LGBTQ+ Business Networking Events Launch in Berkshires

12:46PM / Thursday, April 10, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire LGBTQ+ business owners, professionals, and community leaders have established a monthly networking event.

The event aims to facilitate connection and collaboration within the community, and to address political, economic, demographic, and public health challenges.

The networking event will take place on the third Wednesday of each month, in partnership with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Q-MoB, WANDER Berkshires, and Berkshire Magazine.

The April 16th gathering, held at Brazzucas Market in Pittsfield, will focus on the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in fostering business innovation and opportunities in the Berkshires.

Speakers at the April event include:

Pittsfield At-Large City Council Member Alisa Costa, who will discuss Pittsfield’s designation as a Trans/Non-Binary Sanctuary City.
Alexandria Eberhardt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, who will discuss the benefits of DEI initiatives for businesses.
Kevin Pink, 1Berkshire Deputy Director of Economic Development, who will discuss the impact of DEI on business engagement.

Future networking events are scheduled at Heart’s Pace Teahouse in North Adams on May 21st, and Devonfield Inn in Lee on June 18.

Registration for the events is free and available online.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

View Full Story