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From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., downtown North Adams (134 Main Street) will come alive with dance, music, visual arts, theatre performances, and spoken word by talented local Black residents.
As the sun sets, the festivities continue at MASS MoCA, where an unforgettable evening awaits. The soul-pop star and Berkshire County native, Raiche, will take the stage in a ticketed homecoming performance. Joining her on this remarkable musical journey is the incredibly talented artist Jasmine Janai, who will open the concert with her captivating performances. Tickets for Raiche’s show can be purchased online at massmoca.org/event.
“I Am Afro” is proudly supported by BBEC’s Black Arts Council, a dedicated and inclusive group fostering an arts sector that serves the needs of the Black community. By partnering with FCCNA, we continue to promote Black artists, entrepreneurship, and culture in the Berkshires.
No matter your background, ethnicity, or heritage, we invite you to join us for a day of cultural exploration, fun, and unity. Let’s celebrate Afro artists and performers together in the vibrant streets of North Adams!
A Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) is an American designation for businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled on a daily basis by one or more (in combination) American citizens including African American, Hispanic and Latino American, Asian Pacific American, and Native American businesses and/or gender (e.g. woman-owned) and/or military veteran classifications.
An MBE certification allows you to benefit from the many public and private programs designed to help minority-owned businesses, like minority-owned business grants. Here are some of the biggest advantages to getting certified as an MBE:
On Friday, July 21, 2023, the Berkshire Black Economic Council (BBEC) is partnering with MassHire and the Supplier Diversity Office of Massachusetts to host a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Educational Workshop at the Proprietor’s Lodge in Pittsfield, MA. This workshop will bring together experts and business leaders who can support Black entrepreneurs’ MBE certification process! This event is FREE. Minority business owners are encouraged to attend. Registration is required.
From 3:00 – 6:00 pm EST, we will kick things off with a brief seminar and panel discussions with MBE-certified businesses throughout the Commonwealth who can speak to the advantages they’ve experienced as a result of their certification. Some of those benefits include an increase in federal contracts, federal and state tax incentives, and expanded access to funding opportunities. From there, we will have breakout groups to explore the specific requirements for obtaining your MBE, and there will be opportunities for you to explore additional resources designed to support your business’s growth and development.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity! Black entrepreneurs interested in the benefits of this certification please pre-register by clicking the button above or email Erica Barreto at assistant@berkshirebec.org with questions about this event.
As a means of accomplishing the BBEC mission with respect to arts and culture, we have an intergenerational Black Arts Council that actively works with and for the community. You can learn more about our work with the Black Arts Council which has been detailed in the following Berkshire Eagle press article: Diversity lacking at Berkshire arts and cultural venues, survey from the Black Arts Council of the Berkshire Black Economic Council shows
2023 BAC meeting schedule:
Interested in joining the BAC? Send a few sentences detailing your interest to communications@berkshirebec.org to be considered. All ages encouraged to apply!
Session 1: Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 12pm – 2pm. Located in person at 33 Dunham Mall in Pittsfield. Lunch will be provided.
Session 2: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 9am – 10am. Located on Zoom.
Please be sure to pre-register your attendance by emailing assistant@berkshirebec.org.
If you plan to attend this event, please RSVP your attendance by Wednesday, February 1.
BBEC President A.J. Enchill will provide an overview of the Council’s new website and the many opportunities for cultural organizations to engage with the group, including at events, through membership or a listing in their directory. A.J. will also touch on the directions of the Black Arts Council.
If this looks like something you don’t want to miss again! We would love to have you attend. Please pre-register and we will contact you as this annual event approaches.
Berkshire Black businesses will feature “pop-up” shops of their services! Please attend and bring your business cards and brochures. The Black business community will have theirs, along with gear, food samples, their products, takeaway items, and most importantly their experiences as entrepreneurs.
Our goal is to organize as many Berkshire Black businesses and entrepreneurs under one roof as we can. By embracing the principle of “cooperative economics” we will amplify their presence amongst businesses, leaders, public officials, and Berkshire residents. Please pre-register here and join us in this annual celebration and fun networking!
Dress in what makes you feel comfortable so you can represent your business and have fun after the programming. Food and entertainment will be provided. See you there!