Colleagues,

Cinco de Mayo, a holiday of the state of Puebla, commemorates the Battle of Puebla. On May 05, 1862, in the village of Puebla, two thousand Mexican soldiers stood against six thousand French troops and were victorious. When Napoleon III later returned with more forces and installed ArchDuke Maximillian to rule, “Cinco de Mayo” became the rallying cry for the fight against the French occupation. They celebrated each year with song, dance, and food to remain focused on regaining the country and retaining their heritage.

Mexico later won its independence on September 16, 1867, a date which the country celebrates as its independence day.

Learn more at https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo

Best Regards,

The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Colleagues,

The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history and culture of the United States. As Californians, this heritage month holds special significance. The first Asians documented in the Americas landed in California in 1587. Legislation for national recognition of this heritage month was first put forward by San Jose native Norman Y. Mineta in 1977. May was selected for AAPI heritage month to commemorate the first Japanese immigrant to the United states on May 6, 1843 and the joining of the first transcontinental railroad, completed using Chinese labor, on May 10, 1869.

You can learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at: https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov

Best Regards,

The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Colleagues,

The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history and culture of the United States. As Californians, this heritage month holds special significance. The first Asians documented in the Americas landed in California in 1587. Legislation for national recognition of this heritage month was first put forward by San Jose native Norman Y. Mineta in 1977. May was selected for AAPI heritage month to commemorate the first Japanese immigrant to the United states on May 6, 1843 and the joining of the first transcontinental railroad, completed using Chinese labor, on May 10, 1869.

You can learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at: https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov

Best Regards,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Colleagues,

The SJSU IT DEI Committee has partnered with the SJSU Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) to provide microaggression workshops for our entire division. This workshop was attended by division MPPs last year. It was highly engaging and resonated with the culture of inclusivity we’re building. I want to thank the DEI Committee for recommending we partner with ODEI and expand the workshops to all staff – extra kudos to DEI committee members Ryan Campbell and Maggie Panahi for spearheading this effort. Thanks to the DEI committee’s work, we’ll be the first division in the university to offer an ODEI workshop division-wide.

The workshop reviews the science behind microaggressions, cognitive empathy, and bias pathways in our thinking within our relationships in the workplace. It explores and emphasizes our roles in developing an actively inclusive climate. It also addresses concerns identified by employees in the SJSU Campus Climate and Belonging work and assessments. Workshops will be available during five sessions so that everyone will have the opportunity to attend.

I strongly encourage everyone to attend this workshop – please work with your area’s senior leader to determine which session works best for you and your team.

Thank you
Bob-

Colleagues,

The Festival of Eid-al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast-breaking, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days Dawn-to-Sunset fasting during the whole month of Ramadan. Eid Mubarak to all who are celebrating today and throughout the weekend with your families and friends.

For more information about the history of Ramadan: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/eid-al-fitr

Best Regards,
The SJSU IT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee