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Meet the Equity Association

We recognize the pressing need to create a space where DEIB professionals can collaborate, exchange knowledge, and provide mutual support. By establishing an intentionally strategic community, we aim to foster connections and relationships to create a network of individuals and organizations committed to DEIB principles and best practices. Through this collective effort, we will harness the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to fill a critical gap in the Berkshire community by bringing together DEIB professionals and stakeholders to support, advocate for, and advance equity work throughout the region. Currently, there is no actively operating group within the Western Massachusetts region that facilitates the gathering and support of DEIB professionals across disciplines and sectors. 

We recognize the pressing need to create a space where DEIB professionals can collaborate, exchange knowledge, and provide mutual support. By establishing an intentionally strategic community, we aim to foster connections and relationships to create a network of individuals and organizations committed to DEIB principles and best practices. Through this collective effort, we will harness the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.

Are You Ready to Transform the Future of Equity in the Berkshires?

Our goal is to foster the creation of a comprehensive support network that empowers local DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) professionals of the region. This will result in increased impact and potential for our inclusive and equitable spaces across multiple sectors, allowing each individual, and our whole community, to thrive. By first convening and fostering the development of a network of professionals, we believe that we will subsequently position ourselves as the premier organization for DEIB practitioners.

Who is this for?

Ideal Participants

Those seeking equity support will have a trusted organization to turn to for best practices, training, and sustainable strategies. When successful, we expect increased awareness and understanding of DEIB principles, as well as an increased strategic regional alignment, leading to tangible actions in organizations. We further expect increased networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and skill development amongst dedicated cohorts of DEIB professionals, leading to enhanced implementation of equitable initiatives and practices across various sectors throughout the Berkshire region, and beyond. By leveraging the already established platforms of Blackshires.net and the Blackshires Leadership Accelerator, the BEA will be able to immediately provide networking and capacity development opportunities and plug into the rapidly growing Blackshires network.

Join The Blackshires Movement:
Empower Equity Today!

What’s in it for you?

Program Benefits

Overall, we envision that our efforts to support and empower DEIB practitioners will further the missions and goals of the Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation and the communities that they serve by driving systemic change and promoting social justice toward a stronger, more connected, and equitable society.

  • Bridging Equity Gaps: The Equity Association is dedicated to uniting DEIB professionals and stakeholders, addressing the critical need for equity advancement in the Berkshire community.
  • Pioneering Collaboration: The Equity Association is the first of its kind in Western Massachusetts and stands as a beacon for DEIB professionals seeking a supportive and interdisciplinary network.
  • Strategic Networking: We offer a platform for DEIB professionals to forge meaningful connections, share insights, and collaborate on initiatives that drive equity forward.
  • Collective Impact: Through The Equity Association, members harness the collective power of a committed network to catalyze significant societal change.
  • Advancing Diversity: Our comprehensive approach includes training, consulting, and innovative programming to promote diversity and share DEIB best practices across the region.
  • Innovation Through Exchange: The Equity Association facilitates a dynamic exchange of knowledge and experiences, elevating DEIB standards and fostering innovation within the equity space.
  • Embracing Intersectionality: Recognizing the richness of diverse perspectives, we prioritize understanding the intersectionality of identities to inform our equity work.
  • Dismantling Barriers: Committed to challenging systemic obstacles, The Equity Association empowers its members to enact real change, moving beyond awareness to action.

Join us, and let’s work together to make a difference in our communities!

Want to connect with other leaders?

Who's who?

Project Champions

André Lynch

M.Ed, Owner/Executive of AMPLE Consulting, LLC, will be the driving force behind these efforts, utilizing his vast expertise in DEIB practices and strong background in organizational executive leadership. With an unwavering commitment to empowering DEIB professionals and creating inclusive environments, André will position AMPLE Consulting, LLC as a prominent advocate for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, leading the way in advancing these principles across industries and communities. Through his leadership, strategic guidance, and impactful partnerships, Mr. Lynch will ensure that DEIB practitioners have the necessary support and resources to effect meaningful change across their industries.

Michael Obasohan

M.Ed, Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) for the City of Pittsfield, will co-champion this effort. His expansive knowledge of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Justice stems from his career in Higher Education and government agencies. His purpose is to provide space for opportunities and possibilities for research, dialogue, and collaboration for those who are committed to true social and institutional change. As the CDO, his expertise is utilized in many sectors, such as policy reform, community organizing, health, and digital equity at a local and state level. Michael has successfully designed and implemented result-oriented DEIB processes, professional developments, proposals, and dialogues for senior leaders, staff, and community stakeholders that encourage self-reflection, learning, awareness, and understanding, all while building community across differences. His hope is to inspire organizational growth and change as well as equitable outcomes for diverse communities.

Interested in being a part of the program?

What’s the approach?

Program Experience

Those seeking equity support will have a trusted organization to turn to for best practices, training, and sustainable strategies. When successful, we expect increased awareness and understanding of DEIB principles, as well as an increased strategic regional alignment, leading to tangible actions in organizations. We further expect increased networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and skill development amongst dedicated cohorts of DEIB professionals, leading to enhanced implementation of equitable initiatives and practices across various sectors throughout the Berkshire region, and beyond. By leveraging the already established platforms of Blackshires.net and the Blackshires Leadership Accelerator, the BEA will be able to immediately provide networking and capacity development opportunities and plug into the rapidly growing Blackshires network.

Interested in joining our community?

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers

The program will begin March 2nd, 2023, and will kick off with a day and a half retreat at Kripalu.

The program will run for 10-15 weeks, ending in May with a community convening and idea jam to reflect on the experience and create a strategic plan for the future.

We are accepting 10-15 participants into the program.

You can apply online at our website Blackshires.net/Leadership.

No, the program is completely free for selected participants! Plus, we will even provide a $2,500 stipend, as well as all meals and transportation.

The program will include various activities such as retreats, biweekly Zoom training and workshops, site visits to events, and more. We also encourage you to bring any current projects or project ideas to the program, as we will have facilitators with technical expertise to assist you.

No specific qualifications or experience are required, but the program is designed for individuals who want to make a difference in their communities.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow as a leader and make a real impact! Apply now at Blackshires.net/Leadership. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

Our Sponsors & Partners

We couldn't do it with our our amazing partners.

Who We Are

We’re a community-focused organization led by people of color, here to empower and enrich the Black community in the Berkshires and surrounding areas. By creating the Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation, our goal is to help build a strong and healthy economic ecosystem while also providing community empowerment opportunities for current and future leaders and organizations. We understand the struggles and frustrations that many in our community face, and our cooperative framework is designed to help develop the skills and capacities needed to create a vibrant and resilient network of support. So come join us and let’s work together to create a brighter future for our community!

Contact

Email: Team@Blackshires.net
MON-FRI 10:00am - 5:00pm