Blackshires June 19 Graduation
LENOX, Mass. — On June 19, 2026, the Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation and R3SET Enterprises will gather at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox to honor thirteen leaders who have spent months learning, building, connecting, and preparing to shape the future of their communities.
This is the fourth cohort of the Blackshires Leadership Accelerator, a BIPOC-led civic and entrepreneurial development program rooted in Berkshire County. Since its founding, the program has graduated more than 40 community members. It has distributed over $100,000 in completion grants. It has built a growing alumni network of leaders now serving on boards, launching businesses, and driving civic change across the region, stated a press release.
Each fellow receives a $1,700 completion stipend. Participation is completely free.
The Accelerator moves fellows through three structured phases. The first centers personal growth, civic identity, and leadership foundations. The second immerses fellows in business development, workforce strategy, and community problem-solving. In the third, fellows develop individual Impact Charters. These are concrete and community-rooted plans that define each leader's contribution to the region's future.
Along the way, fellows engage in government fishbowl sessions at Pittsfield City Hall, cross-sector relationship building with employers and elected officials, community exposure tours throughout the Berkshires, storytelling and pitch workshops, health equity dialogues, arts and culture convenings, and an overnight wellness and DEI retreat.
The thirteen members of the 2026 cohort are Abigail Horace, Adam Liccardi, Adrian Lynch, Cameo Brown, Chauncey Dozier, Claudette Grant, Erline Saintilet, Harmony Edwards, Mackenzie Colvin, Otis West, Shadre Domingo, TJ West, and Tyeesha Keele Kedroe.
Among this cohort's initiatives:
Abigail Horace — The Black Berkshires Social Club
Creates inclusive, culturally grounded social spaces for Black and BIPOC residents in the Berkshires, fostering connection, belonging, and community through curated arts, culture, and nature-based experiences.
Adam Liccardi — Aequitas Consulting
Supports returning citizens in navigating reentry through pre-workforce development, fair- chance resource procurement, and individualized high-level reentry consulting. The goal: to advance employment access, housing stability, and long-term economic mobility ofr returning citizens across Berkshire County.
Adrian Lynch — Stubborn Ibex Studios: Digital Foundations Built to Climb
Provides website design, SEO, and brand strategy services that help businesses and nonprofits build strong digital foundations, expand visibility, and grow with purpose in an increasingly digital economy.
Cameo Brown — Kinstory (The Kindred Experience)
Develops an educational multimedia platform that explores kinship across people, communities, and the natural world, using storytelling as a tool for remembrance, connection, and collective healing.
Chauncey Dozier — 2nd Chance Home Services
Provides reliable property maintenance and home improvement services across Berkshire County while creating workforce development pathways, mentorship opportunities, and stable employment for young adults and individuals seeking a second chance.
Claudette Grant — Reckless Optimism Women's Circle
Cultivates a supportive community space where women gather for reflection, healing, and growth through honest dialogue, emotional support, and shared experiences.
Erline Saintilet — Carib In-Fusion
Delivers culturally inspired, nutritious meal prep, catering, and packaged food products that increase access to healthy eating, strengthen cultural connection, and support busy families and elders across the Berkshires.
Harmony Edwards — Invest in the Berkshires Mixer & Market Tour
Connects investors, entrepreneurs, and community members through curated networking experiences that unlock capital, strengthen local businesses, and advance economic growth and generational wealth in underserved communities.
Mackenzie Colvin — Pivot Point Consulting: AI Workforce Training & Human Navigation Services Bridges the digital divide by providing AI literacy training and hands-on support navigating AI-driven systems, equipping both organizations and vulnerable populations to participate in an evolving workforce and service landscape.
Otis West & Tajare West — Westside Crosswalk Remix Project
Enhances pedestrian safety and neighborhood identity by transforming crosswalks into vibrant, community-designed public art, reducing risk while fostering pride and visibility in Pittsfield's Westside.
Shadre Domingo — Koriyama
Establishes the first Black-owned sake brewery and maturation house, positioning aged sake as a high-value luxury asset while preserving cultural legacy and creating a model for long-term, generational wealth building.
Tyeesha Keele Kedroe — Seen & Celebrated
Equips early childhood educators with tools and training to embed meaningful representation of Black and Brown children across classroom environments, fostering belonging, identity development, and equitable learning experiences.
