Four Ways to Celebrate Culture and Community Through Authentic Communications
Pictured: Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations generally observed Nov. 1-2.
September 13, 2024
Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) is right around the corner — and Native American Heritage Month (November) isn’t far behind.
For organizations that are intentional about advancing equity and celebrating diversity, these heritage months offer an opportunity to highlight communities and cultures that are too often misunderstood and overlooked by many Americans.
Here are some tips to help you capture these opportunities through storytelling, podcasts, workshops, and social media.
Unlock the power of oral storytelling
The most memorable and compelling stories often aren’t found in history books and research projects.
Instead, they can be discovered through oral stories passed down from generation to generation.
As you look to celebrate and uplift cultures, consider enlisting storytellers who are skilled at showcasing the history and fabric of a community through the spoken word.
You can do this by having a local author read their work, having a storyteller share an account of a historical event, or interviewing a community member on a podcast or webinar.
Find local voices
Local stories told by local voices can provide unique windows into your community.
Yet I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen organizations bring in out-of-state speakers for Native American cultural events without considering how many cultural workers we have in North Carolina, my home state.
That’s because organizers are often unaware of those already working in their own communities.
My advice? Take some extra steps to learn about the people and voices who are in their own backyard.
Unsure of where to start? Ask your state's Commission of Indian Affairs office. Chances are your local diversity and equity offices at universities or art museums are already connected with storytellers, artists and cultural workers.
Recognize and celebrate the intersection of identities
Many people have more than one identity.
Yet during Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, community members who identify as Afro Latino rarely are asked about their experiences.
And as our nation continues to grow more diverse, we have an opportunity to highlight stories that reflect an intersection of identities.
Listen, ask questions, and be genuine
Allow the communities you’re uplifting to tell their own stories and drive the conversation.
You can also provide support by amplifying their causes by sharing information about fundraisers or cultural events.
As someone who has served as a cultural worker and conducted workshops for over 10 years, I can tell you from my personal experience the common feedback I hear from those like me:
Consider recruiting us year round, not just during heritage months when our calendars fill up quickly. This is also true for other heritage months, such as Black History Month, as well.
Please pay us an honorarium that at least covers the cost of transportation and materials.
If you’re not sure how to highlight a community, ask someone from that community already doing the work. Chances are they can easily offer suggestions.
P.S. During Native American Heritage Month I will be presenting a Snack N Learn on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis. If you’re interested in attending this free event, please email me at nicki@turn-two.co. I’ll be happy to share the date, time, and registration link when it’s available.
