The Opportunity Agenda

Loving Day
2024-06-12
Loving Day celebrates the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision on the case of Loving v. Virginia, which struck down all state laws banning interracial marriage. In 2022, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the federal government’s recognition and respect of both same-sex and interracial marriages. This legislation passed in response to SCOTUS’ decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which raised concern that other landmark cases would be threatened. Use the anniversary to talk about racial justice with the values of equity and voice.

Griswold v. Connecticut
2024-06-07
On this day in 1965, the Supreme Court upheld the “right of marital privacy” in the case of Griswold v. Connecticut, which ensured access to contraception. The case provided precedent for the court to legalize abortion in the Roe v. Wade case eight years later. The Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overrule Roe also raised concern about how the right to privacy might be further threatened in other landmark decisions. When discussing the intersecting harms of the political attacks on reproductive freedom, remember to advance narratives of full rights and justice for everyone, especially those living in poverty and Black, brown, and Indigenous communities. Cite the values of opportunity and equity.

Kalief Browder
2024-06-06
On this day in 2015, Kalief Browder took his own life after spending three years in New York’s Rikers Island jail. Browder had been awaiting trial for stealing a backpack and spent two years in solitary confinement. Supporters point to Browder’s incarceration as the source of his mental health struggle. Cite the values of equity and safety on this date.

Tribeca Film Festival
2024-06-05 - 2024-06-16
The Tribeca Festival in New York City is one of the major film festivals held annually and includes not only film premieres and competitions but also live music performances and industry talks on film, television, audio storytelling, and more. Visit the festival website for information on passes and packages. Cite the values of voice and opportunity when discussing the importance of pop culture and media to shifting narratives on social issues.

19th Amendment
2024-06-04
Today is the anniversary in 1919 of Congress approving the Constitution’s 19th amendment, which gave white women the right to vote. While an important accomplishment, Jim Crow laws prevented many women of color from exercising this right for decades. Women of color continue to lead civic engagement within our communities, using both organizing and cultural strategies to expand voting rights in the face of continued efforts to suppress votes in communities of color. Cite the values of equity and voice when talking about this anniversary.

Black Music Appreciation Month
2024-06-01
June is also Black Music Appreciation Month, a celebration dating back to 1979 highlighting the Black traditions that created, defined, and expanded musical forms, including sacred, folk, blues, jazz, R&B, rock, hip-hop, and more. While it might seem that Black music hardly needs a special time for appreciation, given its dominant everyday presence in American culture, Black artists, promoters, record labels, radio stations, and venues have often been sidelined or cut out of the economic opportunities their cultural contributions generate. Emphasize the values of voice and opportunity when discussing the importance of racial justice in the music industry and online.

Immigrant Heritage Month
2024-06-01
First celebrated in June 2014, Immigrant Heritage Month celebrates the social, cultural, and economic contributions of immigrants to the United States. Powered by FWD.us Education Fund, this annual event aims to drive affirmative narratives by encouraging immigrants and allies to share their stories and drive action in their communities. Reference the values of opportunity, community, and voice.

PRIDE Month
2024-06-01
Happy Pride Month! As we come together for annual Pride celebrations, remember to uplift the intersectional issues impacting members of the LGBTQIA+ community, with an eye to racial, gender, and economic justice. Cite the values of safety, opportunity, community, and voice.

Dr. George Tiller
2024-05-31
On this day in 2009, an anti-abortion extremist assassinated Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kansas. Tiller was the medical director of Women’s Health Care Services. Use the anniversary of Tiller’s death to uplift the work of reproductive justice and the deadly consequences of legislation that restricts access to abortion. Cite the values of equity, economic opportunity, and community.

Walt Whitman
2024-05-31
Today is the birthday of Walt Whitman (b. 1819). Because Whitman criticized slavery and stood up for social justice, he is considered the first “poet of democracy” in the United States. The poet’s sexuality has been disputed but some still consider him a gay icon. Use Whitman’s birthday to discuss the role of artists in changing hearts and minds for lasting social change. Cite the values of voice and equity.

Brown II
2024-05-30
On May 30, 1955, the Supreme Court ordered that schools should be integrated “with all deliberate speed.” Known as “Brown II,” the order was issued because few schools had integrated since the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. Cite this anniversary by referring to the values of voice, equity, and opportunity.

“Ain’t I a Woman?” Speech
2024-05-29
On this day in 1851, Sojourner Truth made her famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech at the Women’s Rights Convention held in Akron, Ohio. Today, scholars see the speech as an intersectional critique of single-issue activism. It’s also an important anniversary in light of the potential impacts abortion bans and other state-level legislative attacks on reproductive rights have on people of color. Use the values of voice, equity, and community to discuss this anniversary.

Indian Removal Act
2024-05-28
On this day in 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed into law the Indian Removal Act. The law authorized the president to “negotiate” the removal of American Indian nations in the South to federal territory west of the Mississippi River, paving the way for white Americans to settle in their ancestral lands. Today, we see this act as legitimating the genocide of native people. Talk about this anniversary by citing the values of voice, equity, and community

Fair Minimum Wage Act
2024-05-25
On this day in 2007, President George W. Bush signed into law the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which gradually raised the federal minimum wage to $7.25 per hour. It was the last time that the federal minimum wage was raised. Use this anniversary to talk about the urgent need to create economic opportunity for more Americans by paying living wages. Cite the values of economic opportunity and community.

