April is a month rich with cultural, religious, environmental, and advocacy-focused observances. It brings together moments of remembrance, renewal, service, and celebration - offering ERG leaders and Inclusion teams meaningful opportunities to build community, deepen cultural understanding, and support wellbeing across identities.

From Arab American Heritage Month and Autism Acceptance Month to Passover, Easter, and Earth Day, April invites organizations to engage thoughtfully with both heritage and action.

Planning your April ERG programming? Verbate provides community and resources for ERG Leads and ERG Program Managers. Learn more about our ERG Leadership Community or sign up for our free, virtual ERG Program Manager Meet Up. 

April at a Glance

A quick, scannable overview of April’s key observances to support planning and inclusive engagement.

Key April Heritage & Awareness Observances

Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month

Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month raises awareness about sexual violence while promoting consent culture, survivor support, and prevention education. Its roots trace back to survivor-led and feminist movements of the 1970s, with teal becoming the symbolic color of awareness.

Inclusive Ways to Engage

• Offer trauma-informed training or learning sessions.
• Share confidential resources and reporting pathways.
• Partner with local or national advocacy organizations.

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Workplace Violence Prevention Awareness Month

This observance focuses on preventing violence, harassment, and harm in professional environments. OSHA identifies workplace violence as a leading cause of occupational injury, underscoring the need for proactive, prevention-based approaches.

Inclusive Ways to Engage

• Provide conflict de-escalation or bystander-intervention training.
• Review safety, reporting, and support policies.
• Host ERG-led conversations on psychological safety.

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Arab American Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month celebrates the culture, history, and contributions of Arab Americans. More than 3.7 million Arab Americans trace their roots to 22 Arabic-speaking countries, and the observance was formally recognized by the Library of Congress in 2021.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Spotlight Arab American leaders, creators, and community members.
• Host cultural storytelling or food-centered learning sessions.
• Support ERG-led educational programming.

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Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month promotes inclusion, belonging, and respect for autistic individuals. The shift from “awareness” to “acceptance” reflects a neurodiversity-centered approach that values different ways of thinking and communicating.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Host neurodiversity education sessions.
• Support ERGs discussing neurodiversity & accessibility. 
• Review workplace processes for accessibility.
• Share content created by autistic advocates.

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National Volunteer Month

National Volunteer Month celebrates volunteerism, civic engagement, and community care — recognizing the time, skills, and labor people contribute beyond their formal roles. The modern volunteer movement in the U.S. gained momentum during World War II and continues to play a critical role in supporting social services, disaster response, education, and advocacy. In workplace contexts, volunteering is also linked to higher engagement, purpose, and wellbeing when participation is accessible and employee-led.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Organize a range of volunteer opportunities that reflect different interests, abilities, and time commitments.
• Offer volunteer time off (VTO) or flexible scheduling to support participation.
• Highlight employee and ERG-led volunteer initiatives rather than top-down programs only.
• Partner with community organizations that serve marginalized or under-resourced populations.

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World Autism Acceptance Day (April 2)

World Autism Acceptance Day is a global observance established by the United Nations in 2007 to promote understanding, dignity, and inclusion for autistic people. While often associated with awareness campaigns, the shift toward acceptance emphasizes listening to autistic voices, challenging stereotypes, and removing systemic barriers. The day sits within Autism Acceptance Month and encourages organizations to reflect on how their environments support — or exclude — neurodivergent individuals.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Center autistic voices by sharing content created by autistic advocates, professionals, or employees (with consent).
• Offer sensory-friendly or low-stimulation programming options.
• Share practical guidance on neuroinclusive practices in meetings, communication, and performance expectations.
• Partner with Neurodiversity or Accessibility ERGs to lead education and dialogue.

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Passover (April 1–9)

Passover is a major Jewish festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as told in the Exodus story. Observed for eight days, it centers on themes of freedom, resilience, and collective memory, retold through ritual meals called Seders. For many Jewish people, Passover is both a deeply spiritual observance and a time for family, storytelling, and reflection on contemporary struggles for liberation.

Inclusive Ways to Observe

• Respect time-off needs for Seders and extended observance days.
• Avoid scheduling major meetings or events during the first two evenings when Seders typically occur.
• Share educational resources explaining Passover traditions, symbols, and themes.
• Partner with Jewish or Interfaith ERGs to host optional learning sessions or cultural spotlights.
• Be mindful of dietary restrictions related to kosher-for-Passover practices.

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Holy Thursday (April 2)

Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, commemorates the Last Supper and marks the beginning of the Christian Triduum leading up to Easter. Central themes include humility, service, and community, often symbolized through foot-washing rituals and shared meals. Many Christians observe Holy Thursday with evening services, making scheduling awareness especially important.

Inclusive Ways to Observe

• Avoid scheduling mandatory evening events that may conflict with religious services.
• Offer schedule flexibility or remote options for employees observing.
• Share educational content about the significance of the Triduum within Christian traditions.
• Invite Interfaith or Christian ERGs to guide optional reflection or learning spaces.

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Good Friday (April 3)

Good Friday is a solemn Christian observance recognizing the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is marked by mourning, reflection, fasting, and prayer in many traditions, and is recognized as a public holiday in several countries. The day invites quiet contemplation and respect rather than celebration.

Inclusive Ways to Observe

• Respect time-off requests and observance needs for employees who fast or attend services.
• Avoid food-centered or celebratory events.
• Allow space for quiet reflection or reduced-meeting schedules where possible.
• Acknowledge the observance respectfully in internal communications without requiring participation.

