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Message Now GuideEquity in the 413 SummitReturns June 12 Keynote speaker Serilda Summers-McGee,Founder and CEO ofWorkplace ChangeJune 2025

From the EditorsRebecca Coolongrcoolong@humanserviceforum.orgJanine Fondonjfondon@unityfirst.comShare your content and advertorials with us --nowguide2024@gmail.com August/September 2025 issue Deadline: July 20, 2025Thank you With use of and participation in the NOW Guide, weencourage you to make new and renew old connections,especially as you explore the events, stories, and activitieslisted here. Thank you for reading, supporting, and sharing theNOW Guide. Again, we invite you to contribute to theGuide via advertising, advertorials and other customcontent. Let's continue reading with interest, contactingthe organizations featured, and participating in eventsthat interest us. We also invite you to submit informationthat will be helpful to all and even become a supporterthrough sponsorship or advertising. Welcome to the NOW Guide, a digital publication that unitespeople across communities in Western Massachusetts and NewEngland. Shown above is a photo from the recent event, “AJourney in Jazz” that was shared by the NOW Guide. Kudos toTraci Talbert, event founder ( above far right) for a wonderful timewith great music, including local jazz favorites, a stellar tap dancer,powerful vocalists and a jazz band that could swing with everysong. A special thanks to Traci’s mom for the final selection!Brilliant! We invite you to share your events and news – all to engage othersin what you are doing. This will create even more community inpositive spaces. The Now Guide connects us all through virtualcommunities across Western Massachusetts and beyond.

Human Service Forum kicks-off 40th Anniversary during itsSpring 2025 Breakfast - June 26 @ 7:30 am - 10:00 amLocation: 450 Memorial Banquets at 450 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020 To register: https://www.humanserviceforum.org/event/breakfast-40-years-of-hsf-begins-now/Join the Human Service Forum (HSF) on June 26to kick off its 40th anniversary with a specialnetworking breakfast (7:30 pm) - see link to registerbelow! You can enjoy coffee and a breakfast buffetwhile we celebrate our community and reflect onthe impact we've made together. Thank you forbeing part of our journey! The Human Service Forum in Springfield, MA wasfounded in 1986 as an organization for humanservice providers in the Pioneer Valley. It wasenvisioned as a "Chamber of Commerce" forhuman services, aiming to facilitate communication,address common concerns, and discuss trends in thesector. Today, it's a key provider of training andcertification for human services and nonprofitorganizations. The Forum's original founders sought to create anetwork where human service providers and stateagencies could connect and collaborate. Vision: The Forum's goal was to encourage networkingand communication among a wide range of humanservice providers, including nonprofit and publicagencies. Impact: The Forum has grown to include over 100organizations and individuals with a collective budget ofapproximately $400 million, employing over 16,000people. Role: The Human Service Forum serves as a voice for thehuman service and nonprofit sector in Massachusetts. Join us!

The Equity in the 413: Western MassachusettsRacial Equity Summit is back for 2025 and inmore prominent and impactful ways. Scheduled totake place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 8 amto 5 pm at Westfield State University (WSU), theSummit is expected to foster growth, collaboration,and action. Its move to WSU reflects growinginterest and commitment from businesses,organizations, and institutions across all sectors tobring even more people into vital conversationsabout racial equity in western Massachusetts. In 2023, Equity in the 413 convened more than 350professionals from the region. They were invited totake actionable steps toward fostering racial equityin their workplaces and communities. This year,the Summit builds on its past success with newopportunities for engagement. The keynotespeaker will inspire attendees to think bigger andact boldly. Meet the keynote speaker Taking the stage as keynote speaker is SerildaSummers-McGee, founder and CEO of WorkplaceChange, a people and culture firm created toguide, advise, and encourage the business worldthrough internal and external growth andtransition while incorporating Diversity, Equity,and Inclusion (DEI) into human resources (HR)systems.Summers-McGee has been an HR and DEIinnovator for over 17 years, honing her ability toidentify challenges and opportunities whileteaching the masses how to be better leaders. Shehas inspired thousands to create, embrace, andmobilize lasting organizational change. Summers-McGee expects to challenge attendees to rethinkwhat’s possible and offer strategies for buildingmore equitable organizations. Equity in the 413 Summit ReturnsNew Venue, New Partnership, and Renewed PurposeEquity in the 413 keynote speaker - Serilda Summers-McGee,founder and CEO of Workplace Change New Partnerships and a Shared Mission Equity in the 413 is thrilled to welcome BerkshireTaconic Community Foundation, Faith Based HealthAlliance, and Westfield State University as neworganizing partners this year. Together, the organizingpartners aim to create an experience where ideas canflourish and meaningful change can begin. The otherorganizing partners are: -Behavioral Health Network -Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts -Hilltown Community Health Center -Health New England -Human Service Forum -Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts -City of Springfield DHHS -Western Mass EDC -Women of Color Health Equity Collective story continued on the next page

