Du Bois birthday party and Pioneer Awards Ceremony
Today, the Du Bois Center and BRIDGE, an organization promoting the development of a truly multicultural community, will host a special program in honor of W.E.B. Du Bois’ birthday. This year’s Du Bois Center Pioneer Awards, which recognize individuals “who open the way for others to follow,” will be presented to Michael Farmer and John Y. Simon. Farmer, a teacher at Mount Everett Regional School, and colleagues revitalized the “Housatonic Unit,” an interdisciplinary study of the Housatonic River, and spearheaded KIDmocracy, a student exchange program between Mount Everett and an Egyptian human rights advocacy group that shares ideas fundamental to democracies.
Professor Simon of Southern Illinois University, the recipient of the prestigious Lincoln Prize and Lincoln Forum Lifetime Achievement Award, published more than 50 books on Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. A founding board member of the DuBois Center, Simon passed away this summer.
The center would also like to acknowledge the efforts of John Hammill and Rachel Fletcher. Along with Farmer, Mount Everett teacher Hammill contributed largely to the success of the “Housatonic Unit” and KIDmocracy programs. Philanthropist Fletcher impacted the community through her work with the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail and Friends of the Du Bois Homesite.
The center and BRIDGE’s special program will feature a presentation by Pittsfield Police acting Chief Michael Wynn, entitled “Why Good Citizenship Matters: A discussion about civic engagement in our local multicultural community.” Wynn attended Taconic High School, the U.S. Naval Academy, Williams College, and Anna Maria College, where he earned his master’s in criminal justice. Wynn has risen through the Pittsfield police ranks, from patrol officer, sergeant and lieutenant to captain and acting chief. His book, “Rising Through the Ranks: Leadership Tools and Techniques for Law Enforcement,” appeared in 2008.
There will also be a special performance by Youth Alive Step & Drum Team, a multiracial group that performed at Gov. Patrick’s inauguration, and a homemade multicultural dinner prepared by Ariane Blanchard & Associates. This special program will occur at the Du Bois Center, 684 S. Main St., Great Barrington, at 6 p.m. For reservations, call (413) 528-5354.
