In 2020, ASI started an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion working group (EDIWG). The goal is to take an honest look at our company and hear hard truths. We are taking active steps to ensure we have an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and humanity.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Our commitment to treat everyone with respect, dignity, and humanity
ASI HOLIDAY DIVERSITY INITIATIVE
The EDIWG established an ASI Holiday Diversity Initiative. This initiative includes month-long celebrations and individual holidays that go beyond our traditional federal holidays. These holidays provide a great framework to highlight diverse communities and invite people to learn about histories, cultures, and religions that are different from their own.
Month-Long Celebrations
These include celebrations such as Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and LGBTQ+ Pride Month. For these government recognized celebrations, we :
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- Modify our corporate logo to take on the colors typically associated with the month-long celebration. Employees can use it in their email signatures to show their affiliation and/or alliance.
- Make recommendations to learn more about the community being celebrated. This is done through art/media, charities, acts of service, and economic support, including:
- Book, Movie, and TV Recommendations
- Charities to Learn About
- Volunteer Opportunities to Explore
- Locally-Owned Businesses that are owned by members of the community being celebrated
Individual Holidays
These celebrations include an all-staff email on the day of the holiday to acknowledge the event. Employees may volunteer to share personal stories around the holiday if they wish. The EDIWG researches and provides a brief background on the holiday and how to celebrate. They verify with members of the community to ensure accuracy and appropriateness. In addition, ASI will make social media posts on our corporate feeds to acknowledge the holiday. ASI also supports employee-led and coordinated activities designed to celebrate the day.
MONTH-LONG
CELEBRATIONS
Black History Month (February)
Women’s History Month (March)
Greek Heritage Month (March)
Jewish-American Heritage Month (May)
Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
LGBTQ+ Pride Month (June)
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th – October 15th)
National Disability Employment Awareness (October)
Filipino American History Month (October)
Native American Heritage Month (November)
INDIVIDUAL HOLIDAYS
(JANUARY – JUNE)
Martin Luther King, Jr Birthday
Lunar New Year
Presidents’ Day
Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday
St. Patrick’s Day
Passover
Easter
Ramadan
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
INDIVIDUAL HOLIDAYS
(JULY – DECEMBER)
Independence Day
Labor Day
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Diwali
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving
Hanukkah
Christmas
Kwanzaa
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“As a group, we are trying to carve out time and intention, to slow down and listen, to pay attention and respond to the unique experience and needs of minority groups that we may inadvertently overlook in our habitual day-to-day. “
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“Imagine a football team where everyone played the same position – it wouldn’t score too many points. Our differences should bring us together, making us more interesting and inclusive.”
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“We want to foster an alliance between the majority and minority. It’s not us vs. them – we’re in this together, and we can raise each other up with our unique contributions.”
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“This is a work in progress and we know we’ll have missteps along the way. But we’re dedicated to learning, growing, and becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, where all employees can bring their whole selves to work.”