Title: The Power of Your VoicePresenters: P. Natasha Mitchell and Brian Mitchell from Potter’sWheel Community ServicesEquity, Justice and Environmental Protection: A Holyoke InitiativeElizabeth Cardona, Community Engagement Manager,Massachusetts Department of Environmental AffairsAdvancing from Cultural Awareness, Cultural Competence, toCultural HumilityTraci Talbert, Franklin County Community Development CorpTitle: Navigating Legal Resources and Attorney General’s OfficeAssistancePresenters: Nia Johnson and Emily Torres-Cullinane from theMassachusetts Attorney General’s OfficeTitle: Equity-Focused Strategic PlanningPresenter: Davey Shlasko and Chelsey Branham from Think AgainTraining and ConsultingIn today’s world, conversations about equity are incredibly necessary. Equity in the 413 is meeting theurgency required to address social and professional challenges with actional insights from communityprofessionals ready to make a difference in our region as facilitators of workshop sessions andpresentations. The Summit is a unique opportunity to step away from the noise and focus on the work thattruly matters—creating a fairer and more inclusive western Massachusetts. To register, visit communityfoundation.org/E413. Summit presenters include:Title: Empowering Individuals and Teams Through Asset Mapping:Advancing Equity by Honoring Strengths and Lived ExperiencesPema Latshang and Aly Kenney from Teach Western MassTitle: Sustaining Impact: Tools to Overcome Burnout and Build EmotionalResilience for Mission-Driven Leaders and AdvocatesShawniel Chamanlal from Healing Springs Wellness CenterTitle: Courage, Creativity, and Compassion: Moving Forward in TurbulentTimesNyaunu Stevens and Sandra Vonniessen-Applebee from NCCJFoundations of Connection: The Intersection of Empathy and RestorativePracticesLaTonia Monroe Naylor, Monroe Naylor Consulting LLCJoy: A Tool for Resilience and ResistanceDr. Latoya Bosworth, Got H.E.R.S Get More CoachingLiving Kinship Mind in Our Transformative WorkYsabel Garcia, Estoy Aqui; Tanisha Arena, Arise for Social Justice; JACPatrissi, Growing A New Heart

“I look at every negotiation as an opportunityto solve a problem between me and the othernegotiator. They are not my adversary – I needthem – and they need me.” Dr. Joshua N. WeissAuthor of “Getting Back to the Table: 5 Stepsto Reviving Stalled Negotiations”Get back to the table:Would you like to improveyour negotiation skills?

When negotiations fail, it can be hard to start over. Somepeople give up, others forget and move on, but the trulysuccessful negotiator learns from their mistakes. Failing innegotiations is inevitable, but learning and growing fromfailure is not. The book has many strategies and approaches. To betterunderstand the other person's position, have you everfollowed the 70/30 rule? – The rule suggests negotiatorslisten 70% of the time and talk only 30% of the time.Encourage the other person to talk by asking open-endedquestions – questions that start with "how," "why," and"what if." For more techniques and information that will help youwin, get back to the table with the new book by Joshua N.Weiss – "Getting Back to the Table: 5 Steps to RevivingStalled Negotiations." For more information, go to:https://www.joshuanweiss.com/Getting back to the negotiation table means that youunderstand the power of this exchange as a humaninteraction filled with the emotions, intelligence, andbiases of our needs and wants. Through our daily lives,we negotiate almost every moment and action, from howmuch money gets spent to what activities need to becompleted. The outcome of successful negotiations iscontingent upon thorough preparation, includingunderstanding the other party's interests, setting cleargoals, delineating boundaries, aligning strategy withtechnique, and managing emotions. The top five general negotiation mistakes include failing to prepare, being too focused on winning, not listening effectively, acting on emotion rather than logic, and not understanding your BATNA (BestAlternative to a Negotiated Agreement). Dr. Joshua N. Weiss, a Bay Path professor and co-founder of Harvard's Global Negotiation Initiative,encourages individuals to overcome stalled or failednegotiations by returning to the table with increasedstrength and resilience, carefully learning from thechallenges they encounter. Getting Back to the Tableexplores the reality of failure in negotiation. It outlinesthe types of failures that can occur, how to cope withthem when they do, and how we can develop resiliencein the face of them. Using the book’s easy-to-useframework created by Dr. Weiss, readers can get back tothe negotiation table with increased chances of findingsuccess. “Failing in negotiations is inevitable, but learning and growing from failure is not.” Joshua N. Weiss

