New Pathways
timely talks on creating equitable futures and what COVID-19 is teaching us.
Curated by Gwendolyn VanSant, Berkshire Business & Professional Women “Woman of the Year” 2019 & Presented by BRIDGE
Welcome to BRIDGE’s new collection of talks and webinars (coming soon!) intended to seed an equitable and resilient future based on justice, healing, and transformation! As BRIDGE stays committed to our mission of advancing equity and justice, we are sharing these short and accessible talks with local and national leaders to support new forms of leadership and organizing during and post COVID-19.
This platform will host talks on diversity, equity and inclusion, healthcare, financial health and literacy, resilience, mindfulness, belonging and more. Our speakers bring their own unique wisdom to the table and their messages are aligned with our core values at BRIDGE. Whether you are new to our work or a longtime client or partner, this series will be a useful resource to you right now and a valuable supplement to our core offerings. This series will serve as both an oxygen mask during these challenging times as well as an opportunity to create new pathways in our hearts, brains, and (thereby) our work.
How to Use New Pathways Talks:
Now is a time for urgent response and intentional reflection. We need people mobilizing, and we still want folks to practice self-care and community care while embodying the values of equity and justice work. Now is a time to let go of past structures, and be courageous, generous, and vulnerable with each other. This series is meant to help you both respond and reflect. These talks are useful, inspiring, and healing! Please share them with others and if you appreciate this series, support BRIDGE’s work by making a donation to BRIDGE today, or support our work on Patreon.
Coming up May 21-24th! Accompanying New Pathways Talks will be webinars, action labs, and community conversations for those who want to take deeper dives and craft action plans! Please note: Our IDEA Institute Train-the-Trainer program has also pivoted and will now host these new conversations that support the core values and methodologies of the IDEA Institute @BRIDGE.
Welcome to BRIDGE’s new collection of talks and webinars (coming soon!) intended to seed an equitable and resilient future based on justice, healing, and transformation! As BRIDGE stays committed to our mission of advancing equity and justice, we are sharing these short and accessible talks with local and national leaders to support new forms of leadership and organizing during and post COVID-19.
This platform will host talks on diversity, equity and inclusion, healthcare, financial health and literacy, resilience, mindfulness, belonging and more. Our speakers bring their own unique wisdom to the table and their messages are aligned with our core values at BRIDGE. Whether you are new to our work or a longtime client or partner, this series will be a useful resource to you right now and a valuable supplement to our core offerings. This series will serve as both an oxygen mask during these challenging times as well as an opportunity to create new pathways in our hearts, brains, and (thereby) our work.
How to Use New Pathways Talks:
Now is a time for urgent response and intentional reflection. We need people mobilizing, and we still want folks to practice self-care and community care while embodying the values of equity and justice work. Now is a time to let go of past structures, and be courageous, generous, and vulnerable with each other. This series is meant to help you both respond and reflect. These talks are useful, inspiring, and healing! Please share them with others and if you appreciate this series, support BRIDGE’s work by making a donation to BRIDGE today, or support our work on Patreon.
Coming up May 21-24th! Accompanying New Pathways Talks will be webinars, action labs, and community conversations for those who want to take deeper dives and craft action plans! Please note: Our IDEA Institute Train-the-Trainer program has also pivoted and will now host these new conversations that support the core values and methodologies of the IDEA Institute @BRIDGE.
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Learn More About Our Speakers
Erika Allison and Alex Dest with Pascal Renders Discuss Socially Conscious Investing
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In order for change to happen, you have to lead from your heart, deeply consider how you are using your money and resources, and be authentic. Heart-centered leadership matters. Moreover, to reduce social and economic disparities and create real systems change, we must to shift resources for positive social impact. This means reducing power mongering, profiteering, and forsaking humanity and prioritizing loving change and transformation.
Speaker Bios: Erika Allison, Alex Dest, Pascal Renders
Toni Bergins, MEd on Embodying Change and “Positive Bystanderism”
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In change work, it is always easier to take action and mobilize others when we draw from our core values. In this time of COVID-19 related stress and trauma, embodiment is essential.
