


2025-2026 DEI Calendar

Diversity and Inclusion Holiday and Observance Calendar
September 2025
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | ||
| Islamic | September 4-5, 2025 | |
| Orthodox Christian | September 8, 2025 | |
| September 10, 2025 | ||
| September15 - October 15, 2025 | ||
| September 21, 2025 | ||
| Wiccan, Neopagan | September 21,2025 | |
| September 22-24, 2025 | ||
| Hindu | September 22 - October 2, 2025 |
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October 2025
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| October 1-31, 2025 | ||
| Jewish | October 1-2, 2025 | |
| Jewish | October 6-13, 2025 | |
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day | October 13, 2025 | |
| October 13, 2025 | ||
| Jewish | October 14, 2025 | |
| Jewish | October 14-15, 2025 | |
| Theravada Buddhist | October 7 - November 5, 2025 | |
| Hindu, Sikh | October 18-23, 2025 | |
| Wiccan, Neopagan | October 31,2025 |
Where to go:
Virtual Tours:
What to Read:
What to listen to:
Oral Histories
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What to Watch:
Where to Go:
To Read:
To Listen to:
Podcasts
Oral Histories
To Watch:
Filipino American Heritage Month
Where to go:
What to read:
To Listen to:
Oral Histories:
To Watch:
LGBTQIA+ History Month
To Visit:
To Read:
To Listen to:
Podcasts:
Oral Histories:
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To Watch:
Global Diversity Awareness Month:
To Watch:
To Listen to:
To Read:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
November 2025
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| November 1-30, 2025 | ||
| Christian | November 1, 2025 | |
| Christian | November 2, 2025 | |
| November 11, 2025 | ||
| Eastern |
November 15-December 25 (some Eastern rites) November 24-January 7 (some Eastern rites) |
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November 21, 2025 |
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| Roman Catholic |
November 23, 2025 |
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| November 27, 2025 | ||
| November 28, 2025 | ||
| Western | November 30-December 24, 2025 |
National Native American Heritage Month
Maps:
Where to Go:
Virtual Tours:
In New York State:
- New York, NY
Howes Cave, NY
Victor, NY
NY
Salamanca, NY
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What to Listen To:
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Veteran and Military Families Month
Places to go:
In New York State:
Virtual Tours:
To Read:
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To Listen To:
Oral Histories:
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To Watch:
December 2025
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Christian | December 8, 2025 | |
| Roman Catholic | December 8. 2025 | |
| Buddhism | December 8, 2025 | |
| Jewish | December 14-22, 2025 | |
| Wiccan, Neopagan | December 21, 2025 | |
| Christian | December 25, 2025 | |
| African American and Pan-African | December 26, 2025 - January 1, 2026 |
What to Read:
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What to Watch:
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January 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | ||
| Roman Catholic | January 1, 2026 | |
| Christian | January 6, 2026 | |
| Eastern/Western | January 6, 2026 | |
| Orthodox Christian | January 7, 2026 | |
| some Eastern rites | January 7, 2026 | |
| Islamic | January 16, 2026 | |
| January 19, 2026 | ||
| Hindu | January 23, 2026 | |
| January 27, 2026 |
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In January we also recognize:
January 16th-
January 20th-
"The time is always right to do what is right.”
Martin Luther King Jr. (Aug. 28, 1963)
We encourage the 91ºÚÁÏÍø Empire community to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by “cultivating a beloved community mindset through service” — not just on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but all year long.
We’ve put together some online and statewide resources for getting involved in and giving back to your community. We hope you take the time to explore and participate in some of them. We encourage you to listen to Dr. King’s famous “” speech. This 17-minute speech might just inspire you to start or renew your commitment to Dr. King’s vision of creating a “Beloved Community.” You can also visit The King Center website at to learn more about Dr. King’s life and legacy.
We’ve also put together a list of recommended readings, movies, and other resources that encompass everything from racial and social justice and the ongoing struggle for voting rights to equal treatment under the law. Have a recommendation? Let us know at ODEI@sunyempire.edu!
For questions about 91ºÚÁÏÍø's participation in the National Day of Service, email advancementevents@sunyempire.edu.
For more resources, volunteering opportunities and ways to keep the momentum going throughout the year, visit the w±ð²ú±貹²µ±ð.
Volunteer Opportunities Near You:
Buffalo Region
- : Literacy Buffalo Niagara aims to ensure that all people in Erie and Niagara counties are literate by providing free tutoring and literacy skills resources. To become a Literacy Buffalo Niagara volunteer, please apply on their website.
- : The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor is a nationally and internationally recognized Buffalo neighborhood that serves as the focal point of residents’ and visitors’ experience for learning about Buffalo’s rich African American history through its vibrant neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, unique structures, historical markers, people and institutions, as well as its significant impact on local, national and international history.
- : Project Flight is a not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting literacy in children and caregivers, through school and family literacy initiatives. They need new books for children ages 0-12, especially chapter books. Call Melissa Blattner at 716-858-8608 to organize a book drive or donate new books.
Capital Region
- : Literacy Volunteers of the Capital Region empowers students to advocate for themselves, teaches students to read, write, and speak English, and provides education to the larger community on literacy issues. To volunteer, you must first complete an online orientation which can be found on their website.
- : Sexual assault hotline advocates provide crisis intervention, support, information and referrals to survivors of sexual assault on the phone or in Albany County hospitals. All advocates must complete 35 hours of training prior to serving on the hotline.
- : Volunteers needed for a variety of programs at the Mission, including tutoring, maintenance, clothing ministry, preparing meals, or volunteering in the free medical clinic. They are in need of Spanish-speaking interpreters who can translate at the clinic on Tuesdays, Thursday evenings, or Fridays. Contact: Hope Smith, Volunteer Coordinator, at vcoordinator@albanymission.com.
- : The Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts new and used building materials, furniture, appliances, and other home goods, and sells them to raise money to support affordable homeownership. Sign up for a shift on their website.
- : A community-based organization, is hosting a series of events in Saratoga Springs to honor and celebrate Dr. King and his legacy. Events include discussions with authors, music and art events, and a panel on restorative justice in schools which our colleague Dr. Heather Reynolds helped put together based on her Imperatore Fellowship work on school safety. Sign up to volunteer on their website.
- : The RED Bookshelf is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring children to read. For information about volunteering email volunteers@theredbookshelf.org.
- : When a child escapes abuse within their home, they need support to weather the crisis, heal, and move forward. Things of My Very Own, Inc. is a lifeline for children fleeing abuse. From providing basic necessities to teaching life skills that instill confidence and self-worth, our services lift fragile children from a place of harm to one of hope. 91ºÚÁÏÍø to volunteer on their website.
Long Island
- Every volunteer plays an important role in the mission to improve the quality of life for people who are blind, visually impaired or have other special needs. 91ºÚÁÏÍø to volunteer on their website.
- : Long Island Crisis Center provides 24/7, free, high-quality, confidential and non-judgmental programs and services to support and empower Long Islanders at critical times in their lives. 91ºÚÁÏÍø to volunteer on their website.
Rochester Region
- : This organization is a premier accredited member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH), and a 501(c)(3) non-profit facility serving those with disabilities, veterans and at-risk youth. Equine-related programs currently offered include therapeutic horseback riding, horsemanship, and Heroes for Horses, a program that uses a variety of equine-related therapies to help war veterans and their families. To get involved, fill out the volunteer form on their website.
- : This Rochester-based nonprofit is dedicated to ending hunger and building healthier communities by addressing the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity. They serve as the hub of the emergency food system across a 10-county service area. Volunteers are needed! To volunteer, sign up on their website
New York City Region
- : Featuring hip-hop, graphic-design, and fine-arts programs, Art Start targets low-income and homeless youth. Volunteers, many of whom are professional artists, lead classes in their area of expertise, from drumming to short-story writing. Call 800-224-0990 for volunteer opportunities, or apply on their website.
- : Brooklyn Public Library, the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions, offers thousands of free programs every day for people from all walks of life. For volunteering opportunities, visit .
- : The city’s largest hunger-relief organization, Food Bank for New York City helps low-income New Yorkers overcome their circumstances and achieve greater independence. Volunteers play a central role in powering Food Bank’s mission. They have virtual and on-site volunteer opportunities. For volunteer opportunities, apply on their website.
- : This Lower East Side group serves a largely Asian and Hispanic community. Its services include a mental-health clinic, a shelter for battered women, an arts center, and day-care centers. Volunteer as a tutor, a computer programmer, a job coach, or a teacher’s assistant. 91ºÚÁÏÍø for volunteer shifts on their website.
- : Teach English and American-culture classes at this language-learning center in Chelsea, where students are foreign-born newcomers to New York (a standard commitment is two hours a week for six months). Volunteers are needed for written and conversational instruction. Donations help fund scholarships for the neediest students. Call 212-255-9555 for more information regarding donations. To volunteer, inquire on their website.
