DEI Calendar 2027: Diversity Days and Events for US Workplaces

A DEI calendar gives HR and People teams across the United States a ready-made plan for celebrating diverse cultures, histories and social issues all year round. This DEI calendar for 2027 lists the key diversity days and events month by month, from Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January to World AIDS Day in December, with the 2027 dates for observances that move each year 🇺🇸

Expert speakers can help bring these moments to life. Diversity leader and CDO Asif Sadiq and DEI and inclusion strategist Shivani Uberoi both work with organisations to turn awareness dates into real action, with sessions built around the specific day or month you're marking.

What is a DEI calendar?

A DEI calendar is a year-round list of diversity, equity and inclusion observances, such as heritage months, awareness days and commemorations, that organisations use to plan events, communications and learning. Several dates move each year because they're tied to a weekday, like "the third Thursday in May", so we've given the 2027 date for each of those below.

What are the key DEI days and events in 2027?

January

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January, January 18th in 2027): Honour MLK's legacy with discussions on civil rights, diversity training and volunteering activities.

February

• Black History Month: Highlight the contributions of Black employees and leaders through events, educational resources and internal communications. See our guide to Black History Month facts.

March

• Women's History Month: Recognise the achievements of women in your organisation and beyond with panels, workshops and networking events focused on gender equality.
• Disability Day of Mourning (March 1st): Remember disabled people who have been victims of filicide, and promote disability awareness and support.
• Global Day of Unplugging (first weekend in March, March 5th to 6th in 2027): Encourage work-life balance and wellbeing with a digital detox and mindfulness activities.
• International Women's Day (March 8th): Celebrate the contributions of women and support gender equality initiatives in the workplace.
• International Trans Day of Visibility (March 31st): Raise awareness and support for transgender employees through education and inclusive policies.

April

• Muslim Heritage Month: Acknowledge the contributions of Muslim employees and educate staff about Muslim heritage and culture.
• Autism and Neurodiversity Awareness Month (also called Autism Acceptance Month): Promote understanding and inclusion of neurodivergent employees through training and awareness campaigns. Neurodiversity expert and HR Director Sarah Tancell is a strong fit for sessions marking the month.
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Provide resources and support for employees affected by sexual assault, and offer training on creating a safe and respectful workplace.
• World Autism Day (April 2nd): Increase awareness and acceptance of autistic people through educational events and inclusive practices.
• Earth Day (April 22nd): Organise sustainability initiatives and encourage environmentally friendly practices at work.
• World Book Day (April 23rd): Encourage a culture of learning by promoting reading and sharing book recommendations.

May

• Jewish American Heritage Month: Celebrate the contributions of Jewish employees and educate about Jewish culture and history.
• Mental Health Awareness Month: Promote mental health resources, reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about wellbeing.
• AAPI Heritage Month: Highlight the contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander employees through cultural events and educational initiatives.
• International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, IDAHOBIT (May 17th): Support LGBTQ+ employees by promoting inclusive policies and hosting educational events.
• Global Accessibility Awareness Day (third Thursday in May, May 20th in 2027): Focus on digital accessibility and make sure workplace technology is accessible to all employees.

EXPLORE: PepTalk's top IDAHOBIT speakers.

June

• Pride Month: Celebrate and support LGBTQ+ employees with events, awareness campaigns and inclusive policies.
• Black Music Month: Recognise the cultural contributions of Black and African American musicians and bring music into workplace celebrations.
• Juneteenth (June 19th): Mark the end of slavery in the United States with educational events, discussions and celebrations of African American culture.

EXPLORE: PepTalk's top Juneteenth speakers.

July

• Disability Pride Month: Celebrate the contributions of disabled employees and promote an inclusive workplace culture.
• BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month: Address the mental health challenges faced by BIPOC employees and provide targeted resources and support.
• International Non-Binary People's Day (July 14th): Raise awareness and support for non-binary employees.
• Anniversary of the ADA (July 26th): Reflect on the progress made since the Americans with Disabilities Act and keep promoting accessibility.

