It Begins With You: How to Make Diversity More Than Just a Month

April is Celebrate Diversity Month!

This month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich melody of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that shape our families, schools, communities, and workplaces. But more than just a celebration, April serves as an invitation to learn, to listen, to ask questions, and, most importantly, to grow in our cultural awareness, not just for one month, but for the entire year.

Diversity Month isn't only about noticing the differences among us—it’s about embracing them. It’s about moving beyond surface-level snapshots of culture like food, music, and clothing, and instead diving deeper into the histories, values, struggles, and triumphs that define different communities. When we celebrate diversity with intention, we create space for voices that deserve to be heard and perspectives that enrich how we see the world.

Whether it’s race, ethnicity, gender, faith, sexual orientation, culture, ability, or other aspects of identity, this month encourages us to honor one another through our shared humanity. It’s about recognizing that while we are all different in beautiful ways, we are also deeply connected. Our differences don’t divide us—they give us reasons to learn from one another and grow together.

There are many ways to take part in Diversity Month—whether you're participating individually, celebrating with your family, getting involved at school, or starting a conversation in your workplace. However you choose to engage, let this month be a reminder that every step we take toward understanding others is a step toward building a more inclusive, compassionate world.

What You Can Do as a Student

This is the perfect time to take initiative—step out of your comfort zone and into someone else’s shoes, get genuinely curious about others' experiences, ask thoughtful questions, and actively join meaningful conversations that help build understanding and connection.

Start with Learning and Listening

You may witness a culture or community through observation or in various forms of media, from books and documentaries to podcasts and social media. You can learn about someone else’s story by listening to their lived experiences, directly from the source.

Join In

Don’t stand on the sidelines, get involved in your school’s offerings! Many schools have clubs and activities that look to honor and celebrate various cultures. Aside from participating in these events, you can help foster an environment that supports others as they share their experiences and perspectives. Long term, this creates a welcoming space where other students can feel supported, valued, and empowered through their unique identities. 

Be Curious

Ask thoughtful, respectful questions about someone’s culture, traditions, or experiences, and approach the conversation with a mindset of learning rather than judgment. You may not have the right words, but what is most important is showing authentic interest and care. Being curious doesn’t mean questioning someone’s identity—it means seeking to understand what makes them who they are, and celebrating it with them.

Reflect on YOU

Understanding others begins with understanding yourself. Take time to reflect on your own identity, values, and cultural influences. What is important to your identity? What experiences have you encountered based on your background? How does that shape how you see the world? When you take the time to explore your own story, you’re better equipped to understand and connect with others’ stories, too. Embracing diversity includes embracing your own roots, too. 

What Can Adults Do?

Adults! Whether you are a parent, educator, community leader, or someone who just wants to make a positive difference, you hold an important role in modeling inclusive behaviors and values to younger generations.

Lead with Curiosity and Care

Start dialogues with open hearts to lead and learn. Ask questions. Answer questions. Invite discussions. Encourage those around you to share their backgrounds and identity with others without the fear of being misunderstood or judged. Leading with compassion will lead to meaningful dialogues and inclusive environments. 

Diversify your Media

Broaden the information that you consume. There are millions of books, videos, and other types of media to dive into. You can read books by authors from different backgrounds, watch international films, and even follow creators who add a new perspective. By exposing yourself to new stories and perspectives, you not only learn more about the world, but you also begin to see it through someone else’s eyes.

Support (Local) Diversity

Supporting diversity may not mean starting something new, but supporting what is already going on in your community. Attend cultural festivals, art exhibits, or workshops that promote inclusion and awareness. Try foods from different parts of the world, shop at small businesses owned by underrepresented groups, and share these experiences with others. Your support—whether financial or simply showing up—sends a powerful message.

More Than Just April

Diversity should not be a theme for just one month, it is a part of everyday life. There is always room to naturally incorporate multicultural perspectives into everyday conversations, classrooms, and the workplace. Encourage open channels of communication where others can share their experiences. Normalize talking about identity, culture, and inclusion. You don’t have to have all the answers, but showing that you care goes a long way. 

As we continue to live in an interconnected world, our spaces are filled with people from a wide variety of racial, religious, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Celebrating and understanding these differences allows us to build empathy, reduce prejudice, and foster stronger, more inclusive communities. While we may be more intentional with our efforts to diversify pieces of our lives in April, the real effort comes from what we do in the other 11 months of the year. 

Whether it’s making a new friend or standing up for someone, even the smallest acts of learning about and appreciating others can have a powerful impact. Let this month be more than just a celebration—let it spark a lasting commitment to growth, empathy, and deeper connection with one another.

About the Author

Katie Feeney
Assistant Director of Athletics, Perspectives Club Faculty Advisor

Katie Feeney serves as Holderness’ Assistant Director of Athletics and serves as Faculty Advisor for the Perspectives Club, advisor, and dorm parent. Katie holds a B.S. in Sport Management, an M.S. in Athletic Leadership '21, and an M.B.A. in Leading Organizational Change from Castleton University.