizations Building Resilient Organizations offers a free work book, Building Resilient Organizations Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis, to help you promote collective impact and practice at your organization. They explain, "progressive organizations are not immune to challenges to leadership, structure, and strategy. Left unchecked, these can become demoralizing and destructive. By recognizing trends that create conflict and rupture political vehicles, and understanding how to address them, we can protect, uplift, and advance both the individual and the organization, maintain our vision, and achieve success." Download your copy at their website today!
It's a new month which means taking a look at our Diversity Calendar to look at significant dates to consider when planning meetings or events to create greater inclusion. Click on the name of the day to learn more.
7/2: 17th of Tammuz (Jewish)
7/3: Black Hair Independence Day (Crown Day) (United States)
7/10: Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá'í)
7/23: Birthday of Haile Selassie (Rastafarian)
7/26: National Disability Independence Day (United States)
7/29: Dharma Day (Buddhist)
If you'd like to add our Diversity Calendar dates to your Google calendar, you can add it using this link.
Upcoming DEIB/Social Justice Events
For details on these and other events, workshops and conferences happening in the social justice space, visit our Events Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to share, please reach out to us!
7/15: ToP Facilitation Methods Workshop
7/16: NAMI LGBTQ+ Support Group
7/17: Resistance Fridays at Common Power
7/19: Riff Raff League for Political Action
7/21: NAMI BIPOC Support Group
7/22: Race Forward Learning Lab: Narrative Change for Racial Equity
...and so much more! Visit our Events Calendar to see the most up-to-date full schedule.
*Cultures Connecting workshop.
