Du Bois Freedom Center’s Marcus P. Smith wins national award
Great Barrington— The Du Bois Freedom Center has proudly announce that Mars and American Heritage Chocolate have honored their Resident Historian Marcus P. Smith with their 2026 History Tellers Award, which shines a spotlight on the educators, interpreters, preservationists, guides, and storytellers who keep our nation’s history alive.
Smith is an historic preservationist, public historian, and Ph.D. candidate in W. E. B. Du Bois Afro-American Studies and Public History Graduate Certificate Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His work centers on preserving and interpreting historically African-American communities and heritage sites through community-driven approaches. At the Du Bois Freedom Center, he has led programming and interpretation initiatives since 2023. He also served as a docent at the W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site and Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church. In 2024, he was named a Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellow and a Graduate Research Fellow at the W.E.B. Du Bois Center at UMass Amherst, where he studies Du Bois’s role as a public historian.
Smith is the founder of the Black Grassroots Heritage Preservation Network (BGHPN), a national digital storytelling initiative that highlights Black-led preservation efforts across the United States through oral history, multimedia storytelling, and an interactive map and database documenting more than 400 grassroots heritage projects. Through this work, he helps connect, document, and amplify community-based preservation initiatives – including organizations such as the Du Bois Freedom Center – while increasing their visibility to national audiences. His scholarship and public history work have been recognized by leading organizations including the National Council on Public History and the the National Council for Black Studies.
Expressing his gratitude for the award, Smith said, “My passion for history comes from my Grandparents who made sure we always knew and respected the stories and history of our family. History matters. We use the past to inform the present and to envision our future. I’m incredibly honored to be receiving the History Tellers Award especially at this time in our nation’s history. America’s 250th anniversary is not just about looking back, it’s about understanding how those stories continue to shape who we are today.”
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Berkshire Museum repatriates Hawaiian artifact
Pittsfield— Berkshire Museum recently welcomed students from the Kula Manu Club of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama in Hawaii to the city of Pittsfield for an ’Awa Ceremony.
This special observance celebrated the gifting of a Hawaiian feather cape to the museum, replicated by the students by hand over the course of a few years. The cape, called an ’ahu’ula, is traditionally worn by the ali’i, or ruling class of Hawai’i. The original cape that the replica is inspired by had been in the museum’s collection since it first opened its doors in 1903, and thanks in part to the work of the students, it has recently been repatriated to Hui Iwi Kuamo’o, a Native Hawaiian organization that focuses on the repatriation of culturally sensitive Hawaiian materials.
“We were honored to have the Kula Manu Club come to Pittsfield for this observance,” said Berkshire Museum Executive Director Kim Bush Tomio. “Bringing this object back to its rightful home is not only a significant achievement in itself but also a powerful reminder of the importance of stewardship, accountability, and respect for the communities to which these items belong.”
The Kula Manu Club at the Kamehameha Schools was created in 2023 by a teacher, Steven Cup Choy, and four students. The group originally planned to pursue the repatriation of a cape at the Smithsonian, but pivoted after discovering the object was already being sent to Hawai’i. While looking for a cape to replicate, they discovered one located at the Berkshire Museum. It was there that the club started to lay the groundwork for its efforts.
The students worked closely with the museum’s Collection Manager, Jason Vivori, over the course of three years to help make this project possible. While work on the replica continued, efforts to repatriate the original cape began in 2025, culminating with the return of the ’ahu’ula to Hawaii in May 2026. Since then, the item has been gifted to the Kaua’i Museum where it is currently on display.
The students were also honored with a proclamation from Mayor Peter M. Marchetti of Pittsfield, which designated June 13th as “Hawaiian Cultural Heritage Celebration Day.” It coincided with the club’s event that same day at the Pittsfield Farmers Market, which showcased Hawaiian culture with lei making, hula, and crafts like kapa bag printing and feathered cape design.
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South County Recovery Center and Rural Recovery leadership updates
Great Barrington— South County Recovery Center (SCRC) has announced the appointment of Kristany Skorput as the new Program Director for the SCRC.
This news comes after Gary Pratt, Executive Director of Rural Recovery Resources Inc. (RRR) and founding Program Director of the center decided to step down as the Program Director SCRC, while continuing in his position at RRR.
Skorput brings an incredible wealth of experience, a profound commitment to recovery advocacy, deep South County roots, and a fresh perspective that makes her uniquely qualified for this role. Her exceptional leadership, passion, and expertise will guide SCRC into a fantastic new chapter, where she is warmly welcomed.
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Norman Rockwell Museum board updates
Stockbridge— Norman Rockwell Museum has announced the appointment of seven distinguished leaders to its Board of Trustees: Dean Cimini, Liz Strand Cimini, PhD, Chris Kennedy, Dan’l Lewin, Cynthia McCollum, and Carol and Irving Smokler, PhDs with Cimini-Strand, McCullom, and the Smoklers each sharing a split trustee seat.
