8:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast
Registration
Networking Breakfast
Save the Date!
A second year of workshops returns
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Equity in the 413: Western Massachusetts Racial Equity Summit is a convening to support relationship building across several industry areas. This call-to-action helps attendees from our region align our efforts to advance racial equity in workplaces and organizations across western Massachusetts.
In 2023, nearly 400 attendees joined us for Equity in the 413 to participate in more than a dozen workshops offered on advancing racial equity in workplaces across industry areas. For 2025, we’re excited to offer more workshops and self-care opportunities. Be sure to check back here regularly for updates and to register for our next Summit at Westfield State University on June 12, 2025!
At the Summit you will:
- Learn how to analyze and incorporate data in an asset-based framework to understand how racial inequity is impacting our region and drive our efforts to support advancing racial equity.
- Learn how to create talent acquisition and employee engagement plans that increase diversity in your workforce while building equitable practices across the employee life cycle in an inclusive culture.
- Learn how to develop and enact internal policies and practices that can be changed to support people in moving along a continuum of equitable practices.
- Learn lessons from leaders who have begun to advance racial equity in their organizations.
Summit Photos
Gratitude to our 2023 Summit facilitators!
Thank you to our dedicated facilitators for being part of this transformative journey. Your guidance through thought-provoking discussions made this inaugural summit an extraordinary experience and a success.
We’re not done yet! Stay tuned for future opportunities.
2023 Summit Agenda
Click on each agenda item for detailed information.
9:00 AM | Welcome and Opening Sessions
Welcome
Briana Wales-Thaxton, Vice President for People and Culture, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Opening Session
Behavioral Health Network
Steve Winn, President and CEO
P. Natasha Mitchell, M.Ed., MFT, LMHC – Social Justice Community Engagement
Moderated by Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts
10:00 AM | Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Dayna Campbell, Assistant Professor at American International College in the School of Health Sciences, Public Health and Executive Leader for Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Wanda Givens, Member, Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Jessica Collins, Executive Director, Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts
Angelina Ramirez, CEO, Stavros
Jaymie R. Zapata, Senior Planner- Public Health, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
10:30 AM | Concurrent Workshop/Presentation Sessions I
- Root Causes: Community Level Connections: Engaging Rural Communities in Discussions Around
Racial Equity: From Cultural Humility to Accountability
Mahagony Room
Debbie DiStefano, Ph.D., Chief People and Equity Officer Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc.
Jenise Katalina, MSW, LICSW, Executive Leader and Vice President of the Board for the Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Joan Griswold, Rural Heath Project Manager, Hilltown CDC - Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Highland Room
National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
Nyaunu Stevens, Director of Programs
Sandra Vonniessen-Applebee, Director of Operations - Structural Inclusion: Baystate Health’s Approach to Advancing Equity and Reducing Bias in the Workplace
Worthy Room
Baystate Health
Jennifer Faulkner, MSHC, Vice President, Team Member Experience and Talent Management
Tyonne D. Hinson, DrPH, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Kara Rose Wolf, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant - Courageous Leadership: Empowering Equitable Practices Within Organizations
Charles Room
Wilbert Weche, Willful Change, LLC - Raising Consciousness and Making Connections: A Model for Challenging Institutional Power
King Edward Room
Andre Lynch, Owner/Executive of AMPLE Consulting, LLC, serves as Director for DEI at BART Charter Public School
Kerri Leyda Nicoll, MSW, MDiv, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA)
Michael Obasohan, M.Ed, Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), City of Pittsfield - Cultivating Inclusive Workplace Culture – Leading with Curiosity
King George Room
Lynn Turner, Owner, Core XP Solutions - Moving Away from Palatable Diversity
Stonehaven Room
Tanisha Arena, Arise for Social Justice - Linguistic Bias, 25 Common Phrases
Kilkenny Room
Traci Talbert Racial Justice Community Engagement Leader, Franklin County CDC - Fostering a Culture of Inclusion: Innovative Approaches to Racial Equity and Mental Well-Being
Waterford Room
Shawniel Chamanlal, LCSW, Healing Springs Wellness, LLC
11:30 AM | Concurrent Workshop/Presentation Sessions II
- Starting Root Cause Discussions in Rural Communities – A Systems Approach
Mahagony Room
Debbie DiStefano, PhD, Chief People and Equity Officer, Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc.
Becky Basch, MA, Senior Planner, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Alex Nelson, Network Coordinator, Outer Cape Community Solutions
Emily Beebe, Health and Conservation Agent, Town of Truro
Elen Camara, Latino Community Ambassador, Outer Cape Community Solutions - Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Highland Room
Nyaunu Stevens, Director of Programs, National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
Sandra Vonniessen-Applebee, Director of Operations, National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) - Self-Fullness…Practices for Sustainability
Worthy Room
Dr. Latoya Bosworth, Got H.E.R.S.? - Bridging the Access Barrier: A Community Health Center-led Workforce Equity & Learning Model
Charles Room
Caring Health Center
Tania M. Barber, M.B.A., President and CEO
Dr. Yedalis Ruiz, Ph.D., M.Ed., Chief Access and Equity Officer and Executive Director of the Tania M. Barber Learning Institute
Johanna DeBari, Director of Workforce Equity and Training - Caring Enough to Make a Lasting Impact – A shift to empathetic leadership can create a lasting impact on your organization
King Edward Room
LaTonia Monroe Naylor, Monroe Naylor Consulting - Fostering Equity Through Data to Action
King George Room
Public Health of Western Massachusetts
Kathleen Szegda, PhD, MPH, MS, Sr. Director of Research and Evaluation
Victoria Hill, Data and Equity Manager - Undoing White Supremacy and Fostering Joy in the Workplace
Stonehaven Room
Ysabel Garcia, Estoy Aqui LLC
JAC Patrissi, Growing a New Heart
Tanisha Arena, Growing a New Heart - At the Kitchen Table
Kilkenny Room
Vonetta Lightfoot, Lower Pioneer Valley Education Collaborative
James H Lightfoot III - The part that people don’t like…Institutional Accountability
Waterford Room
Jenise Katalina, MSW, LICSW, Executive Leader and Vice President of the Board for the Women of Color Health Equity Collective
12:30 PM | Lunch
1:30 PM | Concurrent Workshop/Presentation Sessions III
- Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Mahagony Room
Lisa Ranghelli, Director Capacity Building and Assessments, Public Health Institute of Western MA
Jenise Katalina, MSW, LICSW, Executive Leader and Vice President of the Board for the Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Wanda Givens, Member, Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Angelina Ramirez, CEO, Stavros - Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Highland Room
National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
Nyaunu Stevens, Director of Programs
Sandra Vonniessen-Applebee, Director of Operations - Self-Fullness…Practices for Sustainability
Worthy Room
Dr. Layota Bosworth, Got H.E.R.S.? - Courageous Leadership: Empowering Equitable Practices Within Organizations
Charles Room
Wilbert Weche, Willful Change, LLC - Raising Consciousness and Making Connections: A Model for Challenging Institutional Power
King Edward Room
Andre Lynch, Owner/Executive of AMPLE Consulting, LLC, serves as Director for DEI at BART Charter Public School
Kerri Leyda Nicoll, MSW, MDiv, PhD, Associate Professor of Social Work at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA)
Michael Obasohan, M.Ed, Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), City of Pittsfield - Fostering a Culture of Inclusion: Innovative Approaches to Racial Equity and Mental Well-Being
King George Room
Shawniel Chamanlal, LCSW, Healing Springs Wellness, LLC - Moving Away from Palatable Diversity
Stonehaven Room
Tanisha Arena, Arise for Social Justice - Sound Meditation: Sound Healing and Inner Cleansing
Kilkenny Room
Maria Del Carmen, Sound Healer, SoulCare Love, LLC
2:30 PM | Concurrent Workshop/Presentation Sessions IV
- Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Mahagony Room
Lisa Ranghelli, Director Capacity Building and Assessments, Public Health Institute of Western MA
Jenise Katalina, MSW, LICSW, Executive Leader and Vice President of the Board for the Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Wanda Givens, Member, Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Angelina Ramirez, CEO, Stavros - Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Highland Room
National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
Nyaunu Stevens, Director of Programs
Sandra Vonniessen-Applebee, Director of Operations - Operationalizing Social Justice Within Organizations: Moving Beyond Just Diversity & Inclusion – A Panel Discussion
Worthy Room
Behavioral Health Network
Dr. Audrey Murph-Brown, Ed D, Professional Development Director
Pallavi Bandalli, Business Analyst
Sarah Mixter, Program Director
Natasha Mitchell, LICSW, Social Justice Coordinator
Marco Hernandez Rodriguez, Corporate Investigator
Jane Simonds, Senior Program Manager
Lauren Favorite, Social Justice Director - Designing for Equity: From Startup to Growth-For Us, By Us, With Us
Charles Room
Teach Western Mass
Pema Latshang, Founding Executive Director
Melissa Grandison, Director of Residency - Caring Enough to Make a Lasting Impact – A shift to empathetic leadership can create a lasting impact on your organization
King Edward Room
LaTonia Monroe Naylor, Monroe Naylor Consulting - How to get Started, A Roadmap for DEIB
King George Room
Health New England
Vivian Williams, MHA, LSW, Manager, Care Management
Katie Bruno, MPH, Public Health and Wellness Program Manager - Moving Away from Palatable Diversity
