Celebrate diversity this Cinco de Mayo

Want a more creative office environment? Then celebrate the diversity and differences among co-workers. Try bringing people together socially during cultural heritage months and holidays.

The Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, for example, is one such opportunity. Organize a late-afternoon gathering around the event, and you encourage co-workers to consider the contributions of Mexican-Americans. And who wouldn’t want to attend a breakroom fiesta with authentic Mexican-American foods like quesadillas, black beans and salsa cruda?

Look ahead to other cultural heritage months coming up:

May:

• Jewish-American Heritage Month

May 5:

• Cinco de Mayo. Mexicans and Mexican-Americans celebrate the triumph of Mexican forces over the French army in Mexico in 1862. Tip: Find a Cinco de Mayo party invitation at Microsoft Office Online (under “Templates”).

June:

• Caribbean American Heritage Month

• Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender Pride Month

• Black Music Month

June 19:

• Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers rode through Texas announcing that Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

September:

• Scottish-American Heritage Month

• National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 – October 15:

• German-American Heritage Month (encompasses Oktoberfest)

October:

• National Italian Heritage Month

• Polish-American Heritage Month

November:

• Native American Indian Heritage Month.