A Hidden Gem in American Black Literature
Hurston, Zora Neale. Dust Tracks on a Road (New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006). This is one of the most wonderful books I’ve read recently. Curiously, I have to thank Google, the internet searching giant, for bringing Dust to my attention. The folks at this prosperous IT Corporation recently had the guts and foresight...
A Month for Rebellion
For the past several months I have crafted the diversity calendar for Diversity Central. This month, as I was compiling my data, I noticed something interesting. More than previously, I noted Independence Days, National Days, Liberation Days. It appeared as if April were a month for rebelling. In this month alone here are the countries...
Holocaust Remembrance Day
This is a day set aside in April to commemorate the Holocaust as it evolved during World War II. Over six million people died in the Holocaust, through starvation, maltreatment, disease, and murder, among other ways. This month I was selected to research a quiz on the Holocaust, and through it learned many interesting things....
Easter as part of a semi-religious family
I grew up with a mother and father who were raised Protestant. They kept it personal, however, not attending church, but rather praying on their own and living the word of God through their actions. I was raised Protestant as well, but was not forced into Sunday School or any other overtly religious practice. I...
Gold Medal Tour seeks donations to educate Americans about untold Japanese-American stories
As part of a 45-day campaign, the National Veterans Network is trying to get the Congressional Gold Medal to tour seven cities in the United States before making a permanent home at the American History Museum. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States, and is given to people who...
Reflections — Coming of Age Day
Research always affirms to transform a prior conception. In researching Japan’s celebrations for Coming of Age Day, I have to admit I got a little jealous. All of the traditions and participation from the entire Japanese society painted a picture that sounded like a lot of fun. It made me a bit sad that American...
January Diversity Calendar
Use this calendar to learn more about diversity and culture in the month of January! January 1, Tuesday Emancipation Proclamation: United States. On this day in 1863 U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves in the rebellious Confederate States. In said Proclamation Lincoln wrote, “…all persons held as slaves within...
Developing a truly global diversity & inclusion strategy: A Walmart best practice
When a company realizes that a domestic diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy is not sufficient to address its global business environment, what’s the best way to proceed? When Sharon Orlopp stepped into the chief diversity officer role at Walmart in 2011, her responsibilities included both domestic and global. It was the first time the company...