Stonehaven Room
Tanisha Arena, Arise for Social Justice - Sound Meditation: Sound Healing and Inner Cleansing
Kilkenny Room
Maria Del Carmen, Sound Healer, SoulCare Love, LLC - Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Waterford Room
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Nigel Greaves, Director of Development
Jeffery Markham, Jr., Program Officer for Community Impact and Partnerships
Shannon Gurek, Vice President for Finance and Operations
Briana Wales-Thaxton, Vice President for People and Culture
3:30 PM | Closing Remarks
Taking Action in our Spheres of Influence
Briana Wales-Thaxton, Vice President for People and Culture, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Concluding Remarks
Paul Murphy, Trustee Chair, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
4:00 PM | Networking and Cocktails
Networking and Cocktails
Cash bar and treats
Social Justice Jeopardy with National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
5:00 PM | Adjourn and Move to Symphony Hall
Public Forum Event at Symphony Hall
Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America
Heather Cox Richardson
Historian, Author, and Podcast Cohost of Now & Then
This event is free to all with no tickets required. Doors will open at 5pm.
Additional parking information: There is on-street metered parking, free parking at MGM Springfield two blocks away, or a parking garage right next to Springfield Symphony Hall under I-91 at 1620 E. Columbus Ave, Springfield. If you park in the garage under I-91, you can receive $2 parking. Simply pay for your parking in the lobby of Symphony Hall at the event. Cash only and exact change appreciated.
Heather Cox Richardson is Professor of History at Boston College. She has written about the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, and the American West in award-winning books whose subjects stretch from the European settlement of the North American continent to the history of the Republican Party through the Trump administration. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times, and The Guardian, among other outlets.
Questions? Please email Briana Wales-Thaxton, Vice President for People and Culture at the Community Foundation.
2023 Session Presenters
President and CEO
Behavioral Health Network
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Opening Remarks
Executive Director
Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Opening Remarks
Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Social Justice Community Engagement
Behavioral Health Network
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Opening Remarks
Assistant Professor, American International College, School of Health Sciences, Public Health
Executive Leader, Women of Color Health Equity Collective
External Systems Session(s):
Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Member
Women of Color Health Equity Collective
External Systems Session(s):
Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
CEO
Stavros
External Systems Session(s):
Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Vice
President of the Board of Directors and Executive Leader
Women of Color Health Equity Collective
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Designing for Equity: From Startup to Growth-For Us, By Us, With Us
Chief People and Equity Officer
Hilltown Community Health Center
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Root Causes: Community Level Connections
Engaging Rural Communities in Discussions Around Racial Equity: From Cultural Humility to Accountability
Speaker, Trainer, Empowering Coach
Willful Change, LLC
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Courageous Leadership: Empowering Equitable Practices Within Organizations
Director of Programs
National Conference for Community and Justice
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Director of Operations
National Conference for Community and Justice
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Chief Access and Equity Officer and Executive Director of the Tania M. Barber Learning Institute
Caring Health Center
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Bridging the Access Barrier: A Community Health Center-led Workforce Equity & Learning Model
President/CEO
Caring Health Center
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Bridging the Access Barrier: A Community Health Center-led Workforce Equity & Learning Model
Director of Workforce Equity and Training
Caring Health Center
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Bridging the Access Barrier: A Community Health Center-led Workforce Equity & Learning Model
Director, Land Use and Environment
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
External Systems Session(s):
Starting Root Cause Discussions in Rural Communities – A Systems Approach
Network Coordinator
Outer Cape Community Solutions
External Systems Session(s):
Starting Root Cause Discussions in Rural Communities – A Systems Approach
Chief Diversity Officer
City of Pittsfield
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Raising Consciousness and Making Connections: A Model for Challenging Institutional Power
Owner and Executive of AMPLE Consulting, LLC and
Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
BART Charter Public School
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Raising Consciousness and Making Connections: A Model for Challenging Institutional Power
