Women of Color Giving Circle, Berkshire County Chapter of NAACP Graduates Recognition Event

03:08PM / Thursday, May 29, 2025Print Story | Email Story

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.

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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