Pride, Juneteenth and Landmark Anniversaries: Your June Communications Calendar
May 30, 2024
By: Mori Oriowo
June kicks off summer — the season of parades, county fairs and festivals, weddings, graduations, and so much more.
It also gives us time to rest, recharge, and start thinking about our summer content for the month ahead.
But above all else, June is a month full of significant holidays, opportunities to raise awareness about important issues, and landmark anniversaries.
June, of course, is Pride Month — a time where LGBTQ+ communities and allies come together to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and raise awareness about the challenges and discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
At a time when the freedom of LGBTQ+ individuals are under attack in many areas of our nation, Pride Month offer an opportunity for your organization to push back against these attacks. It's also a time to evaluate your organization’s communications and messaging to ensure that they respect and honor all of your audiences.
Here are some other important dates for you to keep in mind as you plan out your communications and PR for June.
June
June 1. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any social good organization. Volunteers’ Week offers the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation or showcase some dedicated volunteers on your social channels or other communications.
June 5. Similar to Earth Day, World Environment Day offers a timely hook to raise awareness around environmental issues and how communities can work together to protect the planet.
June 18. Anniversary of women’s rights advocate Susan B. Anthony’s arrest in 1863 for voting in Rochester, N.Y. She was fined $100, which would translate to nearly $2,500 in today’s dollars.
With Election 2024 looming, this anniversary offers an opportunity to emphasize the importance of voter registration – and highlight the power and importance of women voters.
June 19. Juneteenth Think about how your organization can honor this day and beyond, by celebrating Juneteenth, promoting equality and promoting your commitment to diversity and equity.
June 20. Summer Solstice The summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Check out some of the ancient and modern-day ways of celebrating this once-a-year event.
June 21. Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River caught fire due to pollution on this day in 1969. While the river still faces challenges, it’s in much better shape than when it proved flammable. Consider using this as hook for a thought leadership piece that focuses how seemingly daunting issues can be addressed effectively – and the importance of continued commitment to change.
June 29. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 passed on this day after an 83-day filibuster in the U.S. Senate. Consider the 60th anniversary of this landmark legislation as an opportunity to reinforce your organization’s commitment to equity amid ongoing and emerging challenges to DEI efforts.
