PROCLAMATION CEREMONY HELD JULY 20 AT CITY HALL
(Pittsfield, MA) On Saturday, July 20th, led by Mayor Peter Marchetti, The City of Pittsfield honored Barrington Stage Company’s annual community engagement arts festival, “Celebration of Black Voices,” with an Official Proclamation* (below) ceremony declaring August 4-10, 2024 as “Celebration of Black Voices Week in the City of Pittsfield.” The Proclamation took place at City Hall as part of recognizing “Negro Election Day” – an official state holiday.
The afternoon featured an Official Proclamation Ceremony, a flag raising of the Negro flag, guest speakers, Celebration of Black Voices performers, and food for purchase from local eatery “BB’s HotSpot” food truck. The ceremony was free and open to the community.
In 2020 Director of Community Engagement/DEIA Sharron Frazier-McClain created an initiative through Barrington Stage Company to support and encourage Black community members by offering a platform for creativity and self-expression in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Mayor Peter Marchetti with BSC’s Director of Community Engagement/DEIA Sharron Frazier-McClain (holding the Proclamation) and members of Celebration of Black Voices performers. Photo credit: Jeremy Brisiel
In August of 2021, the First Annual Celebration of Black Voices Festival took place in Pittsfield, MA. This celebration gave a voice to local Black Artists and community members to participate in six free events over the course of four days, amplifying Black voices through performing arts, building community and Pride in being Black in the Berkshires.
For the past four years, the festival has taken place every August and has featured a variety of events: talent shows for youth and adults, a youth ensemble supported by a day camp, poetry slams, gospel concerts, and community created devised theater pieces.
This year’s Celebration of Black Voices will take place August 8-11 and feature stand-up comedy, local band “Sample the Cat”, a poetry showcase, a youth ensemble camp and production, a talent showcase, a gospel choir performance, and a devised theater piece. All events feature Black community members of Berkshire County.
The festival is produced by Sharron Frazier-McClain and Melle Powers (Principal – The Make Good Project and Powerful Communications). Directed by Sabrina Francis, with Music Direction by Gary Mitchell, Jr. Chynna Williams is the Teaching Artist. CBV partners with Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health to bring an African American Yogi to the Youth Ensemble to teach Mindfulness as a tool for regulation and creative expression as part of the camp curriculum. Special thanks to the Tartell Family for the Pavilion and performance stage since 2020.
Members of the Youth Voices Ensemble are Theo Brisiel, Tula Brisiel, Kiara Burston, Mecca McClain, Mekhi McClain, Lynniesha Mayes, Karalin Melendez, Alivia Melville, Ena Parchment, Spencer-Mathias Reed, Nolan Reynolds and Gloria Williams.
For more details about “Celebration of Black Voices” contact Sharron Frazier-McClain at 413-997-6118 or at sfraziermcclain@barringtonstageco.org.
*WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted S.2703, An Act establishing the third Saturday in July as Negro Election Day. This legislation designates Negro Election Day as an official state holiday and commemorates the rich history of civic engagement and involvement among Massachusetts’ Black communities. To honor this day, the City of Pittsfield will recognize it as the Celebration of Black Voices Week.
WHEREAS, in 2020 Sharron Frazier-McClain created an initiative through Barrington Stage Company to Support and Encourage Black Community Members by offering a platform for black creativity and self-expression in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
WHEREAS, in August of 2020, the First Annual Celebration of Black Voices Festival took place in Pittsfield, MA. This celebration gave a voice to local Black Artists and Community members to produce six free events over the course of four days amplifying Black voices through performing arts, building community and Pride in being Black in the Berkshires.
WHEREAS, for the past four years this community building event served as a tool to highlight Black Education, Celebration and Empowerment to build confidence and leadership in the Black community. This gives a platform for professionals to show up as their authentic selves and owners of their own story.
WHEREAS, Barrington Stage Company has been utilizing its many resources in support of the Black Community, leading by example in what it means to acknowledge systemic racism and barriers for Black Artists. By breaking down barriers of engagement and addressing the “gatekeeping” that many Black artists experience.
THEREFORE, I, Peter Marchetti, Mayor, do hereby proclaim July 20, 2024, as Celebration of Black Voices Week in the City of Pittsfield, and encourage all citizens to join in celebrating this by participating in events and activities that brings awareness to our own Black Artist and leaders in our community.