The answer is yes. Tribe’s Power Bites, led byfounder Kim Prada, will provide you with theinspiration and energetic motivation to not onlyembrace these truly powerful bites but also topursue your success. Prada is a community partner at GOODWORKSCoffee House in Chicopee – and the coffee, tea,and bites are a wonderful combination.The Tribe Bites offers over six delicious flavoroptions, subject to availability. The power bites areguilt-free, gluten-free, and kid-friendly, offeringvegan and nut-free options as well.TRIBE POWER BITES began as a healthy on-the-go snacking alternative for Founder and CEOKim Prada, who celebrates bringing peopletogether. The name “TRIBE” comes from theconnections Kim made during the process ofstarting her business. Not only did her customersgive her a sense of community through theirsupport, but they also became her family, or hertribe, as well.Prada’s goal is to be a positive role model for herdaughter and build generational wealth for theirfuture - while also fueling a TRIBE of go-getters,one POWER BITE at a time! Known for hernetworking, Prada is creating a movement ofpeople who move together for success.Do you need a power bite from Tribe?https://tribepowerbites.comBUSINESSDo you need a power bite?

The Through Ebony’s Eyes Foundation proudly held its2025 Annual Gala, themed “Adult Prom: A Night toRemember” at the Basketball Hall of Fame onSaturday April 12, 2025. This highly anticipated eventunited the community for a glamorous evening whileraising funds for scholarships to benefit high schoolseniors and first-year college students from low-incomefamilies. Through Ebony’s Eyes was founded in April 2019 bylongtime stylist Larshell Curley, owner of EpiphanyGlam Studio in Springfield, MA in honor of her latedaughter Ebony Monette McCrae-Curley.“I welcome the opportunity to help others andespecially our next generation,” says Larshell Curley.Through Ebony’s Eyes Foundation is dedicated touplifting underprivileged youth through scholarships,educational resources, and community supportinitiatives. A special thanks to all of the attendees, vendors andcommunity supporters who made the event possible.A prom with a purposeSpringfield, MA nonprofit Through Ebony’sEyes Foundation – Hosts An UnforgettableEvening in support of youthStay tuned for future Through Ebony’s Eyes Foundationactivities and events. Also, please consider making adonation to the scholarship fund. Contact us: https://throughebonyseyes.org/Email: throughebonyeyes@gmail.comPhone: (860) 420-9169 OR 413-505-9088

It was a win for studentsand the trade industry WTrades

River East School to Career presented WTrades,Your Present is Your Future, a skilled tradescareer exploration day. The event occurred onApril 9, 2025, at the Basketball Hall of Fame inSpringfield, MA. Over 200 students from greaterSpringfield and greater Palmer areas attended. This program showcased strategic andexploratory resources and hands-onopportunities to enrich students’ knowledgeabout prospects for future employment and howto achieve a skilled trades career. Exhibitorsinside and outside of the Hall of Fame expressedhow engaged and curious the students were.Along with the over 50 exhibitors, the studentswere welcomed by three fascinating speakers.Brandie Benoit, Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker,Courtney Murphy, first year plumber apprentice,and Nikai Fondon Bannister, CEO, Evolve HerEnterprises.The skilled trades industry offers a broad rangeof career opportunities, from construction,mechanical, and industrial to healthcare,technical, and advanced manufacturing trades.However, many students are unaware of thesepossibilities or the training and/or educationalpaths available, such as apprenticeships,community colleges, technical institutes,vocational programs, and online training."Older workers in the skilled trades are retiringand not enough young people are training upto take their jobs as construction workers,plumbers, electricians and beyond." Axios.com3/18/23WTrades allowed local students to explorevarious trades careers. Be on the lookout fornext year’s WTrades event. For moreinformation, please visitRiverEaststc.org/Wtrades.