Speaker Bios: Toni Bergins
Newell Eaton On Executive Leadership and the Power of Appreciative Inquiry
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Navigating change in human and organizational development work is a skill and a practice. Leaders need to be prepared to lead and navigate change effectively
Speaker Bios: Newell Eaton
Gloria Escobar on Financial Literacy and Community Empowerment
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? For individuals, developing financial literacy is critical right in this moment. For organizations, the work during COVID-19 is to create access to programs that promote financial success. Families need support and tools to rethink their budgets and have open conversations around money and finances.
Speaker Bios: Gloria Escobar
Andrea Harrington, Berkshire District Attorney on Changemaking and Justice
A note from Gwendolyn. Why this talk now? It is essential to see who is boldly leading change on a local and national level. Our criminal justice system is closely linked to the economic and racial disparities in our policies and laws.
Speaker Bios: Andrea Harrington
Andre Henry On Social Change and Activism
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Particularly in this COVID-19 era, it is critical to examine the effects of racism and white supremacy (and its symptom colorblindness) in systems, policies, and practices.
Speaker Bios: Andre Henry
Malia Lazu On Reducing Economic Disparities and Caring for our Black and Brown Communities
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? As we build and rebuild community, it is crucial that we repair our racialized economic system and develop historical literacy to inform our actions.
Speaker Bios: Malia Lazu
Shameeka Mattis-Pinard, MSW On Social Change and Mental Health
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In these times, we must lead by example. As we aim to do so, we must understand the impacts and intersections of identity. We have so much to learn from Shameeka Mattis-Pinard about gender diversity and the often correlating trauma due to restrictive social norms.
Speaker Bios: Shameeka Mattis-Pinard
Pascal Renders On Heart-Centered, Executive Leadership
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? For organizations to be truly relevant, human beings have to be at the center. Leading from structures and logic does not always serve, leading from the heart does. The courage to put yourself as a leader, your employees, and your partners first over the bottom line is essential, and it typically leads to even more positive outcomes.
Speaker Bios: Pascal Renders
Jen Salinetti On Solidarity and Sustainability in our local Food Economy
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? As we seek to steward the Earth’s resources more wisely and increase community health, we must center indigenous knowledge and place-based movements.
Speaker Bios: Jen Salinetti
Lara Setti, MD, MPH on Health Literacy
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? So many cultural and social issues are also health issues. Right now, developing a trusting relationship with your medical provider is more important than ever. One’s access to personal and family health directly correlates to social status and thriving.
Speaker Bios: Lara Setti
Maria Sirois, Psy.D. on Resilience
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Developing and maintaining a resilient mindset is critical as we move through culture and transformation work in our communities and businesses. During and after this pandemic, these skills will be even more necessary.
Speaker Bios: Maria Sirois
Jenn Smith on Whose Stories We Choose To Tell
A note from Gwendolyn: Why now? In our media and our public dialogues, it is essential that we hear all voices right now, including and finally centering those voices who have been culturally, historically, or organizationally underrepresented or marginalized.
Speaker Bios: Jenn Smith
(Coming soon!) Dr. Kimberley Richards on Sustaining Justice and Anti-Racism Work
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In this COVID -19 era, we are seeing racial disparities in employment, health, and life expectancy highlighted at scale. We must ask, how do we continue to undo racism in our institutions, policies, and practices, and sustain an anti-poverty and anti-racism movement?
Speaker Bios: Dr. Kimberley Richards
(Coming soon!) Tracy Gray
Speaker Bios: Tracy Gray
Maria Del Carmen Silva-Baker on Resilience and the “Growth Mindset”
A note from Gwendolyn: Why now? Developing a growth mindset not only helps us build upon our strengths, but also embrace cultural change. Just as we work with a strengths-based approach at BRIDGE, I am clear that we all need to create change plans right now based on what is already working and the resources we already have in place.
Speaker Bios: Maria Del Carmen Silva-Baker
Jennifer Williams on Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Equity and inclusion is high priority, strategic change work for organizations right now. The challenges of COVID-19 for both employers and employees makes this work even higher priority, not less.
Speaker Bios: Jennifer Williams
JV Hampton VanSant on LGBTQ and Youth Leadership
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? It is not only crucial to develop an understanding of gender identity but also to hear from individuals who are gender diverse. As young folks develop leadership skills in diversity to unpack their own life experience, they lead us all on the topics that inspire them. Real Talk provides a framework to develop these skills.
