Change the narrative, change the culture.

The aim of National Culture Week is to ignite a nationwide conversation among young people about the importance of challenging our preconceived notions about races and cultures that differ from our own. The goal is to shift the narrative from one of fear and exclusion to one of kindness and inclusivity by providing an opportunity for youths to share and learn from each other’s diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences.

Start the conversation

Throughout National Culture Week, students and educators are encouraged to start conversations about their personal experiences, perceptions, and misconceptions about race, ethnicity, and culture, and to talk about how these concepts shape our identities, communities, and our society as a whole.

By encouraging open and respectful dialogue about culture, we can gain a deeper understanding of each other's personal perspectives and question our own biases and assumptions about race. These conversations aim to promote critical thinking, media literacy, empathy, and are meant to encourage social responsibility among students.

Registered schools were invited to participate in
our "Culture Shock" livestream Culture Week panel.
Note: Registration is for Middle School and High School administrators and faculty only

The goal of Culture Shock is to be the catalyst for an online conversation as well as calling on schools and communities throughout the country to not only join the live stream discussion, but to also continue the conversation throughout the week.

The Culture Shock livestream panel is a template for the types of conversations that we encourage schools to initiate.
All participating schools receive a Culture Week Guide for the week.
Registered participants will be emailed additional details about the livestream event, how to connect, and the week's guide.

How to Participate in National Culture Week™

Ask your School to Register for National Culture Week
Throughout the week, organize conversations with your classmates and friends about how our concepts of race, ethnicity and culture shape our world.
Learn about the customs and traditions observed by the people in your life that are diferent from your own.
Watch the Culture Shock live stream panel on April 30th.
Challenge yourself to examine any assumptions you may be making about the people around you simply because they look or behave diferently from you or your friends.
Include everyone.

How National Culture Week™ Began

Founder and CEO Ross Ellis was walking down the street when she overheard a group of teenage boys talking about a "terrorist" in their class. She stopped and asked them why they believed that about the boy in their class. They said that it was because the boy wore a turban. She explained to them that people wear turbans because it's a part of their culture and that it does not mean that the boy is a terrorist. That's when Ross developed National Culture Week.

2025 - The 7th Annual Culture Shock™ Event

STOMP Out Bullying kicks-off National Culture Week by hosting Culture Shock, a livestream Culture Week Panel discussion facilitated by celebrity influencers from the media, sports, entertainment and social media worlds. 500,000+ students worldwide attend the livestream each year.