July 2022
Anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Social Security Act, the ADA, and more.
July 1
On this day in 1997, Seattle-area postal workers organized the first National Postal Worker Day. The COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 General Election revealed how much we — and our democracy — depends on the essential labor of postal carriers and delivery workers. Cite the values of voice, community, and economic opportunity on this day.
- Messaging and communications tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s COVID-19 Messaging Resources
- Hashtags: #NationalPostalWorkerDay
July 2
On this day, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the landmark civil rights and labor law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Use this anniversary to reaffirm the values of voice, economic opportunity, and community.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Vision, Values, Voice: A Communications Toolkit and Social Justice Phrase Guide
- Hashtag: #CivilRightsAct
July 4
As the birthday of the United States of America, Independence Day is yet another opportunity to raise the values we believe our nation should embody for everyone: opportunity, voice, equity, community, and safety. Also remind audiences about the importance of land acknowledgment and the ongoing work to repair the harms of colonization on Indigenous peoples.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s work on Inclusive Democracy and Social Justice Phrase Guide
- Hashtags: #July4; #4thJuly; #IndependenceDay
July 5
On this day in 2016, Alton Sterling was fatally shot several times at close range by Baton Rouge Police Department officers. Sterling had been selling CDs in a parking lot. His death was video recorded by several bystanders. On this anniversary, honor Alton by lifting up his life and discussing the values of safety and equity.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Beyond Policing; Criminal Justice Reform Phrase Guide; Create Fair and Effective Policing Practices; and Why People Trust Their Lying Eyes: Implicit Bias and the Limitations of Video Footage in Tackling Police Brutality
- Hashtags: #AltonSterling; #BlackLivesMatter
July 6
On this day in 1907, the pioneering artist and activist Frida Kahlo was born. Today her iconic work and image are shared as examples of politically engaged art and unapologetic self-expression. Use this hook to talk about the role of artists in social justice activism. Cite the values of voice and community.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Pop Culture Strategies at Your Fingertips; “Artivism” Gets a 21st-Century Makeover and The Power of Pop.
- Hashtag: #fridakahlo; #CreativeChange
On this day in 2016, Philando Castile was killed by Minnesota police officer Jeronime Yanez during a routine traffic stop. Castile’s girlfriend video recorded the encounter while her infant daughter sat in the back seat. Castile’s death was yet another example of police brutality and the use of excessive force. This anniversary is an opportunity to discuss the values of safety and equity.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Beyond Policing; Criminal Justice Reform Phrase Guide; Create Fair and Effective Policing Practices and Why People Trust Their Lying Eyes: Implicit Bias and the Limitations of Video Footage in Tackling Police Brutality
- Hashtags: #PhilandoCastile; #BlackLivesMatter
July 9
On this day in 1868, Congress ratified the 14th amendment to the Constitution, which granted citizenship and rights to African Americans and formerly enslaved people. It also forms the basis of “birthright citizenship” for children of non-citizen immigrants. Use this anniversary to discuss the ongoing struggle for civil and immigrant rights by citing the values of equity, community, and Voice.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; Talking About the Attacks on Critical Race Theory; Talking about the American Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment; and Vision, Values, Voice: A Communications Toolkit
- Hashtag: #14thamendment
July 11
On July 11, 1905, W.E.B Dubois and William Monroe Trotter gathered Black leaders and launched the Niagara Movement, one of the organizations that paved the way for the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The convening met at Niagara Falls, in Ontario, Canada, because hotels on the U.S. side of the falls barred Black people. Among their platform’s demands was the abolition of all caste distinctions based on race or color. Discuss this anniversary by citing the values of voice and equality.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice and Talking About the Attacks on Critical Race Theory.
- Hashtag: #NiagaraMovement; #Reparations
On this day in 1960, the American classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, was published. The book focused on racial inequality and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. Use this anniversary to talk about the need for writers and other artists to challenge injustice. Refer to the values of voice and community.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; Power of Pop: What TV Gets Wrong About Getting By; and Working with Cultural Influencers
- Hashtag: #ToKillAMockingbird; #CreativeChange
July 13
On this day in 2013, George Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting and killing of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin. This sparked the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Sandra Bland also died in police custody on this day in 2015, after being arrested for a minor traffic violation. On these anniversaries, lift up Martin and Bland’s lives and discuss the values of equity and safety.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Beyond Policing; Criminal Justice Reform Phrase Guide; Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; Opportunity for Black Men and Boys; Create Fair and Effective Policing Practices; and Why People Trust Their Lying Eyes: Implicit Bias and the Limitations of Video Footage in Tackling Police Brutality
- Hashtags: #BlackLivesMatter; #racialjustice
July 16
Ida B. Wells, the pioneering journalist and founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was born on this day in 1862. Wells was one of the first journalists to investigate lynchings across the United States. Use her birthday as a hook to discuss the importance of working for racial and economic justice. Cite the values of economic opportunity, equity, and voice.