EXPLORE: PepTalk's Disability Pride speakers.

August

• Black Business Month: Support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs within your community and network.
• International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9th): Highlight Indigenous cultures and contributions through educational events.
• Women's Equality Day (August 26th): Promote gender equality and celebrate progress towards women's rights.

September

• National Suicide Prevention Week (the week around September 10th): Promote mental health resources and support suicide prevention efforts in the workplace.
• World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th): Share mental health resources and remind employees where to find support.
• Climate Week (usually mid to late September, timed around the UN General Assembly): Engage in sustainability initiatives and encourage environmentally friendly practices.
• Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th to October 15th): Celebrate the contributions and cultures of Hispanic and Latino employees. Explore ideas to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in your workplace.
• Bisexual Awareness Week (September 16th to 23rd): Raise awareness and support for bisexual employees.

October

• National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM): Promote the employment and inclusion of disabled people through awareness campaigns and inclusive hiring.
• ADHD Awareness Month: Build understanding of ADHD at work with speakers, manager training and practical support.
• Filipino American History Month: Celebrate the contributions of Filipino American employees and educate about their culture and history.
• LGBTQ+ History Month: Celebrate LGBTQ+ history and contributions with events and educational initiatives.
• Blindness Awareness Month: Increase awareness and support for employees with visual impairments through accessibility initiatives.
• World Mental Health Day (October 10th): Focus on mental health awareness and support for employees' wellbeing.
• Indigenous Peoples' Day (second Monday in October, October 11th in 2027): Honour Indigenous cultures and contributions through educational events and celebrations.
• National Coming Out Day (October 11th): Support LGBTQ+ employees and promote a culture of acceptance.
• International Pronouns Day (third Wednesday in October, October 20th in 2027): Promote the correct use of pronouns and an inclusive environment for all employees.
• Spirit Day (third Thursday in October, October 21st in 2027): Stand against bullying and support LGBTQ+ young people by wearing purple.
• Intersex Awareness Day (October 26th): Raise awareness and support for intersex people through education and advocacy.

EXPLORE: PepTalk's top mental health speakers.

November

• Native American Heritage Month: Celebrate the contributions and cultures of Native American employees through events and educational resources.
• Movember: Raise awareness of men's health and men's mental health with fundraising and workplace conversations.
• Veterans Day (November 11th): Recognise veteran employees and support military and veteran employee resource groups.
• Transgender Awareness Week (November 13th to 19th): Raise awareness and support for transgender employees through education and inclusive initiatives.
• International Men's Day (November 19th): Focus on men's wellbeing, positive role models and gender equality.
• Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20th): Honour the memory of transgender people lost to violence and promote a culture of acceptance.

December

• World AIDS Day (December 1st): Promote awareness and support for people affected by HIV through education and advocacy.
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd): Highlight accessibility and inclusion for disabled people through awareness campaigns and initiatives.

Recognising and taking part in these events shows your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Each one is a chance to educate, support and celebrate your employees, building a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DEI calendar?

A DEI calendar is a year-round list of diversity, equity and inclusion observances, including heritage months, awareness days and commemorations. Organisations use it to plan events, internal communications and learning so that inclusion work runs across the whole year.

Which DEI dates change each year?

The DEI dates that change each year are the ones tied to a weekday, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Global Day of Unplugging, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, International Pronouns Day and Spirit Day. Heritage months and fixed awareness days fall on the same dates every year.

How should we choose which DEI days to mark?

Choose the DEI days to mark based on your workforce, your employee resource groups and your inclusion priorities. Marking a smaller number of dates well, with a speaker, a discussion or practical change, usually has more impact than acknowledging every date on the calendar.

How far ahead should we book a speaker for a DEI event?

Book a speaker for a DEI event two to three months ahead where you can, and earlier for the busiest periods such as Black History Month, Pride Month and October. Send us a message with your date and brief.

💡 Would you like to mark any of these DEI events with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we'll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Send us a message. Remember, it's always a good time to get a PepTalk!