January at a Glance

A quick, scannable overview of January’s key observances to help ERG leaders plan inclusive and thoughtful programming.

Key January Heritage & Awareness Observances

National Mentoring Month (All Month)

National Mentoring Month is a nationwide campaign launched in 2002 by MENTOR to champion the power of youth mentorship. The month celebrates mentors and mentees, highlights the long-term impact of guidance and connection, and encourages communities to expand access to mentorship programs. Research consistently shows that mentorship builds confidence, academic achievement, and long-term opportunity. ERGs are quickly becoming a core part of how organizations think about developing their talent and fostering connection, so naturally new models for mentorship that utilize the full potential of ERGs are cropping up more and more. 

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Volunteer as a mentor or identify a local mentoring program.
  
• Share stories of mentors and mentees who shaped your community or ERGs.
  
• Explore new mentorship models like "reverse mentoring" between junior and senior colleagues or “peer mentoring” between and within ERGs.
  
• Highlight ERG-to-ERG mentorship opportunities.
  

National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month (All Month)

This observance shines a light on modern slavery, human trafficking, and the systemic exploitation that continues across borders and industries. Human trafficking includes labor trafficking, sex trafficking, and forced labor. January serves as a call to action - honoring the history of abolition while confronting the realities that persist today.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Share educational tools on recognizing signs of trafficking.
  
• Support or donate to local NGOs serving survivors.
  
• Review workplace policies for reporting, safety, and support.
  
• Offer learning opportunities through ERGs.
  

Stalking Awareness Month (All Month)

Stalking Awareness Month increases visibility around the often-hidden issue of stalking - a pattern of unwanted contact, surveillance, or behaviors that cause fear. Raising awareness helps break stigma and empowers individuals to seek support. Digital forms of stalking have grown, making education even more critical.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Share resources or webinars on identifying and responding to stalking.
  
• Promote safe digital practices and personal security.
  
• Review organizational protocols for addressing stalking.
  
• Partner with local victim support organizations.
  
• Make room for discussion through your ERGs about how this issue might disproportionately impact certain groups.
  

Mahayana New Year (January 3)

Mahayana New Year marks the start of the year for many Mahayana Buddhist communities, including those in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. The observance centers on reflection, gratitude, compassion, and renewal. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the Bodhisattva path - working toward enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Learn about Buddhist teachings of compassion and mindfulness.
  
• Attend a meditation session or visit a local temple.
  
• Share messages of peace, intention-setting, or self-reflection.
  
• Encourage small acts of kindness within your team.
  
• Facilitate educational and connection-based conversation through Interfaith and faith-based ERGs.
  

World Braille Day (January 4)

World Braille Day honors the birth of Louis Braille and recognizes the importance of Braille as a tool for literacy and autonomy for people who are blind or visually impaired. Braille literacy remains strongly tied to educational and employment opportunities.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Invite a speaker or share a video about Braille and accessibility.
  
• Review newsletters or intranet pages for screen-reader accessibility.
  
• Explore tactile signage in your workplace.
  
• Invite your Accessibility ERG to highlight areas for opportunity and innovation when it comes to those who may use Braille.
  
• Highlight stories of visually impaired leaders, artists, and innovators.
  

Orthodox Christmas (January 6-7)

Orthodox Christmas is celebrated by Eastern Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar. The holiday emphasizes spirituality, reflection, family, and community, and often follows the fasting period of Advent. Traditions vary across cultures, reflecting rich and diverse expressions of Christian faith.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Learn about global Christian traditions.
  
• Share music, recipes, or art connected to Orthodox Christmas.
  
• Highlight Interfaith ERGs and offer space for observance.
  
• Create space for peace, unity, and renewal.
  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 19)

Observed on the third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors Dr. King’s leadership in the civil rights movement. He became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and the holiday - first observed in 1986 - is widely recognized as a "day of service" dedicated to community action and justice. Many workplaces may have time off on this day.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Participate in a local service project.
  
• Host a discussion on King’s speeches and philosophy.
  
• Encourage personal reflection on equity and inclusion.
  
• Highlight your Black ERG’s programming and contributions.
  

International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27)

International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the six million Jews and millions of other victims murdered during the Holocaust. Established by the United Nations in 2005, the day is a call to remember the atrocities of the past, stand against antisemitism, and reaffirm a global commitment to human rights and dignity.

Inclusive Ways to Commemorate

• Share educational resources about the Holocaust and its contemporary lessons.
  
• Partner with Jewish or Interfaith ERGs or local community organizations to host learning sessions.
  
• Hold a moment of silence to honor victims and survivors.
  
• Provide resources on recognizing and addressing antisemitism in the workplace.
  

Looking Ahead - Why Awareness & Heritage Months Matter at the Start of the Year

January’s observances set the tone for a year rooted in empathy, learning, and community. From human rights to safety to spiritual renewal, these moments encourage organizations to listen, reflect, and take meaningful action.

Planning ahead - rather than responding reactively - allows teams to create consistent, values-driven programming that strengthens inclusion throughout the year.

For more guidance, here are 3 things to consider when planning a heritage month event. Once you’re done planning that event, you can check out our guide on planning and tracking successful ERG events here. 

Explore Verbate’s full Heritage Months & Cultural Calendar to plan programming for the year ahead.

Planning your Jnauary inclusion programming? Verbate provides Community and Resources for ERG Leads and ERG program Managers. Sign up for our newsletter for deeper monthly insights.

If you’re looking for strategic support for your ERG program, learn more about our ERG Leadership Community which provides training, resources, and year-round connection with top ERGs around the world. 

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