Fifty years ago, the Western Massachusetts TrainingConsortium (the Consortium) opened its doors with aclear mission: to support individuals transitioningfrom institutional care into community life. Whatbegan as a small, innovative response to a significantsocial shift has grown into a deeply rootedorganization serving over 4,000 people acrossHampden and Hampshire Counties every year.Today, The Consortium is proud to invite you -- ourneighbors, partners, and supporters-- to celebrate thismilestone with us, and to reflect on the journey we’vetaken together.From a single office to 29 Locations A Legacy Built onListening to Lived ExperienceFounded in 1975 during a pivotal era ofdeinstitutionalization, the Consortium emerged as atraining ground for former institutional staff andmore importantly as a platform to listen to the voicesof those who had lived inside those institutions.As our Executive Director, Kristel Applebee, who hasbeen with the organization for over 25 years, explains:“We were created to help people live successfully intheir communities not by telling them what theyneeded, but by asking them and truly listening. Thatlegacy of listening still defines us today.”Western Massachusetts Training Consortium Celebrates 50 Years of Community, Connection, and Change by Alafia “Terrie” Thompson, PMP, is the Director of Development at theWestern Massachusetts TrainingConsortium and a proud advocate forpeer-led, community-driven changethroughout the region. With nearly 400 employees, 13 distinct programs,and 29 locations, the Consortium continues toprovide peer-led, community-based services thatrange from peer led recovery supports and mentalhealth supports, to resources for survivors ofviolence and residential programs for people withdevelopmental disabilities.Honoring Partnership and Community LeadershipThis 50th anniversary is a celebration of our pastand a call to action for the future. We’re honored tohave bankESB as our Platinum Sponsor, whosecommitment to community impact aligns deeplywith our values.We’re also proud to recognize DanielF. O’Sullivan, Assistant Branch Manager atbankESB in Holyoke, as our 2025 CommunityAmbassador.A Community Ambassador ismore than a title, it’s a rolebuilt on heart, trust, andengagement. It’s about simplyshowing up in boardrooms,but being present inneighborhoods, where the realwork of community changetakes place. Daniel is a livingexample of that commitment,and we’re grateful for hisleadership.

Join Us at the Consortium Community Fair!To mark this momentous occasion, notes Applebee,“We are inviting everyone to the ConsortiumCommunity Fair (see information below). This free,family-friendly event will showcase our programs,community partners, sponsors, and communityresources with music, activities, and opportunities toconnect with the people and stories behind our work.As I often say, our greatest strength lies in the peoplecollaborate with in our community partnerships thatwe build. The Community Fair is a celebration andan open invitation to be part of the next 50 years ofimpact. We are excited to welcome you to this specialevent. It’s a time to amplify community impact,highlight our shared work, and honor the livedexperiences that have shaped our mission.”Looking Ahead—TogetherThe Consortium is more than an organization.Kristel Apples expressed “The Consortium is amovement rooted in equity, led by peers, and shapedby community voices. As we honor our past and looktoward the future, we remain steadfast in ourcommitment to inclusion, healing, and transformativechange.”We hope you’ll join us not just for our CommunityFair, but as a partner in building a more connected,compassionate Western Massachusetts.For event updates, program information, andanniversary celebrations, visit wmtcinfo.org.

