'Lift Ev'ry Voice' Will Celebrate African-American Heritage in the Berkshires
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A collaborative monthlong effort across the county next summer will speak loud and clear about the region's African-American heritage."Lift Ev’ry Voice" will incorporate Berkshire County nonprofits and individuals in a major cultural festival beginning in June. It's a long time coming, said committee co-Chairwoman Shirley Edgerton
"We've been working on this project for six months at least and we’re extremely excited that this is a Berkshire-wide event,” she told the educators, elected officials and cultural ambassadors gathered on Monday at Second Congregational Church for the announcement. "This is a unique opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate not only African-American heritage but to celebrate the human spirit."
Edgerton said Lift Ev'ry Voice will include a variety of programming and participations from arts organizations such as Jacob's Pillow, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, the Colonial Theatre, Hancock Shaker Village and the Norman Rockwell Museum, to name a few. The celebration will also include involvement from area youth organizations, including the Pittsfield Public Schools. This educational aspect is what is particularly engaging for state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lee.
"This county is rich with African-American history; it's not taught enough in our public schools," he said. "It's another important historical chapter here in the Berkshires. And this celebration is just another piece of the creative economy that we are all talking about.'"
 North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto and Rep. William Pignatelli are excited about the potential of the festival. |
"The festival serves as a marketing umbrella for individual organizations and events," she said. "There are a variety of sources that we have right now. Of course, the city of Pittsfield will contribute to the festival and the Berkshire Visitors Bureau has agreed to provide some support. We were also just informed that the Greylock Federal Credit Union is going to contribute $5,000 to the celebration. This celebration has universal human appeal. African-American culture is huge in this country."
The appeal is much more than economics, said co-Chairman Don Quinn Kelley. It is about bringing awareness to all Berkshire communities.
"The legacy of the Berkshires is really a legacy of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," he said. "We want to celebrate progressive perfection and how far we've come and how far we need to go."
Mayor James Ruberto lauded the celebration especially at a time when, according to him, minority statistics in the city are less than impressive.
“Lift Ev’ry Voice is the brainchild of some brilliant and creative and talented people and it's going to bring economic benefits for Berkshire County; I'm proud of that," he said. “I'm not proud that in the City of Pittsfield we still do not have the proper relationship with minorities. I’m not proud that African-American students trail tremendously behind their white counterparts. We need to raise the pride of our young kids."
For more information on events surrounding Lift Ev'ry Voice or to become involved contact Edgerton at annburg1@hotmail.com or Kelley at donquinnkelley@earthlink.net.