Speaker Bios: JV Hampton-VanSant
Stephanie Wright on Berkshire Legends
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? So often we only hear the stories of the victors or stories from the victors’ perspective. In our Happiness Toolbox program at BRIDGE, our diverse faculty of educators has developed a curriculum that shows the diversity of historical figures and changemakers. This historical knowledge and truth-telling can inspire us for the work ahead.
Speaker Bios: Stephanie Wright
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In order for change to happen, you have to lead from your heart, deeply consider how you are using your money and resources, and be authentic. Heart-centered leadership matters. Moreover, to reduce social and economic disparities and create real systems change, we must to shift resources for positive social impact. This means reducing power mongering, profiteering, and forsaking humanity and prioritizing loving change and transformation.
Speaker Bios: Erika Allison, Alex Dest, Pascal Renders
Toni Bergins, MEd on Embodying Change and “Positive Bystanderism”
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In change work, it is always easier to take action and mobilize others when we draw from our core values. In this time of COVID-19 related stress and trauma, embodiment is essential.
Speaker Bios: Toni Bergins
Newell Eaton On Executive Leadership and the Power of Appreciative Inquiry
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Navigating change in human and organizational development work is a skill and a practice. Leaders need to be prepared to lead and navigate change effectively
Speaker Bios: Newell Eaton
Gloria Escobar on Financial Literacy and Community Empowerment
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? For individuals, developing financial literacy is critical right in this moment. For organizations, the work during COVID-19 is to create access to programs that promote financial success. Families need support and tools to rethink their budgets and have open conversations around money and finances.
Speaker Bios: Gloria Escobar
Andrea Harrington, Berkshire District Attorney on Changemaking and Justice
A note from Gwendolyn. Why this talk now? It is essential to see who is boldly leading change on a local and national level. Our criminal justice system is closely linked to the economic and racial disparities in our policies and laws.
Speaker Bios: Andrea Harrington
Andre Henry On Social Change and Activism
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Particularly in this COVID-19 era, it is critical to examine the effects of racism and white supremacy (and its symptom colorblindness) in systems, policies, and practices.
Speaker Bios: Andre Henry
Malia Lazu On Reducing Economic Disparities and Caring for our Black and Brown Communities
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? As we build and rebuild community, it is crucial that we repair our racialized economic system and develop historical literacy to inform our actions.
Speaker Bios: Malia Lazu
Shameeka Mattis-Pinard, MSW On Social Change and Mental Health
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In these times, we must lead by example. As we aim to do so, we must understand the impacts and intersections of identity. We have so much to learn from Shameeka Mattis-Pinard about gender diversity and the often correlating trauma due to restrictive social norms.
Speaker Bios: Shameeka Mattis-Pinard
Pascal Renders On Heart-Centered, Executive Leadership
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? For organizations to be truly relevant, human beings have to be at the center. Leading from structures and logic does not always serve, leading from the heart does. The courage to put yourself as a leader, your employees, and your partners first over the bottom line is essential, and it typically leads to even more positive outcomes.
Speaker Bios: Pascal Renders
Jen Salinetti On Solidarity and Sustainability in our local Food Economy
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? As we seek to steward the Earth’s resources more wisely and increase community health, we must center indigenous knowledge and place-based movements.
Speaker Bios: Jen Salinetti
Lara Setti, MD, MPH on Health Literacy
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? So many cultural and social issues are also health issues. Right now, developing a trusting relationship with your medical provider is more important than ever. One’s access to personal and family health directly correlates to social status and thriving.
Speaker Bios: Lara Setti
Maria Sirois, Psy.D. on Resilience
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Developing and maintaining a resilient mindset is critical as we move through culture and transformation work in our communities and businesses. During and after this pandemic, these skills will be even more necessary.
Speaker Bios: Maria Sirois
Jenn Smith on Whose Stories We Choose To Tell
A note from Gwendolyn: Why now? In our media and our public dialogues, it is essential that we hear all voices right now, including and finally centering those voices who have been culturally, historically, or organizationally underrepresented or marginalized.