The AAKOMA Project Unveils Largest-Ever Study on MentalHealth of Youth and Young Adults of ColorThe AAKOMA Project has released its highly anticipated 2025State of Mental Health of Youth and Young Adults of Color(SOMHYOC) Report, a groundbreaking research initiative thatredefines the landscape of mental health data, equity, andadvocacy for nearly 9,000 Youth and Young Adults of Color(YYAC) across the United States.This unprecedented study-now the largest of its kind-builds onAAKOMA's trailblazing 2023 report and delivers a vivid, data-driven portrait of the mental health experiences, needs, anddisparities facing Black/African American, Latino/é, AsianAmerican/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI), NativeAmerican/Indigenous, Arab/Middle Eastern and North African(MENA), and Biracial/Multiracial youth and young adults aged13-25. Key Findings:Historic Representation: The study's sample includesBlack/African American (17.3%), Latino/é (17.3%),AANHPI (16.9%), Native American/Indigenous (17.2%),Arab/MENA (14.0%), and Biracial/Multiracial (17.3%)YYAC, with an even split between ages 13-17 (49.3%) and18-25 (50.7%).Intersectional Realities: 44.3% of respondents identify asLGBTQIA+; 13.7% as transgender, nonbinary, orgenderqueer; and 19.8% report a disability.Socioeconomic Barriers: 41.1% of YYAC reported goingwithout food, and 34.4% could not afford internet access inthe prior year, highlighting urgent structural inequities.Mental Health Crisis: Data show over half of YYAC reportmoderate to severe depression or anxiety, with 37.0%experiencing suicidal ideation in the prior yearExposure to Racial Trauma: 91% of YYAC reportedexposure to at least one source of racial trauma,underscoring the unique and pervasive stressors impactingmental health outcomesResilience and Hope: Despite challenges, 61.1% reporthaving at least one person who loves them, and 57.8%remain hopeful about the future."For too long, the mental health needs of Youthand Young Adults of Color have beenoverlooked, under-researched, andunderfunded," said Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble,Founder and Board President of TheAAKOMA Project. "With this report, we arenot just filling a gap, we are setting a newstandard for what inclusive, actionable, andcommunity-centered mental health researchlooks like. The voices of our youth are clear:they deserve to be seen, heard, and supported."The 2025 SOMHYOC Report is more than adata set-it is a clarion call to transform howsystems respond to the voices and needs ofYYAC. The AAKOMA Project urges policymakers,educators, clinicians, and advocates to leveragethese findings to inform culturally responsiveinterventions, equitable funding, and policyreforms that center the lived realities of Youthand Young Adults of Color.

In light of the ongoing challenges faced by nurses,WalletHub took stock of the nursing industry tohelp registered nurses, particularly new graduates,pick a place to live that will bring success. We did soby comparing the 50 states across 20 key metricsthat collectively speak to the nursing-jobopportunities in each market.“Nurses are among the most essential workers in thecountry, as we’ve seen all too well over the past fewyears. Since they work in such a demandingprofession, nurses deserve to work in places that willcompensate them appropriately and offer themreasonable working conditions. The best states fornurses have high salaries, mandatory overtime limits,high-quality health care facilities and plenty of jobopportunities.” Chip Lupo, WalletHub AnalystJOB watchNursing

Conflict MitigationWhy it’s on the rise: From navigatingreturn-to-office debates to managingdiverse, multigenerational teams, theability to resolve workplace conflicts isessential for fostering collaboration andleading dynamic, high-performingteams.AdaptabilityWhy it’s on the rise: In a constantlyevolving workplace driven by economicshifts and technological advancements,the ability to learn, pivot, and stayresilient is essential for long-termsuccess.Innovative ThinkingWhy it’s on the rise: As AI reshapesindustries, creative problem-solving isessential—not only for drivingtechnological advancements but also forpreserving the human ingenuity thatsets us apart from machines. Public SpeakingWhy it’s on the rise: Strong verbalcommunication is crucial at every careerlevel—from intern to executive—helpingprofessionals inspire confidence, conveyideas persuasively, and expand theirinfluence.For the fulll list of skills and the entirearticle, go to:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/15-fastest-growing-skills-us-katrice-miller-n1jzc/ LinkedIn predicts that by 2030, 70% oftoday’s job skills will be different. Forprofessionals, staying competitiverequires a proactive approach, whetherby acquiring in-demand skills ordeepening expertise in key areas.What skills are you developing?LEARN to EARNKatrice Miller recently shared anarticle on LinkedIn that highlightsthe “15 Fastest Growing Skills inthe U.S.”Miller notes, “Change is a constantin today’s evolving workforce, withtechnological advancementsreshaping industries and redefiningthe skills needed to succeed.LinkedIn predicts that by 2030, 70%of today’s job skills will be different.For businesses, adapting to this shiftmeans prioritizing skills-basedhiring NOW to build a future-readyworkforce. For professionals, stayingcompetitive requires a proactiveapproach, whether by acquiring in-demand skills or deepening expertisein key areas. Of the 15 fastest growing skills inthe US, please see the followingcompetencies that are noted ascritical to success today andtomorrow:

Arts,Culture,andHistoryArea artist Renee WoodardFlowers (shown below) ,Creative Visionary, sharesart from her 2025 calendarand encourages everyone to“See beyond yourimagination.”To learn more about hercalendar and art, send anemail toreneesvisuals3@gmail.com.

