In early 2021, the City of Irvine passed a resolution reaffirming Irvine's commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our City and subsequently formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The committee's first campaign, We Are Irvine, aims to embrace and celebrate diversity and foster an environment that is inclusive of all cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, perspectives, and ways of thinking.
This web page is an arm of the We Are Irvine campaign and will be updated regularly to reflect the current and upcoming celebrations and observances of our community members and residents. For more health and human Services information, visit our We Are Irvine webpage.
| City of Irvine DE&I Events | |
| Irvine Multicultural Association | City Proclamations and Resolutions |
| Mock Village Proposal | Disability Services |
May 2024
For a description of all DEI recognitions, view our DE&I Calendar.
City of Irvine DE&I Events & Recognitions
Pride in Irvine
In honor of Harvey Milk Day and June Pride Month, the City of Irvine will host the third annual Pride in Irvine event Wednesday, May 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Irvine Civic Center Piazza. Come stand together as the City raises the Progress Flag in front of City Hall in recognition and support of our LGBTQIA+ community. Learn more at cityofirvine.org/pride.
Memorial Day Events .jpg)
In observance of Memorial Day, the City of Irvine is hosting two events that will offer intentional space and time to honor and remember the sacrifice of fallen American service members: the Northwood Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony Sunday, May 26, and the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park Monday, May 27. These ceremonies will commemorate and pay tribute to those who have given their lives while defending the United States.
City Proclamations and Resolutions
April and May: Orange County Affordable and Fair Housing Months
The City of Irvine has developed a State-certified Housing Element that identifies strategies and activities to expand supply, diversity, and access to affordable housing. Affordable housing supports Orange County’s diversity and sustainability, and is the foundation for health, economic prosperity, and educational opportunity. At its meeting May 14, the Irvine City Council proclaimed April and May 2024 as Orange County Affordable and Fair Housing Months in support of local efforts toward affordable housing, fair housing programs and practices that provide safe, decent housing, and vital resources to our community.
May 15: Buddha's Birthday
Siddhartha Gautama is the founder of Buddhism Buddha's teachings have inspired millions of people around the world to seek wisdom, compassion, and inner peace. The Buddha taught us to cultivate our minds and free ourselves from suffering by living a moral and ethical life, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, compassion, and understanding, thus showing us the path of enlightenment. The Irvine City Council of the City of Irvine proclaimed May 15, 2024, as “Buddha's Birthday" as a day of reflection, gratitude, and renewal, and may the Buddha's light continue to shine upon us all and his teachings guide us on the path to be rid of all afflictions and sufferings.
May 18: Armed Forces Day
The City of Irvine recognizes the profound importance of honoring and expressing gratitude to the brave individuals who serve in the United States Armed Forces, which include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve forces. Armed Forces Day, established on August 31, 1949, by President Truman, and celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May, provides an opportunity for our community to come together and pay respect to the dedication, sacrifice, and bravery of our servicemembers. By proclaiming May 18 as Armed Forces Day in the City of Irvine, we affirm our commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of our armed forces and fostering a community that values and supports our military members and their families.
May 2024: Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed during the month of May to recognize the contributions and influences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. For decades, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed greatly to the prosperity and enrichment in all areas of life in the City of Irvine, including government, business, arts and sciences, medicine, education, and law enforcement. Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the City of Irvine have shared their rich culture and traditions while representing their communities through public service and advocacy. he City of Irvine is proud to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and commemorate the essential contributions, sacrifices, and accomplishments that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to Irvine.
May 2024: Jewish American Heritage Month
The City of Irvine joins together each May to pay tribute to the contributions of Jewish Americans who have culturally enriched the City. Jews are an ethnic people who share a culture, language, ancestry and identity, and remain connected through Judaism, the ethnic religion comprising the ancient beliefs, practices, mythologies, and laws of the Jewish people. The Jewish community has helped define the character and values of the City of Irvine through its six Jewish synagogues, the Jewish Community Center of Orange County, the Orange County Jewish Federation, and two private Jewish Day Schools serving Jewish and non-Jewish families. The City of Irvine proclaimed May 2024 as Jewish American Heritage Month at its meeting May 15, 2024.
May 2024: Older Americans Month
There are approximately 31,799 persons who are 65 years and over in the City of Irvine, and it is important to acknowledge the lifetime of contributions made by older adults to family, community, workplaces, civic leadership, and countless other fields to help set a strong foundation in making our City what it is today. The City of Irvine joins the national tradition of designating the month of May as a time to celebrate the contributions of older Americans and rededicate our efforts to better serve their needs. Therefore, May 2024 was proclaimed as Older American's Month in the City of Irvine.
Irvine Multicultural Association
The Irvine Multicultural Association (IMA) is a program designed for Irvine's senior residents and offers educational resources and social functions for the community. IMA's mission is to promote harmony and understanding for a better, enlightened, and healthier community. The association was formed by the same group that introduced Irvine's Global Village Festival to the community over 20 years ago.
IMA's planning committee seeks to highlight a particular culture each month through programs like their International Film Series, the English Mentoring Program, and other outlets. For more information on these programs and events, see the DEI events section above, or visit their webpage.
The IMA planning committee is looking for additional members to join the committee. Ideal representatives share the mission of the association. Please see the flier below for more information.
Irvine Multicultural Association Flier
Mock Village Proposal
The Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation are the original inhabitants of the lands that became the County of Orange. Archaeological evidence shows an Acjachemen presence in this region for over 10,000 years. The Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation are interested in establishing a mock village in Irvine. The Irvine City Council is proposing to create a mock village, which is being advanced by Payómkawichum Kaàmalam, which is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit with over thirty years of experience as a cultural advocate and cultural resource manager for the Acjachemen people.
Possible locations for such a mock village in our City could be in the Portola Springs neighborhood. The mock village would resemble what the tribal members lived in and could showcase structures that the Acjachemen used as shelter. The Irvine City Council will continue the conversation and proposal at a future meeting.
