Alzheimer’s Association DEI Update: Celebrating Cultures and Community Through Celebration and Learning

Published by

Alzheimer’s Association

on

May 5, 2024

Artwork by Daniel Cascardo entitled, “Heal the World”

Holidays & Celebrations

Spring has arrived and with it comes new celebrations of culture and community. The whole of April was Celebrate Diversity Month and provided us with a reminder to recognize and appreciate all the ways we experience the world differently be it through gender identity, neurodiversity, ethnicity, physical ability or in some other way.

In May we will celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as we reflect upon the many ways these cultures have helped to shape and influence society as we know it today. Additionally, Cinco de Mayo celebrations will be enjoyed by many on May 5 to acknowledge Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

In June, Pride Month, we will commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that served as a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the U.S. and now affords us an opportunity to recognize the impact that those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer have had on history. Lastly, on a still fairly new federal holiday, we will commemorate Juneteenth on June 19, the day when the last 250,000 slaves were freed in Texas – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed.

We invite you to discover more about any of the celebrations referenced above. There are countless resources on the internet as well as in the DEI Resource Repository developed by our Regional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work group.

Chapter Updates and Highlights

We are continuing to expand our reach into diverse communities in Alaska. We will be providing monthly education programs for the Tyotkas Elder Center and the Kenaitze Tribe in Kenai, AK. Additionally, presentations have been made at the XYZ Senior Center in Nome and the Rendezvous Senior Day Center in Ketchikan to increase understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and the critical role that advocacy plays in more broadly supporting dementia care and research.

For more information, contact Michelle at mllarson@alz.org.

We encourage you to take a moment to recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community. There are so many ways we can collaborate and take action to create a more inclusive world for everyone!

Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.