Associate Professor of Social Work
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Raising Consciousness and Making Connections: A Model for Challenging Institutional Power
Executive Director
Arise for Social Justice
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Moving Past Palatable Diversity
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Undoing White Supremacy and Fostering Joy in the Workplace
Business Coach, Facilitator, and People Analyst
CORE XP Business Solutions
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Cultivating Inclusive Workplace Culture: Leading with Curiosity
Director Capacity Building and Assessments
Public Health Institute of Western MA
External Systems Session(s):
Fostering Equity Through Data to Action
Sr. Director of Research and Evaluation
Public Health Institute of Western MA
External Systems Session(s):
Fostering Equity Through Data to Action
Data and Equity Manager
Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts
External Systems Session(s):
Fostering Equity through Data to Action
Racial Justice Community Engagement Leader
Franklin County Community Development Corporation
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Linguistic Bias, 25 Common Phrases
Founder, Upstream Suicide Prevention Educator
Estoy Aqui LLC
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Undoing White Supremacy and Fostering Joy in the Workplace
Founder and Principal
Growing a New Heart
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Undoing White Supremacy and Fostering Joy in the Workplace
Certified Sound Healer, Practitioner of Sound Therapies, Practitioner of Vibrational Therapies, and Co-founder of
SoulCare Love LLC
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Sound Meditation: Sound Healing and Inner Cleansing
Social Worker and the visionary Founder and CEO
Healing Springs Wellness Center
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Fostering a Culture of Inclusion: Innovative Approaches to Racial Equity and Mental Well-being
Entrepreneur
Monroe Naylor Consulting
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Caring Enough to Make a Lasting Impact – A shift to empathetic leadership can create a lasting impact on your organization
Executive Director
Teach Western Mass
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Designing for Equity: From Startup to Growth-For Us, By Us, With Us
Life Coach
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Self-Fullness… Practices for Sustainability
Program Officer
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Health Educator
Be Your Best Health Promotion Services
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Root Causes: Community Level Connections
Engaging Rural Communities in Discussions Around Racial Equity: From Cultural Humility to Accountability
Director of Development
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Director of Residency
Teach Western Mass
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Designing for Equity: From Startup to Growth-For Us, By Us, With Us
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Coordinator
Lower Pioneer Valley Education Collaborative
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
At the Kitchen Table: Courageous Leadership and Equitable Practices Through Partnership and Collaboration
Education and Organization Leader; Youth Advocate
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
At the Kitchen Table: Courageous Leadership and Equitable Practices Through Partnership and Collaboration
Manager, Care Management
Health New England
Workplace Culture Session(s):
How to get started roadmap for DEIB
Vice President of Employee Benefits
Hub International
Workplace Culture Session(s):
Public Health and Wellness Program Manager
Health New England
Workplace Culture Session(s):
How to get started roadmap for DEIB
Vice President for Finance and Operations
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Vice President for People and Culture
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Organizational Impact Session(s):
Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Taking Action in our Spheres of Influence
Trustee Chair
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts:
Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Concluding Remarks
Organizing Partners
Community Partners
Together we amplify the impact in our community. We know that all interested partners do not have equal ability to support the advancement of this important work, but we know that all contributions are valuable and that all potential partners are invested in the work of advancing racial equity in our region. For this reason, we are asking that you to reconsider how we view traditional sponsorship opportunities rooted in hierarchy in a way that celebrates support based on the dollar amounts that a partner contributes and shift to a community partner model to support the conference at a level that your organization is able.
Our goal is to raise $80,000 from our community partners. All community partners will receive 3 tickets to the Summit and have their logo on materials provided to participants on the day of the Summit including any PowerPoint presentations during the welcoming.
Want to learn more? Download the Community Partners packet here.
2023 Community Partners
