Save the Date!

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:

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.

8:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast

Registration
Networking Breakfast

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

Steven Winn
President and CEO
Behavioral Health Network

Courageous Leadership Session(s):

Opening Remarks
Jessica Collins
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
P. Natasha Mitchell, M.Ed., MFT, LMHC
Social Justice Community Engagement
Behavioral Health Network

Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Opening Remarks
Dayna Campbell
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
Wanda Givens
Member
Women of Color Health Equity Collective

External Systems Session(s):
Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Angelina Ramirez
CEO
Stavros

External Systems Session(s):
Developing a Capacity Building and Racial Equity Model for Western Mass
Jenise Katalina
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
Debbie DiStephano, PhD
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
Wilbert Weche
Speaker, Trainer, Empowering Coach
Willful Change, LLC

Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Courageous Leadership: Empowering Equitable Practices Within Organizations
Nyaunu Stevens
Director of Programs
National Conference for Community and Justice

Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Sandra Vonniessen-Applebee
Director of Operations
National Conference for Community and Justice

Courageous Leadership Session(s):
Talk the Talk: Engaging in Effective Conversations Around Identity
Dr. Yedalis Ruíz, PhD, M.Ed.
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
Tania M. Barber, M.B.A.
President/CEO
Caring Health Center

Organizational Impact Session(s):
Bridging the Access Barrier: A Community Health Center-led Workforce Equity & Learning Model
Johanna DeBari, M.A.
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
Catherine Ratte
Director, Land Use and Environment
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission

External Systems Session(s):
Starting Root Cause Discussions in Rural Communities – A Systems Approach
Alex Nelson
Network Coordinator
Outer Cape Community Solutions

External Systems Session(s):
Starting Root Cause Discussions in Rural Communities – A Systems Approach
Michael Obasohan
Chief Diversity Officer
City of Pittsfield

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Raising Consciousness and Making Connections: A Model for Challenging Institutional Power
André Lynch
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
Kerri Leyda Nicoll (she/her), MSW, MDiv, PhD
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
Tanisha Arena
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
Lynn Whitney Turner
Business Coach, Facilitator, and People Analyst
CORE XP Business Solutions

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Cultivating Inclusive Workplace Culture: Leading with Curiosity
Lisa Ranghelli
Director Capacity Building and Assessments
Public Health Institute of Western MA

External Systems Session(s):
Fostering Equity Through Data to Action
Kathleen Szegda, PhD, MPH, MS
Sr. Director of Research and Evaluation
Public Health Institute of Western MA

External Systems Session(s):
Fostering Equity Through Data to Action
Victoria Hill, MPH
Data and Equity Manager
Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts

External Systems Session(s):
Fostering Equity through Data to Action
Traci Talbert
Racial Justice Community Engagement Leader
Franklin County Community Development Corporation

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Linguistic Bias, 25 Common Phrases
Ysabel Garcia
Founder, Upstream Suicide Prevention Educator
Estoy Aqui LLC

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Undoing White Supremacy and Fostering Joy in the Workplace
JAC Patrissi
Founder and Principal
Growing a New Heart

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Undoing White Supremacy and Fostering Joy in the Workplace
Maria del Carmen Rodriguez
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
Shawniel Chamanlal
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
LaTonia Monroe Naylor
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
Pema Latshang
Executive Director
Teach Western Mass

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Designing for Equity: From Startup to Growth-For Us, By Us, With Us
Dr. Latoya Bosworth
Life Coach

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Self-Fullness… Practices for Sustainability
Jeffery Markham Jr.
Program Officer
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Organizational Impact Session(s):
Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Joan Griswold
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
Nigel Greaves
Director of Development
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Organizational Impact Session(s):
Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Melisa Grandison
Director of Residency
Teach Western Mass

Workplace Culture Session(s):
Designing for Equity: From Startup to Growth-For Us, By Us, With Us
Vonnetta Lightfoot
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
James H. Lightfoot
Education and Organization Leader; Youth Advocate

Courageous Leadership Session(s):
At the Kitchen Table: Courageous Leadership and Equitable Practices Through Partnership and Collaboration
Vivian Williams, MHA, LSW
Manager, Care Management
Health New England

Workplace Culture Session(s):
How to get started roadmap for DEIB
Valerie Francis
Vice President of Employee Benefits
Hub International

Workplace Culture Session(s):

Katie Bruno, MPH
Public Health and Wellness Program Manager
Health New England

Workplace Culture Session(s):
How to get started roadmap for DEIB
Shannon Gurek
Vice President for Finance and Operations
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Organizational Impact Session(s):
Building Equitable Philanthropic Practices
Briana Wales-Thaxton
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
Paul Murphy
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

Thank you for your Partnership.