BCC to Host Campus Events to Celebrate Black History Month

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will host a series of student events across campus in February in honor of Black History Month.  
 
The College's Student Engagement Center will be hosting these events for students, led by the College's Coordinator of Student Diversity Programs and Belonging, Erica Barreto. 
 
Black History Month events at BCC include:  
 
• Call and Response: National Freedom Day will take place all month long. National Freedom Day is an annual memorial to the signing of the 13th Amendment by President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Students will learn more about this holiday and take a moment to reflect on what freedom means. The College will be collecting anonymous responses to the freedom prompt throughout February. At the end of the month, all responses will be shared to visually represent what freedom means to the BCC community. 
 
• On Thursday, Feb. 8, Cravins Soft Serve and Frozen Yogurt will host a pop-up on campus as the College shows its support for Black-owned businesses.  
 
• On Wednesday, Feb. 21, Professor Liesl Schwabe will facilitate "Spotlight on Black Voices: A Writing Workshop," where students will read, write and reflect on prominent Black voices, past and present.  
 
• Finally, the College will host a BCC Alumni panel, "Black Excellence and Joy," on Thursday, Feb. 29. The panel discussion will share stories that celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black alumni to spur a spirit of excellence among our undergrads. 
 

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Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated. 

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then. 

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said. 

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team. 

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.  

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball. 

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads. 

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