Diversity, equity and inclusion
Our commitment
Diversity, equity and Inclusion will be the cornerstone of all programs, initiatives and events within the Office of Alumni Relations. We aim to reflect and empower the voices of VCU’s distinctive alumni community. We are committed to creating alumni programming, events and initiatives that recognize, embrace and represent diverse backgrounds, identities, viewpoints and lived experiences. The Office of Alumni Relations provides a safe, trusting and supportive environment to explore, create, learn and serve. We will not tolerate or condone discrimination.
We strive to incorporate the following principles in all that we do:
- Diversity: The wide variety of shared and different personal and group characteristics among human beings.
- Inclusion: Authentic and empowered participation in decision-making processes in ways that lead to equity.
- Equity: The state, quality or ideal of being just, impartial and fair.
Cultural observances
In 2024, the Culture, Values and Diversity Committee of the VCU Alumni Council launched the cultural observances effort that raises awareness of the observances celebrated by the various cultures and populations reflected in the VCU community.
Learn more about the VCU Alumni council.
- January
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Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Day
- February
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Feb. 1-29: Black History Month
Feb. 7-8: Lailat al Miraj
Feb. 8-10: The Tibetan Buddhist New Year
Feb. 10: Lunar New Year
Feb. 12: Ash Wednesday
Feb. 14: Vasant Panchami
Feb. 20: World Day of Social Justice
Feb. 24: Lantern Festival
- March
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March 1-31: National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
This monthlong observance highlights how people with and without disabilities come together to form strong communities.March 1: Zero Discrimination Day
This day spotlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change to end all forms of discrimination.March 8: International Women’s Day
On this global day, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.March 10: Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.March 17: St. Patrick's Day
Also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick, this religious and cultural holiday is held on the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland.March 24: Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter and commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honor Jesus as he entered the city.March 29: Good Friday
This Christian holiday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
This annual day is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.
- April
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April 1-30: Celebrate Diversity Month
Celebrate Diversity Month recognizes and honors the diversity of the world around us.April 1-30: Autism Acceptance Month
This month long observance raises awareness of autism, promotes acceptance and celebrates each individual's unique differences.April 1-30: Deaf History Month
Deaf History Month honors the contributions of deaf individuals and the deaf community, while encouraging advocacy for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.April 1-30: National Arab American Heritage Month
This month long observance celebrates Arab Americans and their contributions to our country. It urges people to combat Anti-Arab bigotry and challenge stereotypes and prejudices.April 9-10: Eid Al-Fitr
This is a Muslim festival marking the end of the fast of Ramadan.April 15: National American Sign Language Day
This observance celebrates American Sign Language, honors its unique heritage and encourages opportunities for connection.April 22-April 30: Passover
Passover is a Jewish celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of Exodus in the Old Testament of the Bible.
- May
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May 1-31: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May 1-31: Jewish American Heritage Month
May 1-31: Mental Health Awareness Month
May 1-31: National Military Appreciation Month
May 5: Cinco De Mayo
May 12: Mother's Day
May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity Dialogue & Development
May 27: Memorial Day
- June
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June 1-30: Carribean American Heritage Month
June 1-30: Immigrant Heritage Month
June 1-30: LGBTQIA / Pride Month
June 19: Juneteenth
- July
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July 1-31: Disability Pride Month
July 4: Independence Day
July 14: International Nonbinary People's Day
July 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day
July 27: Black Women's Equal Pay Day
July 30: International Day of Friendship
- August
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August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
August 15: India Independence Day
August 26: Women's Equality Day
- September
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Sept. 1-30: Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 1-30: Inter-generational Month
Sept. 4: Labor Day
Sept. 15: Latin Heritage Month
Sept. 16: Mexican Independence Day
Sept. 15: Rosh Hashanah
Sept. 18:  International Equal Pay Day
Sept. 23: International Day of Sign Languages
Sept. 28: Eid Milad un-Nabi
- October
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Oct. 1-31: Global Diversity Awareness Month
Oct. 1-31: LGBTQ+ History Month
Oct. 1-31: Filipino American Heritage Month
Oct. 1-31: Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Oct. 1-31: Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Oct. 1-31: Polish American Heritage Month
Oct. 2: Rosh Hashanah
Oct. 10: World Mental Health Day
Oct. 11: National Coming Out Day
Oct. 11: Yom Kippur
Oct. 14: National Indigenous People's Day
Oct.16: International Pronouns Day
Oct. 31: Halloween
- November
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Nov. 1-30: Native American Heritage Month
Nov. 1-31: National Family Caregivers Month
Nov. 11: Veterans Day
Nov. 12: Diwali
Nov. 12-19: Transgender Awareness Week
Nov. 29: Transgender Day of Remembrance
Nov. 28: Thanksgiving
- December
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Dec. 1-31: Aids Awareness Month
Dec. 1: World Aids Day
 Dec. 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Dec. 10: International Human Rights Day
Dec. 20: International Human Solidarity Day
Dec. 25: Christmas
Dec. 25-Jan. 2: Hanukkah
Dec.26-Jan. 1: Kwanzaa
Your voice
Please share your DEI resources, feedback, comments and experiences with us.
DEI events
Programs and resources
Group 1 icon | Group 1 description | Group 2 icon | Group 2 description |
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Affinity, shared interest and identity-based groups | Webinar archive | ||
Recognition |
University initiatives and programs
- Office of Multicultural Student Affairs
- Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success
- Health Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Framework
Land acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the land each of us live, learn and thrive are the traditional, ancestral and unceded homelands of Indigenous and tribal nations. Our home and institution is on the original homelands of the Monocan tribal nation(s). We acknowledge the genocide and systems of oppression that have dispossessed Indigenous people of their lands and we honor and respect the diverse and beautiful peoples still connected to this land.
View a map of Indigenous lands.