Speaker Bios: Jenn Smith
(Coming soon!) Dr. Kimberley Richards on Sustaining Justice and Anti-Racism Work
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? In this COVID -19 era, we are seeing racial disparities in employment, health, and life expectancy highlighted at scale. We must ask, how do we continue to undo racism in our institutions, policies, and practices, and sustain an anti-poverty and anti-racism movement?
Speaker Bios: Dr. Kimberley Richards
(Coming soon!) Tracy Gray
Speaker Bios: Tracy Gray
Maria Del Carmen Silva-Baker on Resilience and the “Growth Mindset”
A note from Gwendolyn: Why now? Developing a growth mindset not only helps us build upon our strengths, but also embrace cultural change. Just as we work with a strengths-based approach at BRIDGE, I am clear that we all need to create change plans right now based on what is already working and the resources we already have in place.
Speaker Bios: Maria Del Carmen Silva-Baker
Jennifer Williams on Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? Equity and inclusion is high priority, strategic change work for organizations right now. The challenges of COVID-19 for both employers and employees makes this work even higher priority, not less.
Speaker Bios: Jennifer Williams
JV Hampton VanSant on LGBTQ and Youth Leadership
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? It is not only crucial to develop an understanding of gender identity but also to hear from individuals who are gender diverse. As young folks develop leadership skills in diversity to unpack their own life experience, they lead us all on the topics that inspire them. Real Talk provides a framework to develop these skills.
Speaker Bios: JV Hampton-VanSant
Stephanie Wright on Berkshire Legends
A note from Gwendolyn: Why this talk now? So often we only hear the stories of the victors or stories from the victors’ perspective. In our Happiness Toolbox program at BRIDGE, our diverse faculty of educators has developed a curriculum that shows the diversity of historical figures and changemakers. This historical knowledge and truth-telling can inspire us for the work ahead.
Speaker Bios: Stephanie Wright
Why these specific talks?
Why these specific talks?
Gwendolyn VanSant curated the New Pathway series to speak to and continue to build upon key issues and areas of inquiry BRIDGE has been working on for nearly 12 years in Berkshire County and beyond. Learn more about our core trainings.
Coming Soon! (Starting May 21st!)
Additional talks and/or panel discussions with Antoine Alston; Amber Chand; Jahaira M. De Alto; Shirley Edgerton; Estervina Davis; Josie Greene of Crane Foundation; John Lewis; Christopher MacDonald-Dennis of MCLA; Suzanne McDowell of King Arthur; Rachel Moriarty; Aseante Renee; Tuti B. Scott of Tides and Changemaker Strategies; Silvia Soria; Dr. Keeley Verrett; Setsuko Winchester; Greg Watson of Schumacher Center for New Economics and more!
Gwendolyn VanSant curated the New Pathway series to speak to and continue to build upon key issues and areas of inquiry BRIDGE has been working on for nearly 12 years in Berkshire County and beyond. Learn more about our core trainings.
Coming Soon! (Starting May 21st!)
Additional talks and/or panel discussions with Antoine Alston; Amber Chand; Jahaira M. De Alto; Shirley Edgerton; Estervina Davis; Josie Greene of Crane Foundation; John Lewis; Christopher MacDonald-Dennis of MCLA; Suzanne McDowell of King Arthur; Rachel Moriarty; Aseante Renee; Tuti B. Scott of Tides and Changemaker Strategies; Silvia Soria; Dr. Keeley Verrett; Setsuko Winchester; Greg Watson of Schumacher Center for New Economics and more!
NeW Pathways Labs
Launching May 18th, New Pathways Labs focused on community convening, co-creation, and action! Each lab will reference one or more of BRIDGE’s New Pathways 2020 Talks.
How Talks and Action Labs Work
In alignment with BRIDGE’s mission of advancing equity and justice and promoting mutual understanding and acceptance, all New Pathways Talks are free and accessible to all and will remain so. New Pathways Labs are an additional BRIDGE offering (pricing below), 50% of the proceeds of which we will use to provide direct support to our community members.
In these two-hour Labs, we will share practical ideas and tools and make space for small breakout sessions. These Labs are opportunities to engage more deeply with the material in our New Pathways Talks and interact with other participants. The core objective? Roll up your sleeves, dig in to deeper learning, and build an even larger professional network. Ultimately, our hope is that you will use these Labs to connect with each other and catalyze change while caring for yourselves, your workplaces, and your communities!
