April 25, 2024
MCLA’s Black Student Union (BSU) will hold its first professional development summit at Gallery 51 on April 27 from 1 to 6 p.m. to promote engagement, wellness, and leadership within the black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) community. This event is free and open to the public, regional college students, and Berkshire residents and youth.
The summit will feature presentations by Margareth Ngueza Antonio, author and poet, Hadi Bah, real estate investor, and Ruby Maddox, purpose coach. The central focus is to create a space where individuals can connect, support one another, and share their experiences navigating the intricacies of managing and running clubs and organizations on our respective campuses. This event will hold space for all students and community members to engage, learn, and connect through artists and creative educators of color and interact with various speakers and artists through hands-on sessions.
Event organizer and BSU President Salimatu Bah ‘24 said the birth of the summit stemmed from the lack of collaboration between BIPOC groups in the region and a sense of disconnect.
“Although attending school in the Berkshires can sometimes feel isolating, it becomes so much better when you can network and make connections,” Bah said. “I'm driven by a desire to illuminate the many opportunities the Berkshires might hold if students don’t know about them already.”
Bah said the event planning gained momentum as she contemplated the post-pandemic landscape where student-led clubs have faced challenges maintaining activity.
“The vision turned into facilitating a space where different school clubs could engage in dialogue, addressing issues both on campus and in the broader world,” she said.
The day-long event begins at 1 p.m. with workshops from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., followed by lunch and networking, and a third workshop at 3:30 p.m.
Margareth Ngueza Antonio, an author, a doula, and a sexual assault advocate, will hold an engagement and mental health-themed poetry workshop, where she will talk about healing through writing and fostering belonging at a predominantly white institution (PWI).
Ruby Maddox, a purpose coach, will host her ‘Direct Your Purpose’ workshop, for personal leadership and success strategy. Her sessions “provide organizations with a unique opportunity to align their team's purpose, values, and goals. These sessions can help you clarify your vision and create an actionable plan for your team or organization. Team members can build stronger relationships, identify shared values, and develop a deep understanding of their team's purpose.”
Entrepreneur Hadi B will host a wealth-building and financial sustainability Q&A.
This event is sponsored by Mass. Cultural Council, MCLA Alumni Association, MCLA Multicultural Center, MCLA BSU, MCLA English Department, and the Undergraduate Minigrant.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA
is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully
empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 129-year commitment
to public education, we have fortified our commitment to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News’ list of Top Ten Public Colleges for nine consecutive
years, ranking No. 7 for Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for a third year. The
College's continued commitment to affordable education and economic prosperity is
reflected in its inclusion on U.S. News' list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for
Social Mobility since the organization adopted this ranking in 2019; MCLA is No. 1
in the state, No. 2 in the country, and No. 22 for National Liberal Arts Colleges.
These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell
Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
