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 |
June 2024
For a description of all DEI recognitions, view our DE&I Calendar.
City of Irvine DE&I Events & Recognitions
Juneteenth Freedom Celebration
Learn about Black culture as well as the history and significance of Juneteenth at our third annual Freedom Celebration at the Great Park Palm Court June 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Great Park. This free event will feature interactive activities, local organizations, and live performances. The event is open to the public. Free parking is available on-site. Food trucks will be available for visitors to purchase food. Learn more at cityofirvine.org/juneteenth.
City Proclamations and Resolutions
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
The City of Irvine promotes inclusion, integration, equity, and acceptance, where every resident is treated with dignity and welcomed, appreciated, and protected from discrimination or violence. There is no tolerance for bigotry or hate, and every person in this City, this nation, and around the world deserves to be treated with basic human dignity, regardless of their sexual identity. At its meeting May 28, the Irvine City Council declared June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the City of Irvine and urges residents to support and celebrate the understanding, tolerance, and advancement of equality.
Immigrant Heritage Month
At its meeting May 28, the Irvine City Council declared June 2024 as Immigrant Heritage Month in the City of Irvine. Generations of immigrants from every corner of the globe have built our country’s economy and created the unique character of our nation; immigrants continue to grow businesses, innovate, strengthen our economy, and create American jobs in the City of Irvine, and have provided the United States with unique social and cultural influence, fundamentally enriching the extraordinary character of our nation. Immigrants have also been tireless leaders in securing their own rights and access to equal opportunity, and campaigning to create a fairer and more just society for all Americans. Despite these countless contributions, the role of immigrants in building and enriching our nation has frequently been overlooked and undervalued throughout our history and continues to the present day.
Juneteenth: June 19, 2024
President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring the slaves in Confederate territory free, and paving the way for the passage and ratification of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States of America. Word about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was delayed some two and one half years, to June 19, 1865, in reaching authorities and Black Americans in the South and Southwestern United States. June 19th has a special meaning to Black Americans, and is called “JUNETEENTH” combining the words June and Nineteenth, and has been celebrated by the Black community for over 150 years. The Irvine City Council declared June 19, 2024 as Juneteenth at its meeting June 11, 2024, and urges all citizens to become more aare of the significance of this celebration in Black American History and the heritage of our City and nation.
World Refugee Day: June 20, 2024
At its meeting June 11, 2024, the Irvine City Council proclaimed June 20, 2024 as World Refugee Day, and commended its observance to all citizens. June 20, 2024, is World Refugee Day, an international day to honor refugees around the globe and celebrate the strengths and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership to a particular social group. Welcoming the oppressed and persecuted is a foundation of our nation; the City of Irvine has been a pillar of hospitality, home to a diverse population of refugees and immigrants who have added economic strength and cultural richness to our community.
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.
