In a time when division is amplified and polarization often feels like the default setting of our public discourse, fostering inclusion is not just a good choice–to us as leaders, it feels like a responsibility.
At Narratives, our work has always centered on bridging divides, amplifying unheard voices, and creating spaces where people feel truly seen. It is with that commitment in mind that we are proud to join the #CelebrateEverything initiative, an intentional movement toward inclusion that recognizes the richness of our shared humanity.
The Power of Acknowledgment
Belonging is built in moments of acknowledgment. The simple act of recognizing someone’s culture, traditions, and celebrations tells them: You matter here. Yet, in many workplaces and communities, recognition is often selectively aligned with dominant cultural norms while sidelining others. Through #CelebrateEverything, we are choosing to change that. By celebrating a broader range of cultural and religious observances, we are making a deliberate effort to push back against unconscious biases that have long dictated whose traditions are seen as "mainstream" and whose are regarded as "other." This isn’t just about being performative; it’s about fundamentally reshaping the way we construct belonging within our professional and community spaces.
Inclusion as an Active Practice
Inclusion does not happen passively. It is built through choices, policies, and practices that reinforce the idea that diversity is not an afterthought - it is central to how we thrive together. For us, embracing #CelebrateEverything means integrating inclusive celebrations into the way we plan, the way we facilitate conversations, and the way we support clients in building more equitable systems. It means not only recognizing diverse holidays but also creating the conditions where people feel safe and encouraged to share their stories. As someone who has spent years working in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, I have seen firsthand the consequences of exclusion and erasure. I have also witnessed the immense power of people coming together - across cultures, across histories - to build something greater than themselves. That is the kind of future we are invested in creating.
A Call to Leaders: The Time for Action is Now
We know that businesses and organizations that prioritize inclusion outperform those that do not. But beyond the metrics, we need to ask ourselves: What kind of environments are we shaping? Are we designing spaces where people feel they can show up fully as themselves? Are we creating workplaces where no one must compartmentalize their identity to fit in?
Joining #CelebrateEverything is one step in a broader journey of transformation. And we invite other leaders to walk this path with us. Because the work of inclusion does not belong to one person, one initiative, or one organization, it belongs to all of us.
In a world increasingly marked by division, let’s choose unity. Let’s choose acknowledgment. Let’s choose to celebrate everything and, in doing so, celebrate everyone.
To learn more about Celebrate Everything and Dr. Abdul Rehman's work, please visit https://leadwithdiversity.com/ce