- Messaging and communications tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice and Talking About the Attacks on Critical Race Theory.
- Hashtags: #IdaBWells; #racialjustice
July 17
On this day in 2014, New York City police officers killed Eric Garner for selling single cigarettes. He was put in a chokehold which resulted in his death. Garner was recorded saying, “I can’t breathe,” which has remained a rallying cry against police brutality following the murder of George Floyd. Honor Eric and discuss policing and racial justice issues by citing the values of voice, equity, and safety.
- Messaging and communications tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Beyond Policing; Criminal Justice Reform Phrase Guide; Create Fair and Effective Policing Practices; Implicit Bias and the Limitations of Video Footage in Tackling Police Brutality and Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice;
- Hashtags: #EricGarner; #BlackLivesMatter; #racialjustice
July 20
On this day in 1951, the Mattachine Society formally organized and ratified its “Missions and Purposes” as a California corporation. The organization was one of the earliest LGBTQ activist organizations in the United States. Uplift this anniversary by citing the values of voice and equity.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Tips for Putting Intersectionality into Practice and LGBTQ Pride: Celebrating The Gains While We Keep On Keeping On The Fight For Full Liberation
- Hashtag: #MattachineSociety
July 21- 24
The Comic-Con International 2022 show kicks off today in San Diego, CA. The massive crowds that flock to this convention make it one of the can’t-miss annual events for lovers of popular arts and comics. The conference presents an opportunity for creative interventions uplifting the #PowerofPop to shape narratives through the stories we love. Cite the values of voice, economic opportunity, and equity when discussing the powerful impact of pop culture representation.
- Messaging and communications tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Power of Pop: What TV Gets Wrong About Getting By; Power of Pop: The Case of the Cultural Influencers: Colin Kaepernick, Jimmy Kimmel, and #MeToo; and Power of Pop: Media Analysis of Representations of Immigrants in Popular TV Shows.
- Hashtag: #SDCC and #SDCC2022
July 22
Poet Emma Lazarus was born on this day in 1849. Her poem “The New Colossus” is inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty and is frequently quoted in the immigration debate. How we treat people arriving at our borders speaks volumes about the values that define our nation’s laws. Use this hook to talk about the importance of welcoming immigrants and refugees and refer to the values of community, safety, and economic opportunity.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s The Importance of Maintaining our Identity as a Nation That Welcomes Refugees; Talking About Imprisoned Children at the Border; Justice Reform & Human Rights in a Time of Crisis: Releasing People from Detention; and 5 Tips for Talking About Border Communities Without Talking about a Wall
- Hashtag: #FreeThemAll; #EmmaLazarus; #StatueOfLiberty
July 24
On this day in 1972, the Washington Star broke the story of the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study conducted on 600 African-American sharecroppers. The exposure led to fundamental changes in medical research. Use this anniversary to underscore the importance of media coverage about people living in poverty and acknowledge vaccine hesitancy while amplifying trusted, public health voices in Black and brown communities. Cite the values of equity and community.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Ten Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism and Racial Justice; Talking About Economic Justice; Opportunity for Black Men and Boys; and COVID-19 Messaging Resources
- Hashtag: #TuskegeeStudy
Since 2011, July 24 has been celebrated as International Self-Care Day. Self-care is imperative for healthier lifestyles and should be integrated into families, communities, organizations, and society. Take this time to invest in the wellness of your mind, body, and soul.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Activists Share Their Self Care Tips
- Hashtag: #InternationalSelfCareDay
July 26
On this day in 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This was the result of many years of advocacy by disability rights activists and allies. Use the anniversary to discuss the critical importance of accessibility in both government policy and social movements. Use the values of equity and economic opportunity.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Opportunity Impact Statement – Expanding the American Dream
- Hashtags: #ADA
July 28
The Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees was signed on this day in 1951. The international treaty established the definition of who is a refugee, and its geographic scope was extended worldwide in 1967. Use this hook to discuss the international commitments of the United States and our nation’s long history of welcoming refugees. Cite the values of community and safety.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s The Importance of Maintaining our Identity as a Nation That Welcomes Refugees
- Hashtags: #refugeeswelcome; #withrefugees
July 30
On this day in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson created both Medicaid and Medicare by signing into law an amendment to the Social Security Act. Investments in Medicaid to expand access to programs like Medicaid HCBS opens doors for people with disabilities to live near family, friends and contribute to our communities. Refer to the values of economic opportunity and community.
- Messaging and communication tools: The Opportunity Agenda’s Talking About Poverty & Economic Opportunity Today: Three Core Pillars; and Shifting the Narrative on Poverty.
- Hashtags: #MedicaidCantWait
