We want Black entrepreneurs and businesses to utilize our services and programming for their growth and self-sufficiency.
By encouraging economic justice and implementing new regional initiatives, we hope to open access to capital, technical assistance, and patronage. We are here to provide support to entrepreneurs and promote existing businesses. We aim to attract and inspire other Black businesses to relocate to the Berkshires.
A Berkshires native, Tova has returned to her roots, joining BBEC after a diverse
journey spanning holistic wellness, business, and community empowerment. Her
degree in Holistic Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge instilled in her
valuable skills in communication, team management, and self-reflection, shaping her
holistic approach to community engagement.
Growing up immersed in the world of local commerce at her mother’s flower
shop, Berkshire Flower Company (owned by Bridget Brown), Tova witnessed firsthand
the power of community connection and the importance of supporting small businesses.
From creating prom flowers and celebrating weddings to offering solace to those
grieving, Bridget’s dedication and hard work ethic—as a single mother supporting two
children—deeply influenced Tova. It is with this deep appreciation for small business
owners, particularly in Berkshire County, that Tova brings her own strong work ethic to
the Berkshire Black Economic Council, dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships
and strengthening the community.
For the past three years, Tova resided in San Diego, California, where she
contributed to the expansion of Birdrock Coffee Roasters, a local specialty coffee
company, by assisting in the opening of their eighth location. This experience provided
valuable insights in financial literacy, business development, and interpersonal
relationship management, culminating in a unique set of skills that she is eager to share
with the BBEC community.
Ndey Awa Touray was born in North Carolina, the first daughter of two Gambian immigrants. Two years later, her family moved to the Berkshires, where she and her siblings were raised. Since 2022, Awa has been a part of the Black Arts Council, striving to introduce Black artists and art enthusiasts to spaces where the black creatives historically have not been welcomed. In 2024, Awa worked with the Black Arts Council manager as an intern to organize and plan community events.
Outside of the Black Arts Council, Awa carries the same principles into her undergraduate studies at Williams College. Holding positions in the Williams Outing Club and Ultimate Frisbee Club, Awa balances her personal passions with her commitment to serving her local community.
Born in the Bronx but raised in the Berkshires, Cashey has spent time looking for ways to embrace her culture. While still currently a high school student, she hopes to make as much change in the Berkshires through art and brining the black community together before going off to college.
She sees art as everything, from painting to music and much more. She is a firm believer that anyone can do art and that black art is so powerful.
Her future goals include attending an hbcu and bettering whatever community she lands in after.
She plans on dedicating many more years to the Black Arts Council and seeing it continue to grow and the Berkshires being exposed to more Black art.
Jean-Charles (J.C.) Innocent is a Haitian-American visual artist born in Port au Prince, Haiti and raised in Boston, Massachusetts who creates artworks. As a visual artist, he utilizes symbolism through body language, facial expressions, clothing, jewelry, and tattoos to tackle themes and issues concerning identity, race, feminism, economics, political themes, and mental health.
J.C. attends Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, double majoring in Art with a focus on Design and Arts Management. He attended Boston Collegiate Charter School where he cultivated himself as an artist, acting in annual musicals and taking AP Art classes. His social justice background includes working with youth groups in the greater Boston area including Teen Empowerment (TE) and Young Man with A Plan(YMWAP), to promote the growth and development of young people of color.
J.C. continued his artistic endeavors by exhibiting his work in the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Pittsfield Campus Gallery during his freshman year at the college. He was awarded the Massachusetts Internship Incentive Grant and acquired an internship at Gallery 51 his sophomore year, studying under the 2022 Benedetti Teaching Artist in residence WANG Chen during his sophomore year. These experiences enabled him to receive Undergraduate Research Conference Grant and participate in the Berkshire Art Association Fellowship during his junior year.
Born to immigrants from Ghana, A.J. is a native of Pittsfield and the eldest of four brothers. A.J. is a graduate of The Governor’s Academy, where he was a dorm proctor and lacrosse captain. He went on to play varsity lacrosse at Tufts University, where he was also a BLAST scholar, a Latin Tutor, and he earned a B.A. in American Studies. A.J. is a two-time National champion and facilitated class discussion for an American Studies prerequisite course called “Race in America.”
Since 2017, A.J. has performed constituent services and community outreach as the District Aide for State Senator Adam G. Hinds. He was formerly the board co-chair for Multicultural BRIDGE. A.J. is a past board member of Berkshire Community Action Council and Community Health Programs. He also served on the C4 Arts Initiative. A.J. is on The Executive Committee of the Berkshire County Branch of The NAACP where he serves as the Economic Development and Justice Chair. A.J. is the founder and President of the Berkshire Black Economic Council. A.J., is now participating in the Boston Fed’s Leaders for Equitable Local Economies where he and his brother Auric, support BIPOC businesses in The City of Pittsfield by working with city and key institutions to shift approaches to small business support and purchasing.
In 2022, A.J. was awarded the Non Sibi Sed Aliis Award by The Alumni Council of The Governors Academy and he was named Berkshire 25 by Berkshire Magazine. The Healy-Driscoll Transition Policy Committee appointed A.J. to serve as a Co-Chair for The Jobs and Flourishing Economies Transition Committee for Governor Maura Healy’s administration. A.J. has since been appointed by Governor Healy to serve on The Governor’s Advisory Committee on Black Empowerment for The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
A.J. returned to his hometown to impact his community in a way that inspires young folks to return to the Berkshires to strengthen the place that raised them.
Born and raised in the Berkshires. Nyanna has been very involved in the community with her parents Manny and Vannessa Slaughter. She grew up playing sports at the local YMCA and Boy’s & Girl’s club. She was Captain of her high school varsity sports teams. She was a member of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program now referred to as 1Berkshire Youth Leadership Program. During her tenure at Taconic she was a part of Business Professionals of America. She was one of the first members of the Rites of Passage Empowerment Program. She graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice for Investigative Services with a Minor in Business Management in 2018. She was on the Basketball team for two years. Nyanna volunteered with the New Haven Reads Program to help provide literacy to elementary and middle school children. She is currently working to finish her Masters of Business Administration concentrating in Accounting from Fitchburg State University.
Nyanna worked as a camp counselor, coordinator, and co-director for the Marilyn Hamilton Sports & Literacy Program for over 7 years. She was a host at her local Applebee’s and administered drug tests and performed security work for the Berkshire Community Correction Center. She interned for the U.S. Senate her junior year of college and after graduating she joined the staff as a Staff Assistant. After six months she transitioned to the Regional Director for Western Massachusetts. She currently serves as the Regional Director for Central Massachusetts. She has been with the Senate for three years now. She is a member of the Pittsfield School Committee.
Nyanna has a heart and drive for service for her community. Nyanna is enrolled in an educational platform to bring access, exposure, and understanding to financial literacy and the foreign exchange market. She is utilizing this platform and her experiences throughout her career to enrich and empower her community.
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