The Opportunity Agenda

Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees
2026-07-28
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.

Americans with Disabilities Act
2026-07-26
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 opportunity.

International Self-Care Day
2026-07-24
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.

Tuskegee Syphilis Study
2026-07-24
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 how systemic racism impacts healthcare outcomes in Black and brown communities. Cite the values of equity and community.

Comic-Con International
2026-07-23 - 2026-07-26
The Comic-Con International 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 powerful impact of pop culture representation—#PowerofPop—to shape narratives through the stories we love. Cite the values of voice, economic opportunity, and equity.

Emma Lazarus
2026-07-22
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 opportunity.

Mattachine Society
2026-07-20
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.

Eric Garner
2026-07-17
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 Garner and discuss policing and racial justice issues by citing the values of voice, equity, and safety.

Ida B. Wells
2026-07-16
On this day in 1862, Ida B. Wells was born. Wells founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a pioneering journalist, one of the first 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.

Sandra Bland
2026-07-13
On this day in 2015, Sandra Bland mysteriously died in police custody. Days earlier she was arrested for a minor traffic violation by Texas state troopers. Cell phone footage from her phone, released years after her death, renewed questions regarding the officer’s testimony. On this anniversary, discuss the values of equity and safety.

To Kill a Mockingbird
2026-07-11
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.

Niagara Movement
2026-07-11
On July 11, 1905, W.E.B Du Bois 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 equity.

14th Amendment Ratified
2026-07-09
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.

Philando Castile
2026-07-06
On this day in 2016, Philando Castile was killed by Minnesota police officer Jeronime Yanez during a routine traffic stop. Castile’s girlfriend recorded the encounter while her infant daughter sat in the back seat. On this anniversary, discuss the ongoing need to end police brutality using the values of safety and equity.

Frida Kahlo
2026-07-06
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.

Alton Sterling
2026-07-05
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.

Independence Day
2026-07-04
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.

Civil Rights Act of 1964
2026-07-02
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.

National Postal Worker Day
2026-07-01
On this day in 1997, Seattle-area postal workers organized the first National Postal Worker Day. From the COVID-19 pandemic to mail-in voting, recent events 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.

Trump's Family Separation Policy
2026-06-30
On this day in 2018, activists organized nationwide protests in opposition to the Trump administration’s family separation policy, which separated countless immigrant children from their parents and shed light on cruel practices that existed before and endured beyond Trump. Discuss this anniversary by citing the values of safety, equity, and community.

Furman v. Georgia
2026-06-29
On this day in 1972, the Supreme Court struck down the death penalty, ruling in Furman v. Georgia that it was unconstitutional under the 8th and 14th Amendments. Justice William O. Douglas concluded that the death penalty “is disproportionately imposed and carried out on the poor, the Negro, and the members of unpopular groups.” Four years later, the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty on the idea that it was constitutional under the 8th Amendment. Discuss this anniversary by citing the values of equity, safety, voice, and community.

Stonewall Uprising
2026-06-28
Today is the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a key turning point in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ rights. Use the anniversary to discuss the importance of intersectionality in our movements and the ongoing work to achieve racial and economic justice in the LGBTQIA+ community. Cite the values of safety, opportunity, community, and voice.

Bree Newsome
2026-06-27
On this day in 2015, activist Bree Newsome removed the Confederate battle flag after climbing the flagpole in front of the South Carolina Capitol building. Confederate flags and monuments honoring the Confederacy remain in cities and communities across the United States and serve as flashpoints in our national reckoning with slavery and racial injustice. Cite the values of community, voice, safety, and equity when discussing this hook.

Muslim Ban
2026-06-26
On this day in 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the third iteration of President Trump’s “Muslim Ban.” Previously, lower federal courts had found each iteration to be blatantly anti-Muslim, unconstitutional, and an abuse of the president’s power. Although the Biden Administration rescinded Trump’s order, this date remains important given the persistence of anti-Muslim discrimination. Discuss this anniversary by citing the values of voice, equity, and community.

The G.I. Bill
2026-06-22
On this day in 1944, President Truman signed the G.I. Bill. As a result, thousands of World War II veterans were able to apply for funds for college education, unemployment insurance, and housing loans. However, less than 2% of these mortgages went to people of color. This is a good time to talk about the important role government can play in creating economic opportunities for everyone. Cite the values of equity and community.

Father's Day
2026-06-21
Father’s Day is an important time to talk about racial justice and economic opportunity with your community. The separation of immigrant families, impacts of discriminatory policing and mass incarceration, and cultural attacks on LGBTQ+ communities can make this a hard and heavy day for many. Talk about the need to protect family unity and inclusively celebrate all families on this date. Focus on the values of opportunity, safety, and equity.

World Refugee Day
2026-06-20
Recognized annually on this day, World Refugee Day commemorates the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees. From the impacts of climate change to fleeing violence, connect this international observance to what’s happening in the United States and across the world. Cite the values of community, safety, and opportunity when discussing this.

Juneteenth
2026-06-19
Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved Americans gained their freedom in Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Today’s celebrations provide the opportunity to discuss the enduring legacies of racial injustice. Join the conversation, citing the values of opportunity, equity, voice, and community.

Plyler v. Doe
2026-06-15
On this day in 1982, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Plyler v. Doe that states could not deny public education to students who were not legally admitted into the country. Doing so, they said, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Since the ruling only applied to K-12 students, other court cases and legislation made it possible for some states to deny undocumented students access to in-state tuition, scholarships, or enrollment at public colleges and universities. Cite the values of voice, equity, and community on this date.

DACA Announced by Pres. Obama
2026-06-15
On this day in 2012, President Obama announced the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that allows those who arrived as children — many of whom know no homeland other than the United States — to live and contribute to their communities without fear of deportation. Advocates continue to call on Congress to create a permanent solution for DACA recipients and their families. For information on the status of the program, follow the National Immigration Law Center and United We Dream. Discuss this anniversary by referring to the values of voice, community, and opportunity.
