“A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.”

– John Lewis

The ORA Social Justice working group is charged with keeping ORA staff informed of opportunities to engage in activities on Emory’s campus and the greater Atlanta area around social justice, diversity, and inclusion. Our newsletter aims to provide relevant information and events to stay connected to the Emory and Atlanta community.

and resources to foster long-term development. Holiday also co-founded the Boston Creator Incubator + Accelerator with teammate Jaylen Brown, supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. To learn more, visit the this and this link.

Holidays Observed During May, June and July

See below all the holidays, festivities and cultural events observed during the above-referenced months.



May

• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: celebrates Asians and Pacific Islanders in the US. For more information click here. Check out the Asian Pacific American Center Smithsonian to learn more.
• Jewish American Heritage Month: recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Jewish Americans to American culture, history, and society. It was first officially proclaimed by President George W. Bush in 2006. Find more information here.
• Mental Health Awareness Month: celebrated to raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce stigma. Find more information here.

June

• Juneteenth: the emancipation news (1862) did not reach southern states until later. Juneeteench is celebrated to recognize that until June 19, 1865, one day after the Union soldiers reached Texas, the former enslaved people were declared free. Find more information here.
• Eid al- Adha (Evening of Friday, June 6 yo Saturday, June 7), marks the culmination of thehajj(pilgrimage) rites at Minā, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, but is celebrated by Muslims throughout the world. As with Eid al-Fitr, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (ṣalāt) at daybreak on its first day. Find more information here.
• Pride Month: We take this time each year to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising served as the impetus for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. One important purpose of this recognition is to honor the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history. Find more information here.

July

• Fourth of July: The Fourth of July celebrates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration announced the political separation of the 13 North American colonies from Great Britain. Find more information, and even thing you may not know about Independence Day here.

Atlanta Pride Run 5K on June 1, 2025

ORA Social Justice Working Group is organizing a Team to run at Atlanta Pride Run 5K 2025! Our Team Name is Emory Research Marvels! For those that would like to join our group, please email John Doan and a password will be provided. The group meet up location will be given closer to the date. Registration ends on June 1, 2025 at 8:00am EDT. Registration is $55 plus a $4.81 “SignUp” fee. Find more information at Sign Up.

Finding Calm in the Chaos: Skills for Everyday Life

Join HR in this webinar on May 19 at 3 pm, to learn about controlling stress to prevent impacting your health and job performance. Register at this link.

Miscellaneous Monthly: Rose Library's Open House Series - Native American History

Have you ever wanted to see items from Rose Library's collections but not known how? Join the Rose library on every third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3 pm at the 10th floor of the Woodruff Library to review their valuable archives:

• May 20, 2025: will view materials from Native American history, with a focus on the Muscogee people. 
• June 17, 2025: view archival materials related to food, including recipe cards, cookbooks, and activism surrounding food security.
• July 15, 2025: view archival materials related to travel and vacationing.

Introduction to Neurodiversity

Human Reources invites you to particvipate in this training on March 28, 2025 from 2 to 3 pm, and learn more about neurodiversity. Did you know that 20% of the population is neurodiverse? In this training, employees are introduced to the topic of neurodiversity and discuss strategies to understand, embrace, and uplift the unique strengths and experiences of neurodiverse people. Register in Brainier.

EPEN's Pride Ice Cream Social

Gather together to celebrate Pride and connect with other LGBTQ+ employees and staff. Allies welcome too! "Not as Famous Cookie Company" Food Truck will be parked outside The Hatchery @ Emory Point and serve cookies and ice cream! More info here.

Find more Emory events at https://www.emory.edu/home/events/