George Floyd
2024-05-25
On this day in 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. Chauvin’s actions, caught on video by a courageous teenage bystander, fueled nationwide mobilizing and organizing. Chauvin was found guilty on three charges of murder and manslaughter, a rare case of police accountability that lower-profile cases have seldom seen. Remember George Floyd and cite the values of safety and equity on this anniversary.

Red Nose Day
2024-05-23
Today is Red Nose Day which, through engagement with celebrities, raises awareness and funds to help children in need. Use this opportunity to discuss the power of working with cultural influencers and uplift the values of economic opportunity and community.

Harvey Milk
2024-05-22
Today is Harvey Milk Day, the birthday (in 1930) of one of the nation’s first openly gay elected officials. His life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1978. Milk’s life provides an important milestone in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights. Cite the values of voice, equity, and safety when discussing Milk’s legacy.

Resurrection City
2024-05-21
On this day in 1968, only a few weeks after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., civil rights activists formed the Poor People’s Campaign and set up a shantytown known as “Resurrection City” on the National Mall to draw attention to poverty in the United States. Many saw this as an initiative to complete King’s unfinished work. Use the anniversary of this action to discuss the values of community, voice, and economic opportunity.

Yuri Kochiyama & Malcolm X
2024-05-19
Today is the birthday of two racial justice champions: Yuri Kochiyama (1921) and Malcolm X (1925). Talk about their important work with your networks while also asserting the need for ongoing activism to address social and economic injustice. Cite the values of voice, equity, and economic opportunity.

Brown v. Board of Education
2024-05-17
On this day in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled on the case of Brown v. Board of Education that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal” and violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Cite this anniversary by referring to the values of voice, equity, and community.

Mother's Day
2024-05-12
Mother’s Day is an important time to discuss economic and racial justice for families. Past campaigns include creative interventions to share more inclusive “Mama’s Day” cards, release mothers from jail while advocating for an end to money bail, or oppose the separation and detention of families arriving at our borders. Celebrate the values of equity, economic opportunity, and community.

Yick Wo v. Hopkins
2024-05-10
On this day in 1886, the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Yick Wo v. Hopkins that all people—citizens and non-citizens—had equal protection under the law. The case stemmed from San Francisco’s discriminatory issuing of permits for laundries. Discuss this anniversary citing the values of equity, voice, and community.

Rockefeller Drug Laws
2024-05-08
On this day in 1973, Governor Nelson Rockefeller enacted the Rockefeller Drug Laws. These laws became the national policy model for the draconian war on drugs. As decriminalization and legalization conversations move forward, emphasize the importance of public health approaches to treating drug abuse and center economic justice for BIPOC communities by citing the values of equity, safety, and community.

Met Gala
2024-05-06
The Met Gala, or Met Ball, is an annual event bringing together celebrities, influencers, politicians, and other high-profile individuals to celebrate the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in New York City. Organized by Vogue around a particular theme, the event has become a platform for personalities to showcase innovative fashion and, at times, to make political statements. The gala – which is mostly accessible only to the wealthy – has also drawn much criticism, and protests are often held across the street. Use the event to talk about economic justice, sustainability and climate change, and social responsibility. Cite the values of opportunity and equity.

Chinese Exclusion Act
2024-05-06
On this day in 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act was signed into law by President Chester A. Arthur. In 2012, the U.S House of Representatives and Senate formally expressed regret for denying basic freedoms to Chinese Americans. Use this anniversary to acknowledge the United States’ long history of anti-Asian racism. Cite the values of equity, voice, and community.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
2024-05-05
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation recognizing this date as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. This observance follows years of Indigenous-led advocacy and organizing to shed light on the alarming rates of violence against Native American communities and the lack of justice for thousands of missing or murdered Indigenous people. Wear red on this day and uplift the values of safety and equity.

Star Wars Day
2024-05-04
Star Wars Day celebrates the Star Wars media franchise created by writer and director George Lucas. Starting with the iconic Skywalker film series and expanding to TV, books, comics, and even fan fiction, the world of Star Wars has grown to address various themes including family, caregiving, labor rights, activism, rebellion, criminal justice, and more. Use today to lift up your campaigns. Cite the values of economic opportunity, voice, equity, and community.

Keith Haring
2024-05-04
Today is the birthday of artist Keith Haring, who was a pioneer in pop and street art on LGBTQ issues. Use his birthday to talk about the importance of artists in the struggle for intersectional social justice. Cite the values of voice, equity, and community.

Freedom Riders
2024-05-04
On this day in 1961, the original group of 13 Freedom Riders left Washington, D.C. on a Greyhound bus to protest segregated bus terminals in the South. Use the anniversary to discuss ongoing threats and how today’s racial justice activism echoes their pioneering actions. Cite the values of voice and equity.

Pete Seeger
2024-05-03
Folksinger and activist Pete Seeger was born on this day in 1919. Use his birthday to uplift the essential role of artists and cultural strategies to shift narratives and win policy changes. Cite the values of economic justice, voice, and community.