Born in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood,John Wilson (1922–2015) is one of thecity’s most esteemed artists, whodedicated his career to imaginingdifferent futures, exposing injustices, andadvocating for authentic and positiverepresentation of Black Americans. Formore than six decades, he made powerfulworks that continue to resonate with thepersistent realities of disenfranchisementand inequality. Co-organized by theMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), andthe Metropolitan Museum of Art, NewYork, Witnessing Humanity: The Art ofJohn Wilson is the largest-ever exhibitionof the artist’s work.Exhibition closes on June 22 – free toMassachusetts residents on June 19in honor of Juneteenth.Witnessing Humanity: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston presents largest-ever exhibition of worksby Roxbury Artist John Wilson

Author of two dozen books, Richard Seltzer has beenwriting stories for 70 years. He's been an editor, novelist,Russian translator, part-time spy, Internet evangelist, andeBook entrepreneur. He has published children'sfantasies, historical novels, and pioneering books on howto conduct business on the Internet. Now he's anancestor surfacing — discovering that he's descendedfrom Eleanor of Aquitaine, kings of England, Scotland,and France, princes of Kiev, Byzantine emperors, Attilathe Hun, and Charlemagne.Four of his recent books are set during the Trojan War:Let the Women Have Their Say, We First Met in Ithacaor Was It Eden? Trojan Tales, and Breeze. Five novels(Parallel Lives, Beyond the Fourth Door, Never mind,Shakespeare's Twin Sister, and To Gether Tales) overlapand echo in interesting ways, with stories inside storiesand touches of magical realism. These books grew fromhis life experiences and themes that matter to him. Thesenovels can be read in any order. They are independentstories with stylistic and thematic overlaps. Each creates adifferent view of reality, a different way of trying tounderstand the mysteries of life.Seltzer once worked for DEC (Digital EquipmentCorporation), the minicomputer company, as a writerand Internet Evangelist. He graduated from Yale with amajor in English, attended Yale's graduate school inComparative Literature, and earned an MA inComparative Literature from the University ofMassachusetts Amherst. At Yale, he completed creativewriting courses with Robert Penn Warren and JosephHeller.Meet author Richard Seltzer Embrace facts, fiction and fantasy Three novels of Richard Seltzer will receive rave reviews in the June 9 issue ofPublisher’s Weekly. To purchase books, go to Amazon-https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APBTAA?ingress=0&visitId=88c53903-f5ce-4e84-ad90-95c333bfe30aShakespeare's Twin Sister "A bawdy, inventive rompthrough Shakespeareanhistory, with a twin sister whohas her own story to tell."Let the Women Have Their Say "The women of the Trojan Warare given striking voice in thissweeping retelling.... Seltzer’sfemale leads are powerful,smart, and deliberate, eachholding their own against thelegendary Achilles, Ajax, andAgamemnon—andovershadowing even Greece’sstoried gods in their fight forfreedom from the confines ofman-made laws and edicts.The Bulatovich Saga: TheName Hero "Seltzer’s narrativedisplays an almostTolstoyan sweep, with arange of characters whowage not just war but alsophilosophical debates onquestions of belief, faith,dissent, and identityamidst the chaos of battle."

