Inclusive Leadership

ID3A Jam

February 17 6-8pm on Zoom

We’re gathering leaders from across Berkshire County to discuss how we can build more inclusive nonprofit board cultures.

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About The Problem

If we are to build racial equity in Berkshire County, we need to build racial equity on the boards of our nonprofit institutions.

Without better access to these sources of power and decision-making, the Black community will continue to be under-represented, under-resourced, and under-served.

 

It’s time to disrupt this status quo to create sustainable change for all communities.

We need your help to make this happen!

Be a catalyst for change

 

Please join us at our Idea Jam event as we explore how Berkshire Black and BIPOC community members can be catalysts for positive social change by engaging with each other and sharing their experiences, skills, wisdom, knowledge, and expertise in an effort to increase diversity on nonprofit boards across Berkshire County.

The Goals

Provide the Berkshire Black Community a platform to give voice to the barriers, challenges, ideas, strategies, and solutions to inclusiveness and equitable resource distribution at the decision-making tables of nonprofits ( ie. boards, committees, and executive positions).

Increase awareness about the benefits of diverse and inclusive board membership.

Develop strategies that will lead Berkshire nonprofits to become more inclusive.

Provide tools and resources that will assist Black community members who are interested in serving on nonprofit boards.

Bring new perspectives to influence the creation of policies and procedures that govern the operations of nonprofits.

Identify and eliminate racialized barriers that deter the Berkshire Black community from serving on nonprofit boards

Strategize about inclusive accountability measures and benchmarks for Berkshire County nonprofit boards

Who is this for?

Concerned Berkshire Black community stakeholders who want to see greater representation on Berkshire nonprofit boards.

Black individuals who are currently serving on nonprofit boards and who want more diversity and inclusivity.

Black community members who want more resources directed towards their community

Black community members who are seeking funding and resources for their initiatives

What’s in it for you? Event Benefits

Network with other Black community leaders, advocates, and influencers.

Talk about your projects and initiatives
with other community leaders.

A $100 stipend will be provided to all Jammer participants.

ID3A Jam Agenda

Empathy Mapping

  • Website Design and Implementation
  • Ecommerce 

Stories & Experiences

  • Email marketing
  • Social media

Overview

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Part 1

Welcome

  • Digital Sign in Registration
  • Welcome to the Industry Idea Jam!
  • Idea Jam 
      • Intention
      • Process
      • Outcomes 
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Part 2

Introductions & Networking

  • Gwendolyn Hampton Vansant Intro to ILC and its work
  • Lori and Margaret Intro and Purpose of ILC Idea Jam
  • Networking  with Jammers and ILC Cohort 
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Part 3

ID3A Jam Stations

  • Break into four Idea Jam Groups and rotate through each Idea Jam Station with your group! (20 minutes per station)
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Part 4

Voting

  • Vote on the ideal target candidate to serve on Nonprofit Boards
  • Vote on better ways to target 
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Part 5

Wrap Up

  • Thank you for attending with Devin Shea & John Lewis

Meet the Facilitators

Sharron Frazier McClain

Sharron Mcclain works on DEI & Community Engagement for Barrington Stage Company. She serves on the Executive Board for the Christian Center, is an Evangelist at Price Memorial AME Zion Church, and assists Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation with Grant review to ensure equity in the decision-making process. She also collaborates with several service organizations to help use the Arts as a tool for community building.

Dubois Thomas

Dubois Thomas has over 20 years of housing experience, getting his start with the management and support of low-income housing cooperatives across NYC. Since joining Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity as Neighborhood Revitalization Director, Dubois has focused his energy on learning; overseeing multiple Pittsfield community surveys and community engagement events, whilst completing a leadership course at the Harvard Kennedy School. Dubois also dedicates his time to the development of the Blackshires, serving as its board president. The Blackshires aims to develop a more integrated and connected black community in the Berkshires by facilitating opportunities for a vibrant Black ownership ecology.

Bryan House

Bryan is the Director of Community Engagement at the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office. He specializes in coordinating the office’s community-based projects and initiatives and provides leadership and direction on inclusive strategic community relations and engagement opportunities. After being drafted out of Illinois State University by the Chicago Cubs Baseball organization in 1984, Bryan played seven years as a professional baseball player in the Cubs and Texas Ranger organizations. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Massachusetts, and he is a proud father of four boys, living with his spouse and family in Housatonic, MA.

Leah Reed

Leah works for the Department of Developmental Services as a Service Coordinator. She is a Women of Color Giving Circle member in Berkshire County. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the first Black Sorority ever founded, where “Excellence Through Sustainable Service” in your community is essential. She is also a member of the W.E.B. Du Bois Legacy Committee. As a proud legacy of a Tuskegee Airmen, Buffalo Soldier, daughter of a Prince Hall Mason, and the granddaughter of an Eastern Star, her passion has always been to uplift and empower others to advocate for themselves and see strength in their abilities.

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