Bringing a powerful blend of expertise across the arts, global technology, public affairs, healthcare administration, corporate governance, and philanthropy—alongside deep personal connections to the Museum and to the Berkshires—this new cohort of trustees will help guide the Museum’s strategic vision and community impact.
Dean Cimini is a seasoned business leader with nearly 20 years at Microsoft and currently serves as Global Client Director in Health & Life Sciences. Throughout his career, he has helped launch five start-ups and held prominent civic roles, including Rotary International Foundation Chair.
Dr. Liz Strand Cimini is an Adjunct Professor of Strategy, Management, and Entrepreneurship at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. With a background in human speech perception, she spent years in Silicon Valley’s high-tech speech recognition industry, including senior leadership roles at Microsoft and Nuance Communications. She also brings extensive arts governance experience, notably serving as past president of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra.
Chris Kennedy is veteran public affairs and media strategy advisor and the founder of 4C Communication Strategies, LLC. A former Capitol Hill aide, he has directed national communications for prominent Washington, D.C.-based organizations, including the U.S. Travel Association and the Cato Institute.
Dan’l Lewin recently retired as the CEO of the Computer History Museum. Prior to CHM, he spent 17 years as a Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, establishing the company’s model for engaging the venture capital and startup community in applying technology for civic engagement and public good. With 30-plus years of leadership experience in Silicon Valley with companies that include Apple, NeXT, and Sony, Lewin has served on the boards of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, UI Labs, Advanced Energy Economy, and currently serves as a Board Director at Persistent Systems and several AI-oriented startups. Lewin holds an AB from Princeton University.
Cynthia (Cindy) McCollum is a senior healthcare executive with more than 40 years of experience overseeing large-scale hospital operations and regulatory strategy. She recently retired as Senior Vice President of Hospital Administration at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), where she also served as Incident Commander during the COVID-19 pandemic. A seasonal resident of Stockbridge since 1997, McCollum serves as a Corporate Trustee for The Trustees of Reservations and serves on their Berkshires Advisory Group. She is also on the Board of the New York Academy of Medicine and HANYS Services, Inc. She holds an MBA from Yale and an AB from Princeton.
Dr. Carol Smokler is a retired clinical and sports psychologist. She brings a portfolio of national philanthropic leadership, notably serving 12 years as Chairman of the national Jewish community’s Emergency Committee, where she led the community’s crisis responses to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and many other emergencies. She also served on the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel. She currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is a past Board member of Kids for Harmony.
Dr. Irv Smokler, a real estate investor and philanthropist, is the founder and president of the Nephcure Foundation, which supports research and advocacy for glomerular (kidney) disease. He is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University, where he received an AB and of the University of Michigan, where he earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He has taught at the University of Michigan, where he also served as the Dean of Students in the medical school and maintained a private psychotherapy practice.
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Berkshire Community College LPN pinning ceremony
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for graduates of its Practical Nursing Program on June 25th. The event honored 26 graduates, three of whom received special awards.
Award winners are as follows:
- Amanda Markham, Academic Excellence in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who has the highest GPA within the LPN program and is given in acknowledgment of academic excellence in Nursing. This award recognizes the hard work and determination demonstrated by this student in the pursuit of nursing knowledge.
- Clement Lim, Clinical Excellence in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who performs exemplary delivery of nursing skills in the clinical setting. This award recognizes the role of advocacy in nursing by promoting compassionate and holistic patient centered care.
- Viktoriia Sheremet, Professionalism in Nursing: This award is presented to the student who is committed to high-quality patient care, and role models teamwork and collaboration. This award recognizes the importance of communication, critical thinking, and promotes the positive image of nursing.
The graduates are:
- Anais Almanzar, Springfield
- Alana Black, Springfield
- Candace Branch, Springfield
- Louise Cameron, Springfeld
- Deja Caulton, Springfield
- Fredrick Chetambe, Indian Orchard
- Edmond Coleman, Pittsfield
- Christina Essien, Pittsfield
- Marissa Felter, Cheshire
- Blaze Galarza-Perez, Pittsfield
- Clement Lim, Pittsfield
- Hollie Lombardi, Pittsfield
- Melanie Lutz, North Adams
- Amanda Markham, Pittsfield
- Sabrina Mason, Pownal, Vt.
- Maribel Mojica, Springfield
- Ryan Musambai, Indian Orchard
- Cynthialynn Perales, Westfield
- Darrishae Potts, Pittsfield
- Joshua Richmond, East Longmeadow
- Krystal Rodriguez, Springfield
- Britney Rogers, Pittsfield
- Fleur Sereko, Pittsfield
- Viktoriia Sheremet, Springfield
- Hailey Weslowski, Cheshire
- Gasteena Wright, Pittsfield
The wearing of the school pin symbolizes the right to serve others, signifying the acceptance of the responsibilities of the practice of nursing and the educational preparation of the wearer. The ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The gold center of the pin features the college seal, including the words “To travel hopefully.”
