The Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation invites the community to join them at the second annual Blackshires Leadership Program Graduation at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield on Friday, June 14, 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Click here for more information.
The Foundation, led by people of color, works to empower and enrich the Black community in the Berkshires and surrounding areas. The goal of the Leadership Program is to develop a BIPOC community-based talent pipeline. Over the course of a 15-week accelerator, the Leadership Program provides guidance and support for emerging BIPOC community leaders in the Berkshires.
This innovative approach blends traditional leadership training with cutting-edge strategies tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within BIPOC communities. Through a combination of hands-on workshops, mentorship, and real-world applications, fellows gain not just knowledge, but practical skills and experiences. Participants are challenged to think critically, act empathetically, and innovate boldly.
The curriculum is designed equip Community Fellows with paradigms, experiences, and relationships that will sustain growth in these areas well beyond the year-long program. This program also marks a commitment to tearing down the barriers that have historically held back many talented individuals in our communities.
The curriculum proceeds as follows
- Leadership and Self
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- An initial two-day retreat at the Berkshire Innovation Center focuses on identifying and adopting best practices for leadership
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- Leadership in Community
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- Weekly sessions include in-person meetings, tours, and experiences with some of the community’s leading organizations and businesses. Topics include:
- Creating your “Theory of Change”
- Sharing your story through narrative development
- Developing effective plans with Impact Charters Blackshires.net
- Understanding how personality traits affect collaboration by Julie Haagenson
- Learning how to pitch your project or business.
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- Project Leadership
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- Each cohort member is supported in the development of their own Project or Business Impact Charter. This is an outcome-focused plan that can be used to develop, fund, and execute any type of project or business
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Impact
With this second graduation, The Blackshires Community Empowerment will have awarded 30 scholarships/stipends totaling over $40,000 for cohort development.Additionally, over $48,000 in completion grants have been awarded. When factoring in additional coaching and leadership education, the total investment in emerging leaders exceeds $100,000 over the past two years of the program.In recognition of its Innovative approach, the Blackshires Leadership Program was awarded a 2023 Berkshire Trendsetter Award for “Breaking The Mold” at last year’s Celebrate the Berkshires event.
Meet the 2024 graduates and their businesses or projects
- Christine Bilé – Licensed Certified Social Worker & Musician
- Empowerment for women of all ages through music, art, and evidence-based practices to build confidence and love for themselves.
- Sharron Frazier-McClain
- Celebration of Black Voices & Barrington Stage
- Alÿcia Bacon – Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
- Program to provide sustainable practices to practitioners through evidence-based practices and movement exercises
- Chynna Williams – Certified Child-Care Professional
- Develop a child-care center that prioritizes underserved youth and families
- Safe environment for children with challenging behaviors to explore, learn, and grow unapologetically
- Natale Monroe – General Dynamics Mission Systems
- Sisterly Connections. Networking platform to provide support and resources to BIPOC survivors of breast cancer
- Luana Dias David – Multi-Discipline Dance Instructor
- TDance program in partnership with local artists explores Berkshire’s diverse communities, developing a series of dance events and performances.
- Akinyemi Blackshear – Marketing Project Manager for Theory Wellness
- Disco-Lab, dance complex, and night club dedicated to fostering connection wellness, and community
- Twink Williams – Ancestor Seeds
- To connect people with their unknown family histories and the heritage foods that nourished their ancestors. Using genealogical research and a broad inventory of heirloom seeds, Twink aims to connect and provide all folks with their ancestors through heirloom vegetable and seed varieties.
- Starr Richardson – Berkshire Health Systems
- Photography and craft service dedicated to helping preserve memories and cherished moments
- 360 Photo Booth for events and parties
- Wonjara Campbell – Berkshire Health Systems
- Development of a Berkshire-based culture kiosk/affinity group that provides educational, networking, and empowerment tools
- Kenneth Campbell – Berkshire Health Systems
- Berkshire Talks will provide a platform for black and locally owned and led entities in the region to gain more exposure and engagement.
- Cheryl McCrae – Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity
- Development of an intergenerational service that provides skill development opportunities for home stabilization or professional development
- Possible integration with local schools or organizations to provide additional home economics activities/workshops
- Jazmin Simone – Berkshire Family YMCA
- Development of a youth engagement program specifically for youth not interested in sports or are aging out of programs.
- Aisha Baptiste-Gilmore – Artist, Designer, and Handmade Crafter (Home Interior Art and Designs)
- Development of small business that provides Handcrafted and Eco-Friendly products along with community engagement opportunities including events, workshops, and activities.
Funders & Partners
1Berkshire, Team R3SET, City of Pittsfield, Kripalu, Berkshire Bank, Westside Legends, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Impact Hackers, Hughes Foundation, Ventfort Hall, Celebration of Black Voices, Berkshire Health Systems, Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative, Barrington Stage Company, BECAN, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, Berkshire Innovation Center, and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.
