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Rev. Nilsa Irizarry:
Welcome. My name is Reverend Nilsa Irizarry, senior equity officer. My co-author is Brittany Williams, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Equity Officer, and affiliated
with the Bureau of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access and the Office of
Racial Equity and Belonging in the Chicago Department of Public Health. The title “Together We Are Public Health: Fostering a Climate of Belonging Through Cultural Heritage Month Celebrations.”

Recognizing Cultural Heritage Month in the workplace is a meaningful way to nourish a sense of belonging. Employees often experience feelings of disconnection, unseen, unheard, and disrespected, to what could seem like an enforced assimilation in a workplace that overlooks their unique identities. This lack of belonging can result in decreased morale, employee engagement, and productivity.

Celebrations foster a greater understanding of diverse cultural identities and encourage inclusivity and belonging. By honoring the months, the department can cultivate a sense of a space where all employees feel acknowledged, respected, and valued. Therefore, contributing to the organization’s mission and values. You see, Chicago is a vibrant city with cultural diversity and 77 communities, each contributing to its own traditions, languages, and histories. Our workforce has played a crucial role in fostering collaborative partnerships and developing care and services across these communities, particularly in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebrations of the month often dedicate opportunities to recognize the histories, contributions, and cultures of communities, create learning opportunities that present cultural and historical context, facilitated by various community leaders, community-based organizations, and practitioners aiming to raise awareness about critical issues such as racial inequities. Cultural collaboration across the department workforce, establishing monthly planning committees to lead, coordinate, and promote culture awareness throughout the year. Each committee had an opportunity to focus on a specific cultural heritage group, and all staff members were encouraged to join in the activities.

The committees were able to develop their own programming, which included activities such as lunch and learns and potluck celebrations. In 2024, they effectively engaged 1635 participants in 29 events. The collaboration and planning highlighted the importance of cross-departmental involvement in nourishing a sense of belonging in the workplace. We hope to broaden the program in the following year and increase the evaluation methods.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of the Chicago Department of Public Health for championing this program to recognize and thank all our colleagues who played a crucial role in planning and executions of the month. Their dedication to promoting equity and cultural awareness was essential to the success of these celebrations. Furthermore, we appreciate all the employees who participated and engaged in each of the programs, strengthening our collective mission for a more connected and inclusive workplace.