Sponsorship Opportunities
We enthusiastically invite and welcome you to make a donation in support of this unique and timely program. Donate your financial resources (or your resources of time and skills) and send us your logo or names as you would like to be listed as a sponsor! Contact adminsupport@multiculturalbridge.org for questions.
Where does your support go? To date, we have made four deliveries to 75 unique families totaling 247 people. We’ve provided masks, cleaning and hygiene related supplies, gas, food, pharmacy items, gift cards, hot meals, fresh farm meat and veggies, food, etc. 90% of the families we’ve served are Black and Brown families, and all are exponentially “vulnerable” in this pandemic! We make a point to continue to support our local businesses, farmers, etc. and prioritize women-, queer- and POC-owned, led, and run businesses! We will continue to support our community in this way, bridging the gap to support them, listening to and working alongside our community members who know best what they need. Also, we are grateful to the continued support to make the New Pathways Talks accessible to all working and living in organizations and communities~ we aim to nourish and honor the humanity of each person first so they can contribute their best work in order for us all to thrive!
Registration details coming soon! Sign up here for more info.
New Pathways Labs: 9 Sessions + 2 (Bonus) Action Labs
BRIDGE Members: $25/session ($225)
Non-members $30 per session ($270)
*IDEA institute: Train-the-trainer registrants: contact BRIDGE for registration codes for New Pathways (limit two per organization). Train-the-trainer sessions begin with Cultural Competence Foundations on May 19th: Tuesdays 10:30-12:30. Register here for your Zoom Meeting Link.
How Talks and Action Labs Work
In alignment with BRIDGE’s mission of advancing equity and justice and promoting mutual understanding and acceptance, all New Pathways Talks are free and accessible to all and will remain so. New Pathways Labs are an additional BRIDGE offering (pricing below), 50% of the proceeds of which we will use to provide direct support to our community members.
In these two-hour Labs, we will share practical ideas and tools and make space for small breakout sessions. These Labs are opportunities to engage more deeply with the material in our New Pathways Talks and interact with other participants. The core objective? Roll up your sleeves, dig in to deeper learning, and build an even larger professional network. Ultimately, our hope is that you will use these Labs to connect with each other and catalyze change while caring for yourselves, your workplaces, and your communities!
Sponsorship Opportunities
We enthusiastically invite and welcome you to make a donation in support of this unique and timely program. Donate your financial resources (or your resources of time and skills) and send us your logo or names as you would like to be listed as a sponsor! Contact adminsupport@multiculturalbridge.org for questions.
Where does your support go? To date, we have made four deliveries to 75 unique families totaling 247 people. We’ve provided masks, cleaning and hygiene related supplies, gas, food, pharmacy items, gift cards, hot meals, fresh farm meat and veggies, food, etc. 90% of the families we’ve served are Black and Brown families, and all are exponentially “vulnerable” in this pandemic! We make a point to continue to support our local businesses, farmers, etc. and prioritize women-, queer- and POC-owned, led, and run businesses! We will continue to support our community in this way, bridging the gap to support them, listening to and working alongside our community members who know best what they need. Also, we are grateful to the continued support to make the New Pathways Talks accessible to all working and living in organizations and communities~ we aim to nourish and honor the humanity of each person first so they can contribute their best work in order for us all to thrive!
Registration details coming soon! Sign up here for more info.
New Pathways Labs: 9 Sessions + 2 (Bonus) Action Labs
BRIDGE Members: $25/session ($225)
Non-members $30 per session ($270)
*IDEA institute: Train-the-trainer registrants: contact BRIDGE for registration codes for New Pathways (limit two per organization). Train-the-trainer sessions begin with Cultural Competence Foundations on May 19th: Tuesdays 10:30-12:30. Register here for your Zoom Meeting Link.
Sponsors And Collaborators
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Sponsors
Pumpkin Foundation Moonlight Mile Fund Berkshire COVID Response (United Way & Taconic Community Foundation) MCLA (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts) Josie Greene/Crane Foundation The 22 Fund we are enough. |
Collaborators
Aseante Renee Outpost Studios Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office Black Economic Council Schumacher Center for New Economics CHP Berkshire Bank Greylock Federal Credit Union Journey Dance Willow Investment for Loving Change Woven Roots Farm |
