"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now."

--- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

MONTHLY

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

National Blood Donor Month

National Braille Literacy Month

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

National Codependency Awareness Month

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

National Mentoring Month

Poverty in America Awareness Month

DAILY

January 1 – Happy New Year

January 1 – Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary

January 4 – World Braille Day

January 6 – Feast of the Epiphany

January 7 – Observance of Christmas

January 13 – Korean American Day

January 14 – Buddhist: Mahayana New Year

January 15 – Makar Sankranti

January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr.'s (MLK) Birthday

January 16 – National Religious Freedom Day

January 17 – National Day of Racial Healing

January 20 – MLK Observance Day

January 22 – Chinese/Lunar New Year

January 24 – International Day of Education

January 25 – Mahayana New Year

January 26 – Republic Day of India

January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 29- Lunar New Year

January 30 through Feb 1 – Feast of Ba’outha

"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way" -DR. KING

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, commonly known as MLK Day, is a significant national holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a day for remembrance, reflection, and community service, celebrating Dr. King's pivotal role in the fight against racial inequality and injustice. MLK Day inspires individuals to engage in activities that promote equality, justice, social harmony, and servant leadership, reinforcing a shared commitment to Dr. King's vision of a more inclusive and equitable society.

Check out promotional videos (Led by WB Students) below:

https://www.instagram.com/unitedwewalkwb/reel/DEwDm-9NkYO/

https://www.instagram.com/unitedwewalkwb/p/DDnAq_kvcQM/?img_index=1

Racial healing is a transformative process that helps individuals and communities restore wholeness, mend the harm caused by racism, and reshape societal structures to affirm the inherent worth of every person. It creates the opportunity to confront and acknowledge the truths of past injustices rooted in individual and systemic racism while addressing their ongoing impact on people, communities, and institutions today.

By fostering trust and cultivating genuine relationships, racial healing bridges the divides created by both real and perceived differences. It serves as a vital foundation for meaningful change, emphasizing the importance of starting with people before transforming systems and structures. Healing paves the way for communities to move forward together, united in their commitment to equity and inclusion.

Learn More Here: https://dayofracialhealing.org/

Attend a Local Event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-artist-healing-tickets-1143008111029

Books have a unique power to foster understanding, empathy, and connection, making them a transformative tool for racial healing. By amplifying diverse voices and sharing lived experiences, literature helps readers navigate the complexities of racial identity and confront their own biases. Stories from varied perspectives challenge stereotypes, deepen appreciation for human experiences, and open the door to meaningful conversations about race, identity, and systemic injustices.

Reading diverse stories not only broadens perspectives but also nurtures empathy, paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate community. By engaging with these narratives, we take collective steps toward understanding, reconciliation, and healing that go beyond individual experiences.

Here are some book recommendations from our early learning experts to enjoy with your little one as you explore the journey of racial healing together:

• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

• The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

• When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson

• Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle

• Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

• Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung

• Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

• You Matter by Christian Robinson

• Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

• All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

These books offer a wonderful way to spark meaningful conversations and nurture understanding in young readers, building a foundation for a more inclusive future.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day holds deep significance as a day of reflection, remembrance, and commitment to preventing atrocities of the past from recurring. As we honor the memory of the millions who endured during the Holocaust, let us approach this day with cultural sensitivity and empathy. It is an opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussions, educate ourselves about the historical context, and emphasize the importance of tolerance and understanding. By fostering a culture of remembrance and learning, we contribute to building a world where diversity is celebrated, and the lessons from history guide us toward a future of peace and unity.

In *Our Differences Make Us Stronger*, La June and her best friend, Jenefer, love school in Detroit, sitting together every day despite looking different from the other kids. But when Jenefer moves away, La June feels out of place. A new classmate, Eva, moves in, and everything about her seems unfamiliar.

When their teacher reshuffles the lunch seating, the class learns to explore the challenges and rewards of connecting across differences. Through open conversations, La June and her classmates discover that while it's natural to gravitate toward those like us, true community grows when we embrace and learn from our differences.

This story reflects the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's racial healing practices, inspiring young readers to share, listen, and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Justice:

How are we actively addressing and dismantling systemic inequities within our schools and community to ensure justice for all?

Respect:

In what ways are we fostering an environment that honors and respects the diverse identities, cultures, and experiences of every student and community member?

Dignity:

How are we ensuring that every individual in our schools and community feels valued, heard, and treated with dignity in both policies and daily interactions?

Empowerment:

What opportunities are we providing for students and community members to engage in meaningful conversations and actions that promote social justice and equity?

Legacy and Action:

How can we move beyond celebrating Dr. King’s legacy to living it daily, embedding his principles of nonviolence, equity, and unity into our educational practices and community initiatives?