Inspirational Reading
- A Child Shall Lead Them: Martin Luther King Jr., Young People, and the Movement, by Rufus Burrow
- Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life, by Marshall Frady
- Parting the Waters: America in the King Years, 1954-63, by Taylor Branch
- The Heavens Might Crack: The Death and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., by Jason Sokol
- The Promise and the Dream: The Untold Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. And Robert F. Kennedy, by David Margolick
- Toward the Beloved Community: Martin Luther King, Jr., and South Africa, by Lewis V. Baldwin
- We Shall Overcome: Martin Luther King Jr., and the Black Freedom Struggle, by Peter J. Albert and Ronald Hoffman
- All the White Friends I Could Not Keep, by Andre Henry
- America, Goddam: Violence, Black Women, and the Struggle for Justice, by Treva B. Lindsey
- Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration, by Lewis-Giggetts
- Black on Black: On Our Resilience and Brilliance in America, by Daniel Black
- Driving the Green Book: A Road Trip Through the Living History of Black Resistance, by Alvin Hall
- Healing Justice Lineages: Dreaming at the Crossroads of Liberation, Collective Care and Safety, by Erica Woodland and Cara
- How to Know a Person, by David Brooks
- I Never Thought of It That Way, by Monica Guzman
- Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen, by George McCalman
- King: A Life, by Jonathan Eig
- Letters to the Sons of Society, by Shaka Senghor
- Redeeming Justice, by Jarret Adams
- Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey
- The Sum of Us, by Heather McGee
- Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements, by Charlene Carruthers
- We Want to Do More Than Survive, by Dr. Bettina Love
- You are Your Best Thing, by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown
- You Belong, by Sebene Selassie
Recommended Podcasts
Media Available from the Online Library Collection
February 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| February 1-28, 2026 | ||
| February 1, 2026 | ||
| Wiccan, Neopagan | February 1, 2026 | |
| Jewish | February 1-2, 2026 | |
| Islamic | February 2, 2026 | |
| Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic | February 2, 2026 | |
| February 14, 2026 | ||
| Buddhist, Hindu | February 15, 2026 | |
| February 15, 2026 | ||
| Hindu | February 15, 2026 | |
| February 16, 2026 | ||
| Buddhist | February 17, 2026 | |
| Islamic | February 17 - March 19, 2026 | |
| Christian | February 18 - April 2, 2026 | |
| Christian, Roman Catholic | February 18, 2026 | |
| February 19, 2026 | ||
| Orthodox Christian | February 23 - April 11, 2026 |
Where to go:
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Media: Read, Watch, and Hear
Black History
Ally Resources
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Understanding Racial/Cultural Impact
Self-Care Resources
- Student of Color Crisis Support through The Steven Fund: Text ‘STEVE’ to 741741 and be connected to support immediately for students of color feeling stressed or overwhelmed. â¶į
Toolkits and Trainings
Oral Histories
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March 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodox Christian | March 1, 2026 | |
| Jewish | March 2-3, 2026 | |
| Buddhist | March 3, 2026 | |
| Hindu | March 4, 2026 | |
| March 8, 2026 | ||
| Islamic | March 16, 2026 | |
| Islamic | March 20, 2026 | |
| March 21, 2026 | ||
| March 25, 2026 | ||
| Hindu | March 26, 2026 | |
| Christian | March 29, 2026 | |
| March 31, 2026 | ||
| Hindu | March 31 - April 1, 2026 |
To Read:
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Podcasts:
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To Watch:
Where to go:
Virtual Gallery Tours:
April 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| April 1-30, 2026 | ||
| Jewish | April 1-9, 2026 | |
| Buddhist | April 2, 2026 | |
| Orthodox Christian | April 2, 2026 | |
| Christian, Protestant, Roman Catholic | April 2, 2026 | |
| Christian, Protestant, Roman Catholic | April 3, 2026 | |
| Orthodox Christian | April 3, 2026 | |
| Christian, Protestant, Roman Catholic | April 4, 2026 | |
| Christian | April 5, 2026 | |
| Orthodox Christian | April 12, 2026 | |
| April 13-14, 2026 | ||
| April 22, 2026 |
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Arab American Heritage Month
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May 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| May 1-31, 2026 | ||
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May 1-31, 2026 | |
| May 1-31, 2026 | ||
| May 1-31, 2026 | ||
| May 1-31, 2026 | ||
| May 1, 2026 | ||
| Buddhism | May 1, 2026 | |
| Wiccan, Neopagan | May 1, 2026 | |
| May 8, 2026 | ||
| May 10, 2026 | ||
| Eastern/Western | May 14, 2026 | |
| May 17, 2026 | ||
| Jewish | May 21-23, 2026 | |
| May 22, 2026 | ||
| Eastern/Western | May 24, 2026 (Western) and May 31, 2026 (Eastern) | |
| May 25, 2026 | ||
| May 25, 2026 | ||
| Islamic | May 27, 2026 | |
| Christian, Protestant | May 29, 2026 |
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Haitian Heritage Month
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Mental Health Awareness Month:
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June 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| June 1-30, 2026 | ||
| June 1-30, 2026 | ||
| Christian | June 7, 2026 | |
| Islamic | June 16, 2026 | |
| June 19, 2026 | ||
| June 21, 2026 | ||
| Wiccan, Neopagan | June 21, 2026 | |
| June 21, 2026 |
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July 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| July 1-31, 2026 | ||
| July 4, 2026 | ||
| July 18, 2026 | ||
| July 18 - August 17, 2026 | ||
| Jewish | July 22-23, 2026 | |
| Buddhist | July 29, 2026 |
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, by Jay Timothy Dolmage
August 2026
| Holiday/Observance | Religious Affiliation | Date |
|---|---|---|
| August 1-31, 2026 | ||
| Wiccan, Neopagan | August 1, 2026 | |
| Eastern/Western | August 6, 2021 | |
| August 9, 2026 | ||
| Eastern/Western | August 15, 2026 | |
| August 23, 2026 | ||
| August 26, 2026 |
Places to visit:
To read:
by Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Emily Gregory
To listen to:
To watch:
Websites: