Monday, July 07, 2025

Celebrating Diversity - July 2025

This month, we celebrate Disability Pride Month, a worldwide opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the disability community and recognize the accomplishments of people with disabilities.

Every member of our human community has the potential to allow us to grow as a species.  We can't exclude someone because they are different, as they will bring a perspective that the group may miss. 

Here are some examples of such inspiring individuals:(AI Provided this list)

Disability Rights Activists and Advocates:

• Judy Heumann: Often referred to as the "Mother of the Disability Rights movement," she fought tirelessly for inclusive education and the rights of people with disabilities.
• Justin Dart Jr.: Known as the "Father of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)," he played a crucial role in advocating for this landmark legislation.
• Haben Girma: The first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School, she is a strong advocate for accessibility and inclusion, particularly digital accessibility.
• Brad Lomax: A disability rights activist and member of the Black Panther Party, he played a key role in advocating for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Johnnie Lacy: An advocate for Black individuals with disabilities, she helped establish the independent living movement and addressed the unique challenges faced by Black women with disabilities. 

Artists and Creatives:

• Frida Kahlo: A renowned Mexican painter who used her art to express her experiences with chronic pain and disability.
• Ludwig van Beethoven: A world-famous composer who continued to create music even after becoming deaf.
• Stevie Wonder: A musical icon, blind from birth, he has been a vocal advocate for civil rights and other social causes.
• Marlee Matlin: An Academy Award-winning actress who has been a prominent advocate for the deaf community. 

Leaders and Innovators:

• Stephen Hawking: A theoretical physicist and cosmologist who made groundbreaking contributions to science despite being diagnosed with ALS.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt: The 32nd President of the United States, who, despite having polio, led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.
• Richard Branson: The founder of Virgin Group, who attributes some of his success to his dyslexia. 

Athletes:

• Tanni Grey-Thompson: A British wheelchair racer who won numerous Paralympic medals and advocates for disability rights.
• Alex Zanardi: A former Formula 1 racer who became a Paralympic gold medalist in adapted cycling after losing both his legs.
• Aaron Fotheringham: A professional wheelchair skater who performs incredible stunts and advocates for inclusion. 

These individuals, and many others, demonstrate that disability is not a barrier to achievement and leadership. Their resilience, talent, and advocacy have enriched society and inspired a more inclusive world for all. 

Monday, June 23, 2025

Celebrating Dannette Dloveslife Brooks

This month, we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month, which honors and celebrates the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean American population.

This month, I celebrate Dannette Dloveslife Brooks, who is from Belize, a Central American country on the Caribbean coast. She was one of my Partners at UPS whom I got to know shortly before I retired from UPS. She has been working hard to build a community of diverse people discussing various topics, as well as running a YouTube channel on local restaurant reviews, Cooking, and her Life experiences. I love her motto: Live, love, laugh, inspire.

Her Facebook Group Conversations with Dannette truly showcases diversity as you see who she has invited and the discussions that are had.

I truly hope she finds the success she is working toward, as she brings immense value to many people.

Her Facebook page

Her Facebook group: (4) Conversations With Dannette | Facebook

Her YouTube Channel: Dloveslife - YouTube

Monday, June 02, 2025

June Diversity Month Themes

This month, we celebrate the following Diversity Holidays in the United States and Canada. We can never forget that our two countries were built on immigration.  Except for Native Americans and in Canada, referred to as "First Nations", we are all ancestors of immigrants. Everyone one of the groups below contributed to our great nations. However, we must also acknowledge that we have done terrible things in the past.  We need to learn from our past and build on our strengths 

Caribbean American Heritage Month honors and celebrates the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean American population.

Immigrant Heritage Month gives people across the United States an opportunity to explore their heritages and celebrate the shared diversity that forms the unique story of their country.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month was established to recognize the impact that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on the world.

National Indigenous History Month in Canada is a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.

Wednesday, May 07, 2025

Celebrating Moses & Zippora

This month, we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, which recognizes the diverse contributions of the Jewish people to American culture. It is also celebrated as Jewish Heritage Month in Canada, and I am celebrating a Jewish Orthodox Couple I follow on Instagram.

Moses and Zippora share regular Q&As about their beliefs, which are quite enlightening. Moses is a Rabbi and definitely the quirky one in the relationship.I really love their explanations of why they do things in their beliefs. I have engaged several times on some of their posts and have felt very welcomed by the community they engage with. Their followers are quick to show resources for further education and understanding.  

I think they lead by example and show why having a spiritual background is essential. 

https://www.instagram.com/mosesandzippora/

Thursday, May 01, 2025

Diversity Month Themes

This month, we celebrate the following Diversity Holidays(1)

Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) honors the rich and diverse contributions of Asian Americans in US history and culture. Celebrated as Asian Heritage Month in Canada.

Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes the diverse contributions of the Jewish people to American culture. Celebrated as Jewish Heritage Month in Canada.

Mental Health Awareness Month (or Mental Health Month) in the US aims to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses.

National Military Appreciation Month is observed in the US to honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, as well as their families.

Older Americans Month honors the legacies and contributions of older Americans and supports them as they enter their next stage of life.

We are not all created the same, nor do we all come from the same ethnic background, but that is what makes the United States so unique. We are a land of immigrants from all walks of life. We must celebrate our differences and build each other up to make us stronger.  When groups don't all think alike, more progress occurs as we see things from different perspectives, and innovations are more likely to occur.

1. Seramount.com