EDI Event Ideas for the Office
Organizations are increasingly prioritizing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) because it has been proven that these values are key drivers of success.
According to Boston Consulting Group, organizations with strong EDI efforts increase their revenue by up to 19%.
This is not surprising, as the best talent can be found across the globe, and catering to a single gender, race, or nationality limits the pool of qualified candidates.
Human Resources Team and Employee Resource Groups are trying harder than ever to weave EDI programs that inform, educate and engage their coworkers. That’s why we put together this list of EDI activities for the workplace:
Annual EDI Observances
Organizations have the opportunity to host events that honor cultural heritage months and commemorate pivotal historical events.
Here are 10 meaningful occasions and ways to celebrate at work:
Black History Month in February
Commemorates the achievements and contributions of Black people throughout history. Celebrations include organizing workshops, film screenings, art exhibitions, and lectures highlighting African-American culture and history.
2. International Women’s Day in March
Recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. Your workplace activity could include hosting panel discussions, workshops, or events that honor women's achievements and advocate for gender equality.
3. Asian American Heritage Month in May
Celebrates the culture, history, and contributions of Asian Americans. Try showcasing Asian American art, cuisine, and performances, or organizing educational seminars and cultural exhibitions.
4. Pride Month in June
Honors the LGBTQ+ community's history, promotes acceptance, and advocates for equal rights. Celebrations include pride parades, LGBTQ+ film festivals, workshops on LGBTQ+ issues, and allyship training.
5. Ramadan (varies yearly)
Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. You could try holding educational sessions about Islam and other interfaith dialogues. It’s important to remember that Ramadan follows a lunar calendar…and that’s why you should sign up for our monthly EDI Calendar newsletter.
6. Juneteenth on June 19
Commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Possible celebrations could include discussions on racial equality, incorporating traditions such as musical performances, and supporting local Black businesses by creating a pop-up shop for employees to visit.
7. Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 - October 15
Honors cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities. Think abut cultural festivals, dance performances, art exhibitions, and educational seminars to understand the challenges and lived experiences of this group.
8. Native American Heritage Month in November (USA) or National Indigenous History Month in June (Canada)
Recognizes the heritage, achievements, and ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples. Workplaces are good locations to host storytelling events, art exhibitions, and discussions on Indigenous issues.
9. Disability Awareness Month in March and October
Promotes understanding, inclusion, and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Activities include workshops on disability awareness, accessibility audits, and events that highlight the talents and achievements of people with disabilities.
10. Martin Luther King Day on Third Monday in January
Honors the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy in the fight for racial equality. It’s a great time to advertise volunteer opportunities at a local charity and discussions on racial justice.
While these events offer exciting and enjoyable opportunities for celebration, it is essential to remain focused on their underlying significance.
Consider engaging in observance training—an interactive and informative learning session that delves deeper into the history and impact of these events and provides guidance for moving forward.
Celebrate Cultural Diversity with Food
One of the most effective ways to bring people from diverse backgrounds together is through the universal language of food. Sharing the meals we grew up with, the cherished family recipes, and the authentic dishes that reflect our cultural heritage is a profound and enriching experience.
You can achieve this by attending international food festivals with your coworkers, or by bringing this cultural exchange directly to the workplace. Consider dedicating each month to a specific culture and inviting employees from that background to bring in homemade dishes or arrange catering from local businesses. This fosters a sense of unity, understanding, and appreciation among colleagues.
Here is a list of 3 of the biggest food festivals around the world, to spark inspiration among your team:
Mid-Autumn Festival, China
Also known as the Mooncake Festival, this event is widely celebrated among East Asians on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which typically falls between mid-September to early October.
It holds significance as a time to express gratitude for the autumn harvest and is traditionally marked by the consumption of Mooncakes, a traditional Chinese pastry.
2. Pahiyas Festival, Philippines
As one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in the Philippines, the Pahiyas Festival takes place every May, celebrating a bountiful harvest.
Local residents decorate their homes with fruits, vegetables, and flowers, creating a colorful scene. The festival food includes Kipings, thin rice-flour wafers, and Lucban Longganisa, a flavorful sausage.
3. Oktoberfest, Germany
Originating in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest is an annual festival that spans two weeks, ending on the first Sunday in October.
Initially started to celebrate the marriage of Bavaria's crown prince in 1810, this festival is synonymous with beer and German cuisine. Celebrations include savoring traditional dishes like Schweinebraten (roast pork) and Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes) while enjoying a wide array of beverages.
Diversity Hackathons
A hackathon is an event where people, often programmers and other interested individuals, come together to work intensively on solving a specific problem within a timeframe, typically lasting a few hours or days.
Hackathons are a creative way to challenge employees to work together and find innovative solutions to diversity-related issues within the company.
Here are 6 steps to execute a diversity hackathon that innovates for inclusion:
Step 1: Theme Selection
Prior to the hackathon, conduct a survey to identify key diversity and inclusion challenges within the company. Based on the survey results, the theme for the hackathon is selected. For example, the theme could be "Promoting Gender Diversity in Tech."
Step 2: Cross-functional Teams
Participants are organized into diverse teams that include individuals from different departments, backgrounds, and skill sets. Each team is tasked with developing a tech-based solution to address the chosen diversity and inclusion challenge.
Step 3: Workshops and Resources
To provide participants with the necessary tools and knowledge, your company can host workshops on topics such as unconscious bias, accessibility in tech, and diversity and inclusion best practices. Teams also have access to mentors and subject matter experts for guidance.
Step 4: Hackathon Duration
The hackathon typically spans a full day or a weekend to allow teams enough time to ideate, develop, and present their solutions.
Step 5: Judging and Prizes
A panel of judges, including company leaders and diversity and inclusion advocates, evaluates the teams' solutions based on criteria like innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. Prizes are awarded to winning teams, which could include funding to further develop their solutions or the opportunity to present their ideas to the company's leadership.
Step 6: Implementation
The winning solutions are considered for implementation within the company. Employee motivation behind this hackathon will increase if there is an organizational commitment to integrating the winning ideas into its diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Hackathon Example: Walmart’s CodeHers Coding Challenge
In response to the underrepresentation of women in the tech industry, Walmart initiated the CodeHers program. This hackathon is designed exclusively for female students enrolled in engineering colleges across India, offering them the chance to engage in a coding challenge.
The highest-performing coders are granted the opportunity to interview for full-time software engineering positions within Walmart Global Tech. This hackathon serves as a platform for Walmart to identify and recruit India's top engineering talent.
Inclusive Community Engagement
Volunteerism has gained significant traction within the corporate world. In recent years, 47% of U.S. companies introduced community volunteer programs, reflecting a 40% surge from 2014.
This rise can be attributed to compelling evidence proving the benefits of volunteer programs such as heightened productivity, enhanced employee engagement, improved recruitment and retention rates, and better overall employee mental and physical well-being.
For companies to truly reap the rewards of volunteering, effective program structuring is essential. One common misstep is implementing programs that primarily align with executive agendas or simply replicating others' initiatives.
For example, a survey encompassing 500 employees across 50 companies with volunteer programs uncovered insights into participation trends. Employees often opted out of volunteering due to logistical challenges, such as distant locations, or a lack of interest in the programs offered. To ignite genuine engagement, it is imperative to identify volunteering opportunities that resonate with your workforce.
Community Engagement Example: Salesforce’s 1-1-1 Model
Salesforce is an example of a company with a unique philanthropic mindset and volunteering initiative.
Their innovative "1-1-1 Model" includes several key components:
Donating 1% of its equity to the Salesforce Foundation, which champions philanthropic causes
Allocating 1% of employee time for volunteering by providing 7 paid days off annually
Offering 1% of their products to nonprofits and educational institutions free of charge.
This has ignited the Pledge 1% movement, inspiring other companies to follow suit in dedicating their resources, time, and products to meaningful nonprofits.
Salesforce's 1-1-1 Model is unique because it goes beyond traditional corporate philanthropy. It actively involves employees in giving back to their communities and leverages the company's core product to support nonprofit organizations.
This initiative has not only made a significant positive impact on various communities but has also fostered a strong sense of social responsibility among Salesforce employees. It's a prime example of how a company can create a distinctive and meaningful volunteering program that aligns with its values and expertise.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion TED Talks
Listening to the inspiring stories shared by speakers from diverse backgrounds can significantly broaden the perspectives of your employees and serve as a powerful source of motivation.
You can achieve this by organizing TED talks featuring a range of speakers, including industry leaders who discuss their career journeys and how they've overcome workplace diversity challenges.
These talks can also delve into fresh ideas and strategies related to the crucial subject of diversity and inclusion.
TED talks originated from the Technology, Entertainment, and Design conference, where speakers are invited to present their ideas in 18 minutes or less.
This format has gained popularity in recent years for its ability to convey profound ideas succinctly, effectively capturing the audience's attention.
EDI TED Talks for Your Organization:
How to Plan for a Successful EDI Event
Although the type of EDI event your company can host can vary significantly, there is a core foundation in the strategy. Here are 3 ways to set up a successful EDI event:
Identify your Company's Specific Goals and Objectives
It is easy to be overwhelmed with all the possible EDI events you can hold. With each of the suggested ideas above having different levels of impact, it is important to identify what your company wants to achieve and what specific aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion you want to address.
Is it to raise awareness of specific issues or to bring together your team in a fun way?
Establish a Budget and Allocate Resources
Not every company can start a hackathon to the same scale as Walmart, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to host a hackathon at all. Customize your event according to your budget. That may require you to be more resourceful such as tapping into your network to find speakers or experts.
Form a Diverse Event Planning Committee
To ensure the seamless execution of the event, it would be beneficial to establish a dedicated committee focused on organizing EDI-centered events. This guarantees accountability for comprehensive planning and preparation, fostering a sustained commitment to hosting ongoing EDI initiatives rather than one-off occurrences.
The planning and preparation encompass various aspects, such as event promotion, logistical considerations for execution, and post-event assessments conducted through surveys. Comprised of employee volunteers, this committee can also collaborate with employee resource groups for relevant events.
The Ongoing Journey of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
In summary, the impact of well-executed events can be long-lasting and significant.
These initiatives help employees feel a greater sense of belonging, boost mental and physical health, and improve retention rates. Employers can make all the difference with strong EDI efforts, revitalizing the workplace in engaging and purposeful ways.
We hope this list helped spark some ideas for your organization!
…If you’re looking for more EDI event ideas, here is a list of: