https://theberkshireedge.com/a-celebration-of-humanity-faith-and-the-power-of-community-multicultural-bridge-and-other-organizations-honor-martin-luther-king-jr/

​
Great Barrington -- Multiple Berkshire County events celebrated the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. from Friday, January 17, through Monday, January 20.

The majority of the events commemorating King were organized by Multicultural BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups through Education). Founded by Gwendolyn VanSant, who now serves as its CEO, the organization’s mission is to advance “equity and justice by promoting cultural competence, positive psychology, and mutual understanding and acceptance. The organization acts as a catalyst for change through collaboration, education, training, dialogue, fellowship, and advocacy.”
The events included a church service at Macedonia Baptist Church on Sunday, January 18.
On Monday, January 19, a public reading of King’s speech honoring W.E.B. Du Bois was held in front of the Du Bois sculpture at the Mason Library in Great Barrington.

Participants in the public reading of King’s speech honoring W.E.B. Du Bois held in front of the Du Bois sculpture at the Mason Library in Great Barrington on Jan. 19. Photos courtesy of Multicultural BRIDGE.BRIDGE also organized a Day of Service featuring multiple community projects in King’s honor throughout Great Barrington on January 19. In one such project, volunteers painted Macedonia Baptist Church.

Volunteers help to paint Macedonia Baptist Church as part of the Day of Service honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Monday, Jan. 19. Photos courtesy of Multicultural BRIDGE.Meanwhile, student volunteers from Buxton School in Williamstown helped Multicultural BRIDGE sort books from the organization’s Solidarity Library. According to Multicultural BRIDGE CEO Gwendolyn VanSant, over 800 books, including many on historical civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and W.E.B. Du Bois, have been donated to the organization’s library. Students also created posters based on King’s speeches.

Student volunteers from Buxton School in Williamstown help sort books donated to BRIDGE’s Solidarity Library and create posters based on King’s speeches. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.

Some of the posters created by student volunteers from Buxton School. Photo courtesy of Multicultural BRIDGE.“This is a really important weekend, because Dr. King talked about creating a ‘Beloved Community,’” VanSant told The Berkshire Edge. “BRIDGE is really about creating a beloved community through our solidarity projects. It’s really important to me, as a civil rights leader, to bring people together to have conversations about their freedoms and what it means to be safe in a community. It’s important for me to see young people feeling like they can be involved and make a difference in communities.”
VanSant said she hopes Dr. King’s work will continue to inspire future generations. “I am inspired by him to work hard, to work humbly, and to be a leader in whatever way that you can,” she said. “I am also inspired by him to fight injustice and to do what it takes in a way that doesn’t harm other people, and really stand for justice.”

State Rep. Leigh Davis (D – 3rd Berkshire District) speaking at the church service commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Sunday, Jan. 18. Photo courtesy of Multicultural BRIDGE.“On Martin Luther King’s birthday, I take a lot of pride in his work, but I also realize that his work has not finished,” said State Rep. Leigh Davis (D – 3rd Berkshire District). “We’ve come very far, but we have to remind ourselves that it’s really the strength of the community that will pull us through the hard times. This is a hard time, but the pendulum, I believe, will swing back in the right direction. We have to pull together as a community to help the most vulnerable and each other.”
Davis said she hopes people will learn about “humanity, faith, and the power of community” through King’s work.
BRIDGE Board member Veronica Fenton said she hopes King’s work will teach people about how to lift up marginalized voices, especially those voices fighting for justice and freedom. “We always are learning about how we need to learn about our true history,” she said. “We need to learn about the history of our leaders and education, along with the contributions of people from all walks of life. Unfortunately, we often have systems that are trying to silence these voices. In 2026, now more than ever, we need to keep fighting for justice and freedom.”

GREAT BARRINGTON — Multicultural Bridge is among 11 civil rights and community groups suing the U.S. Department of Justice to stop what they call the unlawful dismantling of a federal office that mediates racial and community conflicts.
The Trump administration has escalated efforts over the past year to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. These include breaking apart the Community Relations Service, which works with local governments, law enforcement agencies and community organizations to resolve racial conflicts and prevent hate-related violence, largely without publicity. 
Over the last 15 years, Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education, known as Bridge, has relied on the federal agency for different initiatives and training for conflict resolution, Gwendolyn VanSant, executive director of Multicultural Bridge, said.
At a ribbon-cutting at Multicultural Bridge's new Solidarity Meeting House in Great Barrington in May, co-founder and CEO Gwendolyn VanSant and Macedonia Baptist Church Pastor Mattie Conway celebrate with other guests. The organization joined 11 civil rights and community groups that are suing the U.S. Department of Justice.
THE BERKSHIRE EAGLEMost recently, Bridge partnered with CRS for a program at W.E.B. Du Bois Middle School. But when the organization requested support for a similar program in Stockbridge, the government agency declined because of the agency’s “winddown.”
“We've always partnered with the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division,” VanSant said. “They've been our guides. They've trained us. Sometimes in a rural community, the relationships are too close, so it's good to have the objective outsider.”
THE PLAINTIFFSMulticultural Bridge is among 11 civil rights and community groups suing the U.S. Department of Justice. Here is a list of the plaintiffs:

• Ethical Society of Police
• NAACP St. Louis County
• Missionary Baptist State Convention of Missouri
• Two Wrasslin’ Cats Accord
• Out Accountability Project
• Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education (BRIDGE)
• NAACP State Conference Colorado-Montana-Wyoming
• Peacemakers Lodge
• Pikes Peak Southern Christian Leadership Conference 1
• Wellspring Health Access
• Haitian Community Help & Support Center

Bridge is one of 11 plaintiffs for whom the Washington Litigation Group filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. It asked the court to force the government to reopen and staff the Community Relations Service agency while the case continues.
"This case concerns the Executive Branch's efforts to dismantle a congressionally-created civil rights agency and then rewrite history to hide the government's nakedly unlawful actions," the motion says.
The lawsuit states that every day the agency remains closed "directly undermines Bridge’s mission to reduce tension and promote constructive dialogue among youth." There are no alternative resources in Western Massachusetts that have the same experience and capacity to support Bridge's efforts, the lawsuit says.
The process to dissolve the agency started in March when Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche sent a memo that proposed eliminating the Community Relations Service and moving staff to the U.S. Attorney’s Offices. Throughout the spring, the agency stopped accepting new requests and withdrew from active mediation and conflict resolution services.
“All year, we have not been able to have that resource and they feel like Bridge is a trusted resource to them, too,” VanSant said. “But it's been a loss for us and for our community.”
In June, according to the lawsuit, the DOJ published a fiscal 2026 Budget and Performance Summary stating that the department would eliminate 56 positions and formally close all Community Relations Service offices by the end of the fiscal year, saying its peacekeeping mission did not align with the “Attorney General and Administration law enforcement and litigating priorities.”
In September, 14 of the 15 remaining active employees at the federal office received reduction-in-force notices that would go into effect Oct. 31. A continuing resolution was passed by Congress on Nov. 12 that funded the Community Relations Service through January and ordered that any reduction-in-force notices that went into effect after Oct. 1 be rescinded. But that didn’t happen and on Nov. 25, the motion for preliminary injunction was filed.
“By shutting down CRS unilaterally and unlawfully, the government has cut off critical support just when it is most needed,” Washington Litigation Group senior counsel Kyle R. Freeny said in a press release. “This motion is about restoring that support — and protecting the people who depend on it.”
Multicultural Bridge has lost significant funding because it is a civil rights organization focused on diversity, equity and inclusion — policies the Trump administration has said it does not support, VanSant said.
“It's been a really hard year,” Gwendolyn VanSant said of the Trump administration's attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and funding. “This is a call for all of us to be conscious and connected.”
Ben Garver“We were really impacted, so we very much identify with our constituents that we try to serve, because our organization itself was really impacted this year,” VanSant said. “And I think what's been our saving grace has been really involved, passionate, caring community members.”
Throughout the partnership, Bridge and CRS have leaned on each other, VanSant said.
“For us, it's a major issue, because we don't do easy work,” VanSant said. “It's been nice to have that partnership, and then for the whole country, this is a big loss.

Great Barrington -- Local nonprofit organization Multicultural BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education) capped off its year of programs and work with its Solstice Dinner on Saturday, December 20, at the organization’s Solidarity House.
Eighteen years after founder Gwendolyn VanSant started BRIDGE, the organization moved its programs to its new location at 965 Main Street. The nonprofit held a ribbon-cutting event in May.
The December 20 event included a dinner catered by Andre Lynch, owner and chef of Dre’s Global Kitchen in Pittsfield.
Andre Lynch, owner and chef of Dre’s Global Kitchen in Pittsfield, who catered Multicultural Bridge’s Solstice Dinner. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.At the event, storyteller and writer Amber Chand, who currently lives in Great Barrington, previewed stories from her forthcoming book “Tales of the Boatwoman” about her ancestors who came from India. “Through my storytelling, I am transporting people into a world that is based on my ancestors,” Chand told The Berkshire Edge before the event. “While my ancestors came from India, I was born in Africa. There was an entire journey that was taken by my family between coming from India to Africa.”
Chand clarified that while the first part of her book includes ancestral stories, “some of these stories are fictionalized in a sense, but they all have threads of fact.” “The power of my imagination took me into their past,” she said. “These are not memories because I wasn’t there in their lives, but I tried to imagine what their lives would be like.”

Amber Chand presents stories from her forthcoming book “Tales of the Boatwoman” at Multicultural BRIDGE’s Solidarity House. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.

The audience at the Dec. 20 event appears captivated by Chand’s storytelling. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.One of the stories Chand shared with the audience was titled “Wife Number Two.” “My grandfather eloped with my grandmother, but then he brought another wife into the marriage,” she said. “This story is quite evocative and will take you on a journey.”
Chand said she was honored to be asked to speak at Multicultural BRIDGE’s event. “I call Gwendolyn the queen because, really, she has created something from nothing through persistence, vision, and courage,” Chand said. “In this time that we’re living in that is so bewildering, this organization is a lighthouse, not a fortress. A lighthouse spreads its light into the community, and it is very steady in its mission. A fortress tries to protect itself, especially at times when things are intense and difficult.”

Multicultural BRIDGE founder Gwendolyn VanSant (foreground). Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.For more information about Multicultural BRIDGE and its programs, visit the organization’s website.
FOR THEIR ANNUAL REPORT: CLICK HERE https://www.canva.com/design/DAG7Imr3mIc/9Cma2CJb4el0CHqv50d9Cg/view?utm_content=DAG7Imr3mIc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h360ba72790

GREAT BARRINGTON — Earlier this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested several people in town, causing fear and outrage as masked and armed federal agents gave little information to those recording and questioned the officers.
The manner of the arrests and use of town property by ICE are prompting the Select Board to revisit the 2017 Trust Policy with the social justice group Multicultural Bridge to clarify protocols for interactions with federal agents and the use of town resources.
Select Board member Ben Elliott witnessed the May 6 arrest of two men in an apartment building and recorded what he was seeing. He said he would like clearly written policies to determine what town resources are available to federal agents and whether the town can legally prevent federal officers from using municipal property for staging operations, citing the use of Olympian Meadows field for staging a different raid in town.

BREAKINGMasked, armed ICE agents arrest two men in Great Barrington apartment building as witnesses taunt, shoot video

