Inclusion & Diversity
"The time is always right to do what is right." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
As Human Resource professionals, we have an important role in creating an environment where inclusion and belonging is valued.
The ARSHRM Inclusion & Diversity program’s purpose is to affirm awareness amongst its affiliated chapters and within the state of Arkansas. We are responsible for monitoring and ensuring the integration of inclusion and belonging in our workplaces. By doing so, we will witness strengthened workplaces, enhanced employee productivity and reduced litigation risks.
Inclusion and diversity are essential for creating thriving workplaces and communities. These principles drive innovation, foster collaboration, and ensure every individual feels valued and empowered.
Per the Society for Human Resource Management
“To celebrate diversity is to appreciate and value individual differences. SHRM strives to be the leader in promoting workplace diversity. Although the term is often used to refer to differences based on ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin and sexual orientation, diversity encompasses an infinite range of individuals’ unique characteristics and experiences, including communication styles, physical characteristics such as height and weight, speed of learning and comprehension.”
Inclusion & Diversity News
Dealing with diversity in the workplace means understanding and relating effectively with people who are different from you. The ability for a diverse group of people to build strength and unity through their diversity is the power that propels organizations into new dimensions of performance. Discussions of workplace diversity tend to start with the topics of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Indeed, organizations that want to thrive in the future will need to have employees and managers who are aware of and skilled in dealing with differences along these identity lines.
Another slice of diversity that is not always included in typical diversity discussions, however, is generational diversity. In any large organization, you are bound to find divisions, units, or work teams where five distinct generations are working side by side. Important differences have been identified between these generations in the way they approach work, work/life balance, employee loyalty, authority, and other important issues. For those reasons, an individual’s age is one of the most common predictors of differences in attitudes and behaviors. Different communication styles and work habits can create misunderstandings between coworkers, leading to conflict and disengagement.
These tips will help to create common ground among generations, but organizations are encouraged to develop policies and programs that will help meet each generation’s unique needs and expectations.
Communicate appropriately, gearing messages for generational preferences. Create programs that encourage generations to work together and to share knowledge. Build diverse teams of all ages, genders, and cultures. These teams will learn to value and trust each other. Encourage leaders at all levels to be flexible in their management styles. Some generations want hands-off leaders, others want a more involved management style.
Articles: A collection of articles on diversity and inclusion topics from leading business publications such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company.
How to manage a multigeneration workforce
Communicating with a multigenerational workforce
Inclusion & Diversity Update
February 2026 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging Calendar Highlights
Black History Month
Celebrates the achievements, culture, and history of Black Americans and honors their contributions across fields such as arts, politics, science, sports, and civil rights. It also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about ongoing work toward racial justice and equity throughout history and today.
February 1 – National Freedom Day Honors the signing of the resolution that led to the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery in the U.S., reflecting on liberty, equality, and continued efforts toward civil rights.
February 1–7 - World Interfaith Harmony Week Encourages mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation among people of different faiths and beliefs through dialogue and shared community activities.
February 2 – Imbolc (Pagan and Wiccan) Marks the seasonal shift toward spring and celebrates renewal, light returning, and growth. Traditional observances include candle-lighting and honoring cycles of nature.
February 2 – Candlemas (Christian) Commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple and traditionally involves the blessing of candles, symbolizing Christ as the light of the world.
February 2–3 – Tu BiShvat (Jewish) Celebrates the “New Year of the Trees” in Jewish tradition, highlighting environmental stewardship, sustainability, and the connection between people, land, and ecological responsibility.
February 15 – Parinirvana (Buddhist) Marks the day the Buddha entered final Nirvana, a time for reflection on impermanence, compassion, and teachings.
February 15 – Maha Shivaratri (Hindu) Honors Lord Shiva during “The Great Night of Shiva,” a sacred Hindu observance marked by fasting, prayer, meditation, and overnight worship. The day emphasizes self-reflection, spiritual growth, and the balance of destruction and regeneration as part of renewal and transformation.
February 16 – Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) is a U.S. federal holiday honoring George Washington and all U.S. presidents, observed on the third Monday of February.
February 17 – Lunar New Year / Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday celebrates the beginning of the traditional lunisolar calendar year (Year of the Horse), and Mardi Gras marks the day before Ash Wednesday in Christian traditions.
February 18 – First day of Ramadan (Islam) Marks the start of the holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims, with dates based on moon sighting. (Begins at sunset).
February 18 – Ash Wednesday (Christian) Marks the beginning of Lent in many Christian traditions and is observed as a day of reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation through prayer, fasting, and contemplation.
February 20 – World Day of Social Justice Recognizes the importance of advancing social justice by addressing issues such as poverty, exclusion, inequality, unemployment, and human rights, while encouraging inclusive and equitable societies worldwide.
February 21 – International Mother Language Day Promotes linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide and supports preservation of mother tongues in education and community life.
Next Steps for Navigating Inclusion & Diversity in a Shifting Legal and Political Landscape
HR professionals are facing new challenges as workplace inclusion efforts are increasingly shaped by political polarization and shifting federal regulations. Executive orders from early 2025 have altered compliance expectations, creating uncertainty for leaders who want to uphold best practices while avoiding legal risk. Employees also hold mixed perceptions of Inclusion and Diversity initiatives, making it harder to build unified cultures of belonging.
To support HR practitioners, ARSHRM recommends the following strategies:
1. Audit and Align for Compliance – Review programs, training, and policies to ensure alignment with federal directives, especially for government contractors.
2. Focus on Culture Over Labels – Center efforts on respect, fairness, and engagement rather than acronyms that may spark controversy.
3. Stay Informed but Steady – Monitor evolving rulings, but don’t dismantle effective programs prematurely.
4. Reframe as a Business Imperative – Link inclusion directly to retention, innovation, and engagement to de-politicize the conversation.
5. Prepare and Document – Anticipate increased scrutiny and maintain clear records of decision-making.
Our Spring Inclusion and Diversity Virtual Dialogue event, featuring guest speaker Carol Vella who brings over a decade of leadership in talent, retail, marketing, and community engagement, also highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for open conversation, reinforcing inclusive behaviors, inviting diverse perspectives, ensuring structured hiring practices, and closely collaborating with legal experts.
Thank you for attending the session at the ARSHRM State Conference, October 8–10, where we explored practical strategies to navigate today’s evolving legal and political landscape while fostering truly inclusive workplaces. Here is a summary of the takeaways. DOWNLOAD HERE.
Final Thoughts
A great way for an employer to show support for any one of these celebrations is to partner with a local nonprofit or community event and give your employees an opportunity to volunteer and represent your company. Community service is a fun way to give back while team building and keeping the employees engaged.
Find more Diversity and Inclusion resources here.
Quick Resources
A leading diversity and inclusion membership organization that provides research, tools, and resources to help organizations create inclusive workplaces.
An organization that promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace through training, certification, and research.
A comprehensive resource hub from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation that includes research, case studies, and best practices for creating a more inclusive workplace.
A selection of online courses on diversity and inclusion topics from providers such as LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, and Coursera.