January 2019 – July 2022
In honor of Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11, the Lab created a series of Zoom backgrounds. There is a background for each branch of the military and several backgrounds that honor all U.S. services. https://diversity.lbl.gov/2020/11/10/veterans-day-zoom-backgrounds/
Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday that originated in Mexico which involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died. A common part of those celebrations is the ofrenda, which contains food and memorabilia. Learn more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnCBUJRTQrs
Diwali, commonly referred to as the festival of lights, is India’s most celebrated festival of the year. In 2021 the holiday falls on November 4. gLoBaL ERG members Suksham Barun, Baishakhi Bose, and Sankar Raju Narayanasamy share what this holiday means for them and how they celebrate. https://global.lbl.gov/cultural-celebrations/diwali
Help celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11 by sending good wishes to all the Lab’s veteran employees. Sign the Veterans Day digital board by Wednesday, Nov. 10. https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/X7zGiOFA
Ace Week, which is Oct. 24-30, aims to bring awareness and visibility to asexual-identifying people. Read about the history of Ace Week since its establishment in 2010 as Asexual Awareness Week. https://aceweek.org/stories/the-history-of-ace-week
Intersex Awareness Day is Tuesday Oct. 26 and celebrates individuals that are intersex. Learn about what intersex is, the origin of the day and a list of 26 ways for allies to support this community. https://interactadvocates.org/intersex-awareness-day/
From a young age, Melissa Bañuelos was always trying to get ahead and make every moment count. The Lab’s business operations specialist for the Security and Emergency Services division says it’s a trait she developed growing up as one of three daughters to Mexican émigrés. Read more of her story. https://sites.google.com/lbl.gov/weareberkeleylab/building-community/melissa-ba%C3%B1uelos
The Asian Pacific Islander ERG stands in solidarity with the Afghan people, both here and abroad, as instability and uncertainty continue in Afghanistan. If you need assistance or would like to help those affected, the API ERG has compiled a list of many organizations that provide support. https://diversity.lbl.gov/2021/10/07/lbnl-asian-pacific-islander-erg-statement-of-solidarity-with-the-afghan-community/
Learn all about easy and informative ways to make your meetings inclusive as part of October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month. See “Virtual & Hybrid Meeting Toolkits” at the link. Brought to you by Berkeley Lab’s All Access Employee Resource Group/Inclusive Meetings Initiative. https://ideas-in-action.lbl.gov/topics/inclusive-meetings-events
Join the Latin American & Native American (LANA) Employee Resource Group and DJ Miles Green today at 5:30 p.m. for an evening of Latinx music mixes to wrap up Latin American Heritage Month. https://berkeleylab-erg.lbl.gov/latin-american-and-native-american/latin-american-heritage-month#h.ttaf2cisf2uz