The 2025 Met Gala theme was inspired by the vision, voice andresearch of author Monica L. Miller. Her two books – "Superfine:Tailoring Black Style" and "Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism andthe Styling of Black Diasporic Identity" anchored the event andexhibit with clarity and style."Tailored for You," the 2025 Met Gala theme, centered on BlackDandyism, spanning from the 18th century to the present day asrooted in Miller’s works. The theme was inspired by the CostumeInstitute's spring 2025 exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring BlackStyle," which examines the importance of men's clothing and stylein shaping Black identities. It was the institute's first exhibition inaround two decades to focus specifically on menswear and malefashion.In an article for Vogue back in the fall of 2024, Vogue Runwaydirector Nicole Phelps defines the character of the Black Dandy as"an exuberant attention to dress." Citing Lil Nas X's encrusted suitat the 2023 Met Gala as one example of a Black Dandy, Phelpsnotes, “Dandyism, for the unacquainted, is an exuberant attentionto dress. She described Black dandyism as a strategy and a tool torethink identity, to reimagine the self in a different context.”Monica Miller, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies at BarnardCollege, Columbia University, examined the figure of the Blackdandy from its earliest depictions in 18th century art to modern-day representations from the runways and film. The show isinspired by her 2009 book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism andthe Styling of Black Diasporic Identity, in which she establishesBlack dandyism as both an aesthetic and political construct.The acknowledgment of dandyism comes years after many socialmovements called for the recognition of African-American humanrights and culture across the United States. Black dandyism isreceiving the global spotlight it has long deserved and documentsthe pivotal role Black culture plays in shaping fashion. “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” by Monica L. Miller withAndrew Bolton, William DeGregorio, and Amanda Garfinkel(Photographs by Tyler Mitchell), also explores the importance ofstyle to the formation of Black identities in the Atlantic diaspora,particularly in the United States and Europe as evidenced by apresentation of garments and accessories, paintings, photographs,decorative arts, and more. The books behind the Met GalaAuthor Monica L. Miller “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the styling of Blackdiasporic identity” and “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style”by Victoria KingIn June, Yale University Press will release, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style', a hardcover companionbook by Monica Miller for this year's Met gala.story continued on the next page

Music is at the intersection of fashion and styleAs an opener to the annual exhibition, a 20-personchoir performed a rendition of the popular song‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ by Marvin Gayeand Tammi Terrell. Composed in the late 1960s, thesong features lyrics such as “remember the day I setyou free” in a rhythm-and-blues style as a referenceto feelings of “empowerment” and the inner strengthneeded to withstand personal hardship, according toa 2023 article by staff author Cillea Houghton forAmerican Songwriter.For the event, this song was a great choice because itmirrored the reverence of song at the intersection ofidentity, community and empowerment. Gospel, astyle of song and genre, originated amongstdisplaced members of the African Americandiaspora and the influence of European Christianity.Preceded by the Negro Spiritualism movement, theGospel movement offered a way rethink life, identity,empowerment and expression.Overall, the MET Gala runway was tailored forstyle, from music to history, and a glimpse ofinnovative fashion and motivation for all decades. Aspecial thanks to author Monica Miller for herbooks help educate and engage audiences in thepresence and style through history. It’s important for viewers to recognize the largercultural impact of the Met Gala as a beacon of artisticfreedom and self-expression within the modern age. According to the Met Museum’s description page, theirmission is to ensure the collection and presentation ofthe last five-thousand years of human history throughvarious forms of artistic expression such as sculptureand painting. Shown left is Olaudah Equiano (1745 -1797), a writer and abolitionist whowas enslaved as a child in West Africa, yet years later, purchased his freedomin 1766. In his memoir, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of OlaudahEquiano, he notes the moment when he purchased a suit of "superfineclothes" to celebrate his newfound liberty.

EventsT h e S c h o o l a t J a c o b ’ s P i l l o w : C o n t e m p o r a r yB a l l e t P e r f o r m a n c e E n s e m b l eSaturday, June 28 at 5:30pm | Henry J. Leir Stage World PremierePerformances by The School at Jacob’s Pillow Performance Ensembles showcase the workof the next generation of dance artists. This performance is the culmination of a two-weekContemporary Ballet Program, featuring original repertoire by leading choreographerswho serve as Artist Faculty: Program Director Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and GuestChoreographer Durante Verzola.Dancers of The School at Jacob’s Pillow are apprentices, trainees, pre-professionals, andearly-career professionals from around the world.

Witch Panic! Massachusetts Before SalemMay 17, 2025–November 2, 2025Wood Museum of Springfield HistoryDiscover a time when accused witches walked among us.Forty years before the infamous trials in Salem, fear grippedthe small settlement of Springfield, Massachusetts.Neighbors whispered about Mary and Hugh Parsons asrumors simmered for years, exploding into hysteria thateventually consumed the town. Witch Panic! dives into thedaily lives of the Parsons, examining the circumstances thatled to their 1651 accusation and arrest for witchcraft.Learn about the folklore surrounding witches, like theirassociation with broomsticks, black cats, and cauldrons, ordesign your own ghoulish familiar, a small creature believedto help witches. Review the evidence of the Parsons’witchcraft as a member of the jury and determine theirinnocence or guilt.William Pynchon’s The Meritorious Price of Our RedemptionThe exhibition also features objects from the Museums’permanent collection, including one of the last remainingcopies of Springfield founder William Pynchon’s TheMeritorious Price of Our Redemption, one of the first booksto be banned in English North America. The Museums’ copy the has the distinction of being ownedby Cotton Mather, the Puritan clergyman who influencedand recorded the witch trials in Salem (1692-1693).Witch Panic! Massachusetts Before Salem explores howwitchcraft influenced early Springfield and how theconversation continues

