Cultural Heritage Celebrations

National Heritage Celebrations are the foundation of cultural education at the George Washington University’s (GW) Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC). In order to connect with someone different, it is critical to be grounded in one's own culture, history, and traditions. Understanding what is important to our own community increases affinity for a differing community.

The MSSC leads the GW community in celebrating:

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in April
Black History Month in February
Women's History Month in March
Latinx Heritage Month in September 15 - October 15
Native American Heritage Month in November
South Asian Heritage Month in March

Asian and Pacific Islander Community

The Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community at the George Washington University (GW) is a diverse group of students, faculty and staff, who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences unified under the goal of cultural awareness. Currently, Asian student enrollment is 10% at the undergraduate level and 9% at the graduate level at GW.

With 17 student organizations promoting the values and traditions of East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Pacific Island cultures, API programs include culture shows, distinguished guest lectures and other educational events.

Throughout the month of April, GW celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Heritage showcasing the rich history, culture and accomplishments of the API community. The Multicultural Student Services Center provides logistical support for API organizations to collaborate and promote cultural awareness.

Shatter: Deconstructing the Model is the 2018 Asian Pacifici Islander Heritage theme held during the month of April available to the entire GW community ending with a keynote address from Wong Fu productions on April 30, 2018. For more information, visit the website of the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) for the full program list and registration.

Black Community

The Black community at the George Washington University (GW) is a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff, who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences unified under the goal of cultural awareness. Currently, Black student enrollment is 6.5% at the undergraduate level and 10% at the graduate level at GW.

With 22 student organizations promoting the values and traditions of African-American, Caribbean, African and Afro-Latino cultures, Black programs include culture shows, distinguished guest lectures and other educational events.

Throughout the month of February, GW celebrates Black heritage showcasing the rich history, culture and accomplishments of the Black community. The Multicultural Student Services Center provides logistical support for Black organizations to collaborate and promote cultural awareness.

Make ____ Black Again was the theme of the 2018 Black Heritage Celebration. Past events include performances inspired by a variety of soul, R&B, and hip-hop music videos, open discussions and panels regarding the impact of black culture on the fashion industry, and a keynote address from CNN Political Commentator, Angela Rye just to name a few. For more information, visit the website of the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) for the full program list and registration.

LGBTQIA+ Community

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community at the George Washington University (GW) is a diverse group of students, faculty and staff, who represent a variety of gender and sexual identities unified under the goal of awareness and education. With four student organizations celebrating and supporting students of diverse sexual and gender identities, students have access to unique and diverse programming designed to build community and raise awareness.

Throughout the year, LGBTQIA programming is integrated into cultural heritage celebrations, highlighting the intersections of sexual and gender identities with racial and cultural backgrounds.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) members of the George Washington University (GW) community celebrate sexual and gender diversity and inclusion with their friends and allies by participating each year in National Coming Out Day on or around October 11. Diverse programs featuring speakers and film screenings bring together students, staff and faculty of diverse sexual and gender identities to applaud the many contributions of LGBTQIA individuals to the GW community, as well as to recommit to making GW an inclusive learning environment for all students. The Multicultural Student Services Center organizes this event in celebration of sexual and gender diversity and inclusion. For more information, visit the website of the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) for upcoming special events and resources.

Latinx Community

The Latinx community at the George Washington University (GW) is a diverse group of students, faculty and staff, who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences unified under the goal of cultural awareness. Currently, Latinx student enrollment is 7.5% at the undergraduate level and 5% at the graduate level at GW.

With 12 student organizations promoting the values and traditions of North American, Central American, South American and Caribbean cultures, Latinx programs include culture shows, distinguished guest lectures and other educational events.

From September 15 to October 15, GW celebrates Latinx heritage showcasing the rich history, culture and accomplishments of the Latinx community. The Multicultural Student Services Center provides logistical support for Latinx organizations to collaborate and promote cultural awareness.

Estamos para Quedarnos: Here to Stay was the 2018 Latinx Heritage Celebration theme with events including open discussions and panels regarding Latinx culture and debunking stereotypes to La Fiestasa celebrated with Latin music, performances, and cuisines just to name few. For more information, visit the website of the Multicultural Student Services Center for the full program list and registration.

Native American Community

The Native American community at the George Washington University (GW) is a diverse group of students, faculty and staff, who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences unified under the goal of cultural awareness. Currently, Native American student enrollment is .1% at the undergraduate level and .3% at the graduate level at GW.

With two student organizations promoting the values and traditions of Native American and Alaskan Native cultures, Native American programs include culture shows, distinguished guest lectures and other educational events.

Throughout the month of November, GW celebrates Native American heritage showcasing the rich history, culture and accomplishments of the Native American community. The Multicultural Student Services Center provides logistical support for Native American organizations to collaborate and promote cultural awareness. For more information visit the website of the Multicultural Student Services Center for the full program list and registration.

Religious and Faith Community

The Religious and Faith community at the George Washington University (GW) is a diverse group of students, faculty and staff, who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences unified under the goal of religious celebration and interfaith sharing. Currently, Roman Catholic and Jewish student enrollment represent the largest combined percentage of the undergraduate population, with religiously unaffiliated students representing the next largest self-identification.

With 22 student organizations promoting the values, beliefs and traditions of numerous religious and faith traditions, Religious Life programs include worship services, community building, study of sacred texts, as well as signature interfaith events, including the 9/11 Interfaith Vigil, the Interfaith Dinner and the Interfaith Baccalaureate.

Throughout the year, GW celebrates religious holidays and faith traditions (PDF). The Multicultural Student Services Center provides logistical support for religious and faith-based organizations to collaborate and promote dialogue. For more information, visit the website of the Multicultural Student Services Center for upcoming special events and registration.

South Asian Community

The South Asian community at the George Washington University (GW) is a diverse group of students, faculty and staff, who represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences unified under the goal of cultural awareness. Currently, Asian student enrollment is 10% at the undergraduate level and 9% at the graduate level at GW. The South Asian community is a significant subset of the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) community at large. APIA's reflect the cultures of 49 different countries. South and South Eastern Asian countries share a strong centralized cultural history and tend to celebrate APIA Heritage Month in tandem with other Asian countries.

With 17 student organizations promoting the values and traditions of South and Central Asian cultures, South Asian programs include culture shows, distinguished guest lectures and other educational events.

Throughout the month of March, GW celebrates South Asian heritage showcasing the rich history, culture and accomplishments of the South Asian community. The Multicultural Student Services Center provides logistical support for South Asian organizations to collaborate and promote cultural awareness.

Red, White, and Brown: Audacity of Equality was the theme of the 2018 South Asian Heritage Celebration ranging from open discussion and panels regarding the lives of queer South Asian students to the Bhangra Blowout, the oldest intercollegiate bhangra competition in the country. For more information, visit the website of the Multicultural Student Services Center for the full program list and registration.