Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging @ Berkshire
The Berkshire Farm Center community stands committed to embracing and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
NEW IN 2023
Berkshire has strengthened its commitment to employees as we enter the new year, now offering
The Markeia Robinson Scholarship Fund for Growth & Change.
The Markeia Robinson Scholarship Fund for Growth & Change was created in honor of our first Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Markeia Robinson.
Markeia's strong commitment to inspire positive change, her willingness to challenge our business practices as well as how we care for those we serve, and her ability to create safe spaces where uncomfortable yet necessary conversations could occur is commendable.
Markeia is a true leader in this important work both at Berkshire and the community-at-large. She believed everyone at Berkshire should have equal opportunities to advance their personal and professional growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
This scholarship provides all employees equal opportunity to access funds for professional development in the areas of DEI&B. This includes opportunities such as webinars, trainings, workshops, books, etc.
Growing an inclusive organization where diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives are welcomed and valued at every level is crucial to our ability to accelerate meaningful change. We know diverse and inclusive organizations are better problem-solving entities. More solutions from greater perspectives will improve our ability to provide the tools, trainings, and resources necessary in order to provide the highest quality of care for our children and families.
Berkshire’s Equity Statement
We vow to continue our journey by looking inward – by examining all biases and judgements while acknowledging both privilege and power. We are committed to better understanding privilege whether it be through race, gender, sexual identity, religion, ability, or other forms. Once fully acknowledged, we pledge to use the identified privilege to advocate for others. We understand that the work we do fosters change that will create a positive, ripple effect within our agency and in the community.
We at Berkshire Farm Center stand committed to becoming an all-inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization that encompasses a sense of belonging for all staff members, children and families, and community partners who join us in our mission. We are committed to dismantling barriers and ideology that reinforce a non-inclusive environment.
We are dedicated to remaining open-minded, respectful, and actively choose learning over comfort. We acknowledge that everyone is on their own journey, and we strive to cultivate a culture of non-judgement, to choose words carefully, show compassion, extend grace, and consistently strive to become an advocate and ally for others.
The DEIB Journey at Berkshire