22News Anchor Ciara Speller invites you tosupport the work and vision of the Jeffrey SpellerFoundation '4 Change', during our 2nd annualcharitable golf tournament on Saturday, June 28th. “As a 501(c)(3) we provide resources for local youthin economically challenged communities toparticipate in golf programs,” notes Ciara Speller.“We are excited about generating funds to helpyouth experience the world of golf. This year’souting will be held at Wyckoff Country Club inHolyoke, MA. Secure your spot to play or purchaselunch and dinner tickets. Please join us for a fun-filled day of making a difference.” Join us on the golf course--Get a hole in one to help others

by Radiance Flowers In New England, estimates show that there are over 1,000 museums and even more historical societiesand libraries. Many of these institutions are readily found in tourism brochures and historical journals,while others have not had the benefit of wide publicity. In this section, please see a range of museumoptions that might be of interest.Road trip: In support of museums1. Museum of AfricanAmerican History: in Bostonand Nantucket, MA2. African Meeting House:Boston, MA3. National Black DollMuseum of History: NorthAttleborough, MA4. Museum of the NationalCenter of Afro-AmericanArtists: Boston, MA5.The Robbins House:Concord, MA6. Royall House and SlaveQuarters: Medford, MA7. Pan African HistoricalMuseum USA, Springfield,MAMuseum of African American History – Boston & Nantucket, MA- New England’s largestmuseum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the contributions of African Americans. Itencompasses two historic sites: the African Meeting House and Abiel Smith School in Boston,and the African Meeting House and Florence Higginbotham House in Nantucket. These siteswere central to 18th and 19th-century Black communities, serving as hubs for activism,education, and culture. maah.orgNational Black Doll Museum of History – North Attleborough, MA. only brick-and-mortarmuseum dedicated to the art, craft, history, and preservation of Black dolls. Cape Verdean Museum- The only museum solely dedicated to celebrating the history andculture of Cape Verde and Cape Verdean Americans. Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists – Boston, MA Dedicated topreserving and interpreting the art and culture of people of African descent

1. Strawberry Banke Museum – Portsmouth, NHA living history museum that brings over 350 years of historyalive, from Indigenous history to the present day. 2.Seacoast African American Cultural Center – Portsmouth,NH. Celebrating over 25 years of sharing the Black experience,this center offers concerts, educational programs, exhibitsfromnotable artists, theater performances, and a library. 3. Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center – Peterborough,NHA museum dedicated to exploring world cultures throughexhibits, performances, and educational programs. It offers aplatform for understanding and appreciating cultural diversity.1. Ruby & Calvin Fletcher African American HistoryMuseum: Stratford, CTA community-run museum that showcases the history andcontributions of African Americans in the Stratford area. 2.Prudence Crandall Museum: Canterbury, CTThis museum preserves the legacy of Prudence Crandall, a19th-century educator who opened the first academy forAfrican American girls in New England. 3. Wadsworth Antheneum Museum of Art: Hartford, CT/TheAmistad Center for Art & Culture at the WadsworthAtheneum Museum documents the experience, expressions,and history of people of African American heritage.1. Cape Verdean Museum:Pawtucket, RIThe only museum solely dedicatedto celebrating the history andculture of Cape Verde and CapeVerdean Americans. It featuresexhibits on music, arts, slavery,whaling, immigration, andindependence, along with anextensive library for research. 2. Museum of Work & Culture:Woonsocket, RIThis museum presents thecompelling story of immigrantswho came to find a better life inthe mill towns along theBlackstone River.3.The Rhode Island BlackHeritage Society is constituted forthe purpose of: Procuring,collecting, and preserving books,pamphlets, letters, manuscripts,prints, photographs, paintings,and any other historical materialrelating to the history of theBlacks of Rhode Island

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