January 2023
January 16, 2023: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 2023
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
Did you know that Black History Month was born at a YMCA in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood? Click here to learn more!
We Wear Black
Please join Y-USA’s African American Resource Network (AARN) for the #WeWearBlack event on Friday, February 24, 2023. We want to use the color black during Black History Month to be a symbol of hope, belonging, awareness and togetherness.
- We wear black to bring awareness to the institutional and systemic racism and oppression of black and brown people in the United States and around the world.
- We wear black to honor the struggle of those who came before us.
- We wear black in unity with those who are working daily to fight injustice, prejudice and inequality.
- We wear black to do our part to ensure that future generations have great opportunities and access to thrive.
Capture your #WeWearBlack moment by taking a picture and posting it to social media with #Ywewearblack.
March 2023
Women’s History Month
In March, we commemorate Women’s History Month and mark International Women’s Day on March 8. We are celebrating and reflecting on the roles women play which strengthen communities and advance agendas for the greater good of all people. In looking around our Association, our region and across the globe, we see promising leadership and vision being shown by many women.
Amplify
On March 8, Y-USA’s Women's Leadership Resource Network (WLRN) will be hosting a free virtual experience in celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2023. The goal of this virtual experience is to gather women and their allies who work and volunteer for the global Y Movement, to connect, empower, and grow. The theme of International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity and we will be addressing the theme throughout the event.
Y-USA will be hosting this virtual event on Zoom, and it is open to all Y employees and volunteers globally at no cost. The virtual event will focus on gender equity, celebrate women’s achievements, and raise awareness for a gender equal world, one free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. Together we know we can create a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Click here to register for this virtual event! *You must be logged into LINK to access this event.