PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Women of Color Giving Circle of the Berkshires, in collaboration with the NAACP – Berkshire County Branch will host the 23rd annual Graduates Recognition Event at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at Berkshire Community College. 

 

The event will be held in the Connector building.  

 

The event, which is free and open to the public, recognizes Berkshire County high school graduates of African descent. Each student will receive a financial gift toward their academic pursuits. Additionally, graduates in attendance who are pursuing higher education and vocational/technical training will be eligible to receive additional stipend and scholarships from the sponsoring organizations.   

 

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, Mayor Peter Marchetti of the city of Pittsfield, and Dennis Powell, president of the Berkshire County NAACP, will deliver greetings. The event emcee will be Mirabai Dyson, district legislative aide with the Office of Rep. Farley-Bouvier.  

 

The event will feature a selection by Abby Percy, an alumna of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) Program, a dance performance by Youth Alive Dance Coach, Serina Saunders, and a poem recitation by Iyrielle Spratling-Keele, an ambassador in R.O.P.E.    

 

The keynote speaker will be Shanique Rodriguez, Executive Director, Massachusetts Voter Table.  

 

The Women of Color Giving Circle of the Berkshires works to build community, encourage youth development and educational success.