July is a month that invites reflection, identity-affirming recognition, and global awareness - often while teams are navigating lighter schedules, summer travel, and reduced capacity. For ERG leaders and people teams, this creates an opportunity to engage thoughtfully rather than intensively, prioritizing accessibility, learning, and care.

July’s observances center disability identity, civil rights, self-care, faith, and global citizenship. From Disability Pride Month to the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, these moments encourage organizations to reflect on inclusion not as performance, but as sustained commitment.

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

July at a Glance

Key July Heritage & Awareness Observances

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month celebrates disability identity, culture, and community while challenging deficit-based narratives about disability. The observance traces its roots to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990, a landmark civil rights victory. Disability Pride emphasizes visibility, self-advocacy, and the social model of disability - recognizing that barriers are often created by systems, not individuals.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Center voices of people with disabilities in programming and storytelling.
• Review accessibility practices across events, tools, and communications.
• Avoid inspiration or pity-based narratives.
• Partner with Disability or Accessibility ERGs to guide engagement.

Independent Retailer Month

Independent Retailer Month highlights the role of small and locally owned businesses in building resilient, inclusive communities. Independent retailers are often owned by women, immigrants, and people of color, making the observance closely tied to economic equity and entrepreneurship. The month encourages mindful consumerism and recognition of how supply chains and vendor choices reflect organizational values.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Highlight partnerships with local or diverse-owned vendors.
• Share employee stories connected to small businesses or entrepreneurship.
• Review procurement practices through an equity lens.

Canada Day (July 1)

Canada Day marks the anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1867 and is observed as a national holiday across Canada. While it is often celebrated with pride and community gatherings, the day also invites reflection on Canada’s colonial history and its impact on Indigenous peoples. Many organizations now approach Canada Day with both recognition and nuance.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Recognize Canadian employees and teams.
• Balance celebration with acknowledgment of Indigenous history.
• Share educational resources on reconciliation and nationhood.

Independence Day (U.S.) – July 4

Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and is a major national holiday in the United States. For many, the day represents freedom and democracy; for others, it highlights freedoms historically denied. Inclusive observance creates space for multiple perspectives on national identity and belonging.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Recognize diverse experiences of freedom and citizenship.
• Avoid overly nationalistic or exclusionary framing.
• Be mindful of how celebrations land for global or marginalized teams.

World Population Day (July 11)

World Population Day is a United Nations–designated observance focused on global population trends and their relationship to equity, health, and sustainability. First observed in 1990, it draws attention to reproductive health, access to education, and gender equity. The day encourages informed, compassionate discussion rather than alarmist narratives.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Share educational resources grounded in equity and human rights.
• Connect conversations to access, opportunity, and inclusion.
• Avoid politicized or fear-based framing.

International Non-Binary People’s Day (July 14)

International Non-Binary People’s Day recognizes and affirms non-binary identities around the world. The date marks the midpoint between International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day, symbolizing gender beyond the binary. The observance raises awareness of the discrimination non-binary people face and the importance of affirming language and systems.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Share educational resources on gender diversity.
• Normalize pronoun use and inclusive language.
• Center non-binary voices and lived experiences.

Bastille Day (France) – July 14

Bastille Day commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille, a pivotal event in the French Revolution. The day symbolizes liberty, equality, and democratic ideals and is celebrated as France’s national holiday. For global teams, it offers an opportunity to acknowledge national identity within an international context.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Recognize French employees and global teams.
• Share historical context respectfully.
• Avoid stereotyping French culture.

Rath Yatra (July 16)

Rath Yatra is a major Hindu festival celebrating the annual journey of Lord Jagannath, along with deities Balabhadra and Subhadra. Originating in Puri, India, the festival emphasizes devotion, community, and accessibility, as the deities are brought out to the people. Rath Yatra is observed by Hindu communities worldwide, with practices varying by region and tradition.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Be mindful of time-off or observance needs.
• Share educational context about Hindu traditions.
• Avoid generalizing Hindu practices.

Nelson Mandela International Day (July 18)

Nelson Mandela International Day honors the life and legacy of the former South African president and global human rights leader. The day encourages individuals to take action through service, reflection, and leadership rooted in justice. Mandela’s legacy underscores the power of resilience, reconciliation, and moral courage.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Organize service-oriented or reflection-based activities.
• Share leadership lessons from Mandela’s life.
• Encourage ERG-led conversations on justice and equity.

Tisha B’Av (July 23)

Tisha B’Av is a solemn Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Traditionally observed through fasting, reflection, and the reading of lamentations, it is one of the most significant days of collective remembrance in the Jewish calendar. The day invites quiet acknowledgment rather than celebration.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Avoid scheduling major celebrations when possible.
• Respect fasting and reflection practices.
• Frame acknowledgment with sensitivity.

International Self-Care Day (July 24)

International Self-Care Day emphasizes the importance of maintaining physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing every day of the year. Observed annually on 7/24, the date reinforces the idea of 24/7 self-care. In workplace contexts, it connects to burnout prevention, boundaries, and sustainable performance.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Share wellness resources and benefits.
• Encourage rest and boundaries, not productivity pressure.
• Model healthy leadership behaviors.

Pioneer Day (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) – July 24

Pioneer Day commemorates the arrival of early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The day honors migration, perseverance, and faith, particularly within LDS communities in the western United States. For some, it is both a cultural and religious observance rooted in family and heritage.

Inclusive Ways to Acknowledge

• Recognize the observance respectfully for those who celebrate.
• Avoid assumptions about religious practice.
• Share educational context when appropriate.

National Hire a Veteran Day (July 25)

National Hire a Veteran Day raises awareness about employment opportunities for veterans and the value of their transferable skills. Veterans bring leadership, adaptability, and teamwork to the workplace, yet often face barriers in civilian hiring processes. The observance encourages inclusive recruitment and long-term support.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Highlight veteran ERGs or employee stories.
• Share veteran-friendly hiring initiatives.
• Promote mentorship or transition programs.

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – July 26

The ADA anniversary marks the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, a cornerstone civil rights law for people with disabilities. The ADA continues to shape accessibility standards, workplace accommodations, and inclusive design. The anniversary is both a celebration of progress and a reminder of ongoing gaps.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Review accessibility practices and accommodations.
• Share education on disability rights.
• Commit to continuous improvement.

Parents’ Day (U.S.) – July 26

Parents’ Day recognizes parents and caregivers of all kinds and highlights the labor involved in caregiving. Observed on the fourth Sunday of July, the day invites organizations to reflect on family diversity and support structures. Inclusive acknowledgment avoids assumptions about gender or family roles.

Inclusive Ways to Celebrate

• Use inclusive definitions of family and caregiving.
• Avoid gendered assumptions.
• Highlight family-supportive policies.

Deepening Engagement Through July’s Observances

July’s observances emphasize disability pride, identity, care, and global citizenship. With many teams operating at reduced capacity, this month offers a chance to engage more gently - prioritizing reflection, accessibility, and listening over volume.

ERG leaders can use July to reinforce that inclusion also means rest, flexibility, and sustainable pacing.

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

Planning your July ERG 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 - including training, resources, and year‑round connection with top ERGs around the world.

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