•  3 min to read

“It still lingers with me and that incident and the incidents that followed, as many feelings and as many fears as it raised, it also raised questions about exactly what is our policy and how we engage,” Elliott said.
The board voted to approve the review of the policy, with Garfield Reed voting as present, arguing he didn't see the need to do so.
The Trust Policy, a variation of a sanctuary town bylaw, bars the town from using resources to assist ICE without a warrant and aims to ensure residents are treated fairly.
“Given the political climate, there’s a need for a call for safety and trust building again,” Gwendolyn VanSant, executive director of Multicultural Bridge, said.
Unlike a largely symbolic sanctuary designation, the policy sets specific limits on cooperation with federal immigration authorities and is designed to build trust with immigrant residents by allowing victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear.
Though spotlighted this year by federal immigration actions, it is meant to protect all vulnerable populations, and VanSant hopes an updated version could serve as a model for other towns in the county.
“I’m very excited to be intentionally looking at the Trust Policy in these political times and updating it in general, because we have work that we wanted to continue, but also it’s what’s required right now because of the political climate,” VanSant said.
The policy is not meant to obstruct ICE when pursuing individuals with criminal charges, but the agency’s actions nationally and locally have left many feeling unsafe, VanSant said.“We’re not trying to obstruct the law in any way,” VanSant said. “We also feel like there’s a lot more safety at risk in the way that these things have gone down so far in our community.”
VanSant said residents have raised concerns about transparency and whether those targeted have criminal records.
“Many people feel like we are next? Where's the ‘law and order?’ and who's protecting us?” VanSant said.
Over the last few Select Board meetings, concerned citizens have spoken on behalf of Bridge to keep the conversation going and better inform the Select Board on the policy and what is being discussed during the Bridge meetings.
“The idea is it’s safer for everybody if the local police are doing what they’re intended to do. They're not enforcing immigration policy,” Erica Mielke said during a Nov. 17 Select Board meeting. “It’s about making it safer for everyone to feel that they can report being a witness to crimes. We hashed this all out in 2016 and at a town meeting in 2017.”
VanSant said she would like to bring back a citizen police academy, where residents learn about police work, decision-making and available resources.
“We always want people to develop mutual understanding and mutual respect,” VanSant said. “We can hold each other accountable. We don’t have to agree, but I do think everybody needs to understand where each person’s coming from and the Citizens Academy is really important to that.”
She said the academy would be one of the first steps in updating the Trust Policy.
“It's really an interesting course, and having an insight to what somebody else's job is, but especially one that can be under such scrutiny, it's important to be informed with what we're critiquing, what we're holding accountable and the baseline of real trust and relationships is the key,” VanSant said.
There were always things Bridge wanted to return to the policy for, but recent actions by the federal government have made it so that time is now.
“It's really important for people to understand that even people who are acting strange or sitting back or not engaging in programs, it's because of the fear of what feels unreasonable and unlawful and unsafe, not necessarily because there's some concern," VanSant said.
Bridge is a culturally specific public health organization concerned about rising fear among residents, VanSant said. It’s also concerning that the fear is causing families to be less trusting of the resources they need to be healthy.
“People that really don't even have any reason to feel scared, feel scared,” VanSant said. “People feel like 'they're coming after me next' or 'are they going to really take the time to understand who I am or what my situation is?' There’s just a lot of fear.”
VanSant hopes that the conversation will remain ongoing and adjust as the community needs.
“We’re taking a long, intentional road and building trust and rebuilding trust and safety, mutual understanding, partnerships that are respected and listening to community voices, but in ways that we don’t want to create more vulnerable members,” VanSant said.
Talia Lissauer can be reached at [email protected] and 413-496-6378.

Shaw Israel Izikson | Berkshire Edge

Great Barrington -- Multicultural BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education) celebrated its recent move to new headquarters on Thursday, May 22, with a ribbon-cutting event.

For much of its 18 years of operation, the organization, founded by Gwendolyn VanSant, operated from offices in Lee. For the past two years, the organization rented out a building at 965 Main Street.

In February, BRIDGE announced that it would move its programs to the building it calls the Solidarity House.

According to the organization’s website, Multicultural BRIDGE “connects vulnerable community members with key resources and networks, while also providing education to local institutions and the community at large.” The nonprofit organization offers multiple programs and community services.
​
“I’m very excited that we have this building, and it feels like this event is important for BRIDGE,” organization founder and CEO VanSant told The Berkshire Edge. “I’m happy for people seeing how the project has developed. We’ve had about three and a half months to be in this space and build out the different programs. For Multicultural BRIDGE, this building gives us a sense of stability and sustainability. It helps us provide services for our community and fulfill our mission.”

Heather Bellow | The Berkshire Eagle

GREAT BARRINGTON — A sanctuary and support headquarters for people of color and the vulnerable has taken root here off South Main Street.
​
Multicultural BRIDGE, a nonprofit whose first office was an attic, now has a 10,000-square-foot permanent home, called Solidarity Meeting House. It's outfitted with a commercial kitchen, a retreat and residence space, meeting areas and more office space.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, 75 attendees celebrated not just the new two-story space, but also lauded BRIDGE co-founder and CEO Gwendolyn VanSant. She was praised for her vision and ability to grow a nonprofit that works to heal the impact of racial inequities, trauma and poverty in the community and beyond.

With a stable place to call home at the edge of farm fields and a view of East Mountain, BRIDGE’s intention is that a healthy and strong community will be forged here.

“May this place be filled with peace, productivity, creativity and compassion,” said the Rev. Mattie Conway, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, in prayer.  “Let it stand as a beacon of hope.”

Originally published in the Berkshire Eagle | By Matt Martinez, The Berkshire Eagle Jan 10, 2025

BECKET — Pamela Tatge, creative and executive director of Jacob’s Pillow, has received a national award for making the arts more accessible to Berkshire County residents.
Tatge was awarded the 2025 Fan Taylor Distinguished Service Award by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, recognizing her contributions to equity and accessibility at the famed dance center and her achievements in curation and programming throughout her career. That includes her time at Wesleyan University prior to joining Jacob's Pillow in 2016.

Originally published on the Berkshire EDGE | Written by Shaw Israel Izikson February 3, 2025

Great Barrington -- After nearly 18 years of operation, local organization Multicultural BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education) has purchased a building for its programs at 965 Main Street.
According to the organization’s website, Multicultural BRIDGE “connects vulnerable community members with key resources and networks, while also providing education to local institutions and the community at large.” The nonprofit organization offers multiple programs and community services.
Organization founder and CEO Gwendolyn VanSant told The Berkshire Edge that the organization has operated from its administrative offices in Lee for many years. It has also rented the 965 Main Street location for its programs for the past two years. “For a long time, we did not ever have a central spot for all of our programs,” said VanSant. “We traveled throughout Berkshire County with our programs for many years. It was fun because we developed relationships and partnerships with churches, arts institutions, and other nonprofits.” However, VanSant added the organization wanted a central location to operate its programs.

Originially posted on the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

​Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Equity Fund grant program, focused directly on addressing systemic inequities and supporting underserved communities across Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess, and northwest Litchfield counties. The fund’s grant application is now open, and BTCF invites local organizations, individuals, and coalitions to apply for funding to advance projects that promote equity and inclusion.

The Equity Fund grant program is a significant step forward in deepening the Foundation’s commitment to fostering a more just and inclusive society, and is part of a three-tier Equity Initiative: The Equity Fund for Grantmaking, The Leadership Advisory Committee, comprised of local leaders of color that make grantmaking decisions in collaboration with community, and the Donor Learning and Giving Circle, comprised of donors committed to shared learning, deeper understanding and collective action to advance racial equity and inclusion through philanthropic practice.  
The Leadership Advisory Committee members are: Gwendolyn VanSant (Board Liaison), Elena Mosley (Columbia County), Monti Lawson (Northeast Dutchess), Florence Afanukoe (Berkshire County), Mia Shepard (Berkshire County), and Alÿcia Bacon (Community Engagement Officer for Equity and Inclusion, BTCF).  
The initiative’s journey began in 2019 under the leadership of Gwendolyn VanSant (BRIDGE CEO & Founder and BTCF board member) who conducted focus groups with the BIPOC community to assess current needs. Local leaders of color were also invited to collaboratively design the Equity Initiative with BTCF and serve on the Leadership Advisory Committee. The grant will provide critical financial support to nonprofits and community-based organizations working on innovative solutions to address racial justice, economic disparities, educational inequities, and healthcare access.