MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center produced an extensive slate of virtual programming, exhibitions, and discussions this academic year, all focused on using art as a catalyst for advocacy and a deeper understanding of current social issues like immigration, racism, and public health.
The NAACP Berkshire County branch will be hosting its annual Freedom Fund awards event virtually at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, via Zoom.
The yearly event raises funds to provide stipends to students of color in Berkshire County that are planning on attending college or trade school the following year. Last year, 10 students received stipends in the amounts of $500 or $1,000.
This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affecting Black communities and communities of color, the local branch has set a goal of $25,000 with the hope of increased stipends of up to $1,500 per student, benefitting up to 20 Berkshire County students.
During this annual ceremony, the local branch of the NAACP will present three community leaders with awards. Rachel Fletcher will receive the W.E.B. Du Bois Freedom Award, Sandra Burton will receive the Baba Chuck Davis Freedom Award, and Lori Murphy will receive the Margaret Hart Freedom Award.
Taiwan Business TOPICS
Reflections on my over 50 years in Taiwan, including nearly two decades of service at AmCham.
It was 1969, the year of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing and the Woodstock Music Festival. Richard Nixon was in his first year as President of the United States, and “Watergate” referred merely to the office/apartment complex in downtown Washington DC.
As part of a Columbia University graduate program in journalism and East Asian studies, I headed that fall for Taiwan, with stops first in Japan and Hong Kong. The plan was to spend a year serving as part-time correspondent for The New York Times while continuing the Chinese-language studies I had started on campus.