Picture This

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Answering the Call

bankESB recently announced a $10,000 donation to the Easthampton Fire Department, which will be put toward the purchase of portable radios, enhancing firefighters’ ability to communicate effectively in emergency situations. 

Pictured from left: Easthampton Fire Department Chief Christopher Norris and Captain Daniel Constantine; Easthampton City Council President Koni Denham; bankESB President Matthew Sosik; Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby; and bankESB Assistant Vice President and Branch Officer Jessica West, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Bozena Dabek, and Senior Vice President of Retail Banking Gary Turku.

Creative Sector Advocacy Day

A delegation of the Western Mass Arts Advocacy Coalition (WMAAC) presented its seminal report, “Regional Perspectives from the 2025 Western Massachusetts Arts Economic Impact Summit,” to legislators on March 3 during MASSCreative’s third annual Creative Sector Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House. The report is a comprehensive presentation of the key issues identified and regional priorities and potential solutions raised at the Western Mass Arts Economic Impact Summit held last November at MASS MoCA in North Adams. 

Pictured from left: WMAAC economic impact planning team members Tiffany Allecia, state Sen. Paul Mark, Cassandra Holden, Fungai Tichawangana, Ruth Griggs, and Dee Boyle-Clapp.

Community Support

Greylock Federal Credit Union recently awarded 10 nonprofits with gifts of $10,000 each, totaling a $100,000 contribution to the nonprofit sector. The recipients include Elder Services of Berkshire County, Louison House, Childcare of the Berkshires, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires (VIM), Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY), Soldier On, Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, Our Community Table, UCP of Western Massachusetts, and Berkshire Pride. 

Pictured from left: Johno Hinkell, vice president, market manager at Greylock; Child Care of the Berkshires President and CEO Amy Hall and