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Easter (April 5)

Easter celebrates resurrection, renewal, and joy in Christian traditions and is the oldest widely celebrated Christian holiday. Its timing follows the spring equinox and lunar cycle, connecting spiritual renewal with seasonal change.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Recognize diverse denominational traditions and observance practices.
• Host inclusive, spring-themed community or reflection events.
• Support faith-based ERGs by encouraging them to share their community's traditions.

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Gold Star Spouses Day (April 5)

Gold Star Spouses Day honors the spouses of U.S. service members who lost their lives while serving. The observance recognizes the resilience, sacrifice, and ongoing contributions of military families and provides space for remembrance rather than celebration.

Inclusive Ways to Observe

• Acknowledge Gold Star families and veteran communities with respect.
• Share educational resources about the meaning of the Gold Star symbol.
• Partner with Veterans ERGs or military family organizations.
• Offer space for reflection and quiet recognition.

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International Day of Pink (April 9)

International Day of Pink is a global anti-bullying observance that promotes kindness, acceptance, and standing up against discrimination — particularly for LGBTQ+ youth and communities. Participants often wear pink as a symbol of solidarity and allyship.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Encourage teams to wear pink as a visible show of support.
• Share resources on bullying prevention and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
• Partner with Pride ERGs to host conversations on allyship and safety.
• Reinforce zero-tolerance policies for harassment and discrimination.

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Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17)

Founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018, this observance advocates for maternal health equity and addresses systemic healthcare disparities.

Inclusive Ways to Engage

• Host discussions on maternal health equity.
• Share healthcare and advocacy resources.
• Plan an intersectional discussion between your Black, Women and Caregiving / Parents ERG.

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Vaisakhi (April 14)

Vaisakhi is a significant Sikh festival celebrating the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 and is also recognized as the Sikh New Year. It additionally marks the spring harvest in Punjab, making it both a spiritual and cultural celebration. Observances often include prayer services, community processions (nagar kirtans), and shared meals emphasizing equality and service.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Share educational resources about Sikh history, values, and the meaning of the Khalsa.
• Respect observance needs, including time off for prayer or community events.
• Partner with Sikh or Interfaith ERGs to host learning sessions or cultural spotlights.
• Highlight themes of service, equality, and community that align with workplace inclusion values.

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Earth Day (April 22)

Earth Day is a global movement for environmental protection, first celebrated in 1970 and now recognized by more than 190 countries. It centers environmental needs and appreciation for the land we live on and depend on.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Organize sustainability workshops or cleanups.
• Create intersectional programming across ERGs to foster conversation about environment-focused efforts.  
• Highlight organizational environmental initiatives.

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Lesbian Visibility Week (April 21–27)

Lesbian Visibility Week celebrates lesbian identity, community, and representation across cultures and generations. The observance was created to address the historic underrepresentation of lesbians - particularly lesbians of color, older lesbians, and those with intersecting marginalized identities - in both LGBTQ+ movements and mainstream narratives. In workplace contexts, the week offers an opportunity to move beyond symbolism and create space for visibility, voice, and belonging.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Host LGBTQ+ ERG programming that centers lesbian voices and lived experiences.
• Share stories, spotlights, or interviews with lesbian leaders and employees (with consent).
• Highlight intersectional perspectives, including race, disability, age, and family status.
• Pair visibility with action by reviewing inclusion policies, benefits, and leadership representation.

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International Lesbian Day (April 26)

International Lesbian Day highlights lesbian visibility, leadership, and cultural contributions across history and contemporary society. It creates space to recognize the unique experiences of lesbians, including how gender, sexuality, race, disability, and culture intersect. In workplace settings, the day is an opportunity to move beyond symbolic support toward active inclusion and representation.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Share inclusive LGBTQ+ educational resources that explicitly include lesbian history and experiences.
• Uplift lesbian voices within your organization through spotlights, panels, or storytelling.
• Partner with Pride or LGBTQ+ ERGs to discuss visibility, allyship, and workplace inclusion.
• Review policies and benefits to ensure they reflect diverse family structures and identities.

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Bring a Kid to Work Day (April 24)

Bring a Kid to Work Day encourages family connection and career exploration for children and young people. Originally created to broaden career visibility, the observance has expanded to reflect diverse family structures, caregiving responsibilities, and learning styles. When designed inclusively, it can foster belonging for working parents, caregivers, and families of all kinds.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Offer age-appropriate activities with both in-person and virtual participation options.
• Ensure accessibility, safety, and clear guidelines for participation.
• Include representation across roles and career paths to challenge stereotypes.
• Be mindful of employees who may not participate and avoid making the day exclusionary.

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Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24)

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day honors the victims of the Armenian Genocide beginning in 1915, when an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed. The observance centers remembrance, historical truth, and the long-term impacts of mass violence on communities and diasporas. It is also a moment to reflect on the importance of recognition, education, and prevention of future atrocities.

Inclusive Ways to Observe

• Share historically accurate learning resources and survivor narratives.
• Partner with Armenian or cultural ERGs to guide educational programming.
• Offer space for quiet reflection, remembrance, or facilitated discussion.
• Acknowledge the ongoing impact of historical trauma on communities today.

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Deepening Engagement & Reflection Through April’s Observances

April’s observances invite reflection across themes of remembrance, service, renewal, cultural appreciation, and global solidarity. Together, they offer ERG leaders and inclusion teams a chance to slow down, listen deeply, and design programming that honors lived experience while strengthening community connection.

Rather than treating these moments as one-off events, organizations can use April to integrate learning into year‑round inclusion strategies — aligning ERG programming, leadership engagement, and policy review with the values these observances represent.

To support proactive planning, explore Verbate’s Heritage Months & Cultural Calendar to see how April fits into a full‑year inclusion roadmap.

Planning your April ERG programming? Verbate provides community and resources for ERG Leads and ERG Program Managers. Sign up for our newsletter for deeper monthly insights. 

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