The Opportunity Agenda

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
2027-12-24
On Oct. 24, 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) took effect, creating for the first time a federal right to a minimum wage and overtime while also banning child labor. Discuss this important anniversary by citing the values of Economic Security and Mobility.

Andre Maurice Hill
2027-12-22
On December 22, 2020, police shot and killed Andre Maurice Hill in Columbus, OH. The officer, who was later fired and indicted by a grand jury, failed to turn on his body camera prior to firing his weapon. When discussing this anniversary, point to the failure of moderate police reforms to keep people safe. Instead, emphasize the need for policymakers to reinvest in Black communities to create economic opportunity and safety.

U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Fred Korematsu
2027-12-18
On this day in 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Fred Korematsu, declaring the denial of civil liberties based on race and national origin was constitutional. Fred Korematsu was a U.S. citizen and the son of Japanese immigrants. He had refused to be interned with other Japanese-Americans during World War II. Use this anniversary to paint a vision of a nation where racism has no place. Cite the values of equity, voice, and community.

International Migrants Day
2027-12-18
International Migrants Day recognizes and celebrates the rights of migrants around the world. In discussing migration, we recommend leading with the values of economic opportunity and community.

Bill of Rights Day
2027-12-15
President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated Dec. 15 as Bill of Rights Day to commemorate the first ten amendments becoming a part of the U.S. Constitution. A few years later, Roosevelt called for a Second Bill of Rights to expand economic opporunity and prosperity. In telling your story, we recommend leading with the values of equity and community.

Hanukkah
2027-12-14 - 2027-12-22
As you prepare for the holiday season, help your audiences get ready for effective and meaningful family conversations. Refer to values of equity, voice, and community.

Ella Baker
2027-12-13
Today is the birthday of activist Ella Baker, who played an instrumental role in the civil rights movement. Use this day to talk about the intersectional nature of the struggle for racial justice in the United States. Cite the values of equity and community when talking about Ella Baker and her legacy.

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine
2027-12-11
On this day in 2020, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. The pandemic laid bare systemic inequality in the United States. Inequitable access to healthcare and paid sick or medical leave to care for families hampered vaccine access, once again revealing race-class disparities in communities. When discussing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, center conversations around the values of safety, equity, and community.

Jakelin Caal Maquin
2027-12-08
On this day in 2018, seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin died while in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody. Discuss the anniversary of her death by citing the values of safety and economic opportunity.

Thirteenth Amendment Ratified
2027-12-06
On December 6, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was officially ratified. The amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This exception is often discussed in today’s discussions about criminal justice reform (including Ava DuVernay’s documentary, “13th”). Use this anniversary to talk about the continued need for racial justice in the United States, especially in our criminal justice system. Cite the values of equity and safety.

The National Hunger March reached Washington D.C.
2027-12-06
On this day in 1931, The National Hunger March reached Washington D.C. The marchers demanded “unemployment insurance, the seven-hour workday with no cut in pay; a federal work program paying union wages; an end to racial discrimination and deportations of immigrant workers; support for the demands of the veterans and poor farmers; and that all funds being built up for making war be used instead to help the unemployed.” Throughout its history, the United States has risen to the challenge of poverty and hunger. Today, we continue to work to eradicate these issues. In telling your story, we recommend referring to the values of economic opportunity, community, and equity.

Montgomery Bus Boycott began
2027-12-05
On this day, four days after Rosa Parks was arrested, the Montgomery Bus Boycott began. Out of Montgomery’s 50,000 African American residents, 30,000 – 40,000 participated in the boycott. The protest lasted for 381 days. Residents walked, bicycled, or carpooled to deprive the bus company of a substantial portion of its revenue.

Poor People’s Campaign
2027-12-04
On this day in 1967, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told reporters in a press conference that the Southern Christian Leadership Conference would start an initiative that came to be called the Poor People’s Campaign. The campaign continues today. Discuss this anniversary by referring to the values of economic opportunity, equity, and voice.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
2027-12-03
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It was created by the United Nations to empower and ensure inclusion for persons with disabilities. Discuss this hook by citing the values of voice, community, and economic opportunity.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
2027-12-02
December 2 is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, an opportunity to uplift the need for an honest reckoning with the United States’ legacy of slavery. In telling your story, we recommend leading with the values of equity, voice, and economic opportunity.

World AIDS Day
2027-12-01
Today is World AIDS Day, an annual event to show support for those living with AIDS and to honor those who have died from AIDS-related illness.

Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat
2027-12-01
On this day in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the “whites only” section on the bus, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. This anniversary provides an opportunity to discuss the ongoing struggle for racial justice and counter efforts to undermine an honest recounting of our nation’s history. Reference the values of equity, voice, and community.

Harriet Tubman's First Underground Railroad Mission
2027-12-01
In December 1850, abolitionist Harriet Tubman engineered her first rescue mission as part of the Underground Railroad. The exact date is unknown. Tubman organized 13 rescues in which she led about 70 people to freedom. Tubman is the subject of the film, “Harriet.” Discuss Tubman’s legacy by citing the values of voice and equity.

Shirley Chisholm
2027-11-30
Shirley Chisholm was born on this day in 1924. Chisolm was the first Black woman elected to Congress. Cite the values of Voice and Equality when talking about this day.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
2027-11-25
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was created on this day in 2002. Despite the mountain of evidence documenting the agency’s disregard for human life and cruel practices, Congress and the White House continue funding an agency that has deported millions of people and separated thousands of families. Cite the values of safety, equity, and economic opportunity.

Department of Homeland Security
2027-11-25
On this day in 2002, the Department of Homeland Security was founded when President George Bush signed the Homeland Security Act into law, more than a year after the September 11th attacks. This bold government restructuring reframed immigration as a national security issue. Use this anniversary to discuss the legacy of DHS agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. Cite the values of safety, economic opportunity, and community when discussing this anniversary.

Thanksgiving Weekend
2027-11-25
Thanksgiving is often a time when tough or awkward conversations arise around the dinner table. Use these tools to keep your conversations focused on values.

Television Academy's Emmy Awards
2027-11-24
The International Emmy Awards Gala ceremony will be hosted on November 24, 2025. The award ceremony offers an opportunity to reflect on the stories we tell as a culture and who tells them. Discuss the values of community, equity, and voice.

Tamir Rice
2027-11-22
On this day in 2014, police shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, Ohio for carrying a toy gun. He died the next day. Discuss the anniversary of his death by citing the values of safety and equity.

Native American activists landed on and occupied Alcatraz Island
2027-11-20
On Nov. 20, 1969, Native American activists landed on and occupied Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. They called themselves “Indians of All Tribes” and issued a proclamation, “We Hold the Rock.” The protest lasted for 19 months until the protest was forcibly ended by the U.S. government. Cite this anniversary as part of Native American History Month by using the values of voice and equity.

Transgender Day of Remembrance / Resilience
2027-11-20
Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance / Resilience, honoring those killed by anti-trans violence, which overwhelmingly targets Black and Latinx trans women and femmes. In 2014, the Audre Lorde Project founded Trans Day of Resilience to celebrate the power of the living trans family. When talking about these issues, cite the values of voice and equality.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
2027-11-17 - 2027-11-23
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is sponsored each year by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. The event is an annual opportunity for people to come together and draw attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness. When talking about homelessness this week, cite the values of community and economic opportunity.

Safe Drinking Water Act
2027-11-16
On this day in 1974, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Safe Drinking Water Act. The legislation was supposed to ensure access to safe drinking water across the country, but the law clearly has not been enforced equally, with disparate impacts on Black and other communities of color. Use this anniversary to discuss the issue of environmental racism and the importance of equitable infrastructure spending. Promote the values of community and safety.

Ruby Bridges
2027-11-14
On this day in 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges integrated her New Orleans elementary school. She was escorted by four federal marshals and was met by a white mob who screamed insults and slurs. The historic impacts of redlining mean that true school integration is still an issue in neighborhoods nationwide. In the context of ongoing educational inequity and attacks on critical race theory, use this anniversary to discuss the need for real school integration and an honest reckoning with our nation’s history. Cite the values of equity, economic opportunity, and community.

Desegregation of Buses in Alabama (Browder v. Gayle)
2027-11-13
On Nov. 13, 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down segregation on Montgomery buses (Browder v. Gayle) and ordered Alabama to desegregate all public buses. Less than a year before, activist Rosa Parks was arrested for violating bus segregation laws by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. Her action launched a boycott of the buses that lasted for months. Fred Gray filed a lawsuit challenging bus segregation in federal district court on behalf of four Black women who had faced discrimination. Use this anniversary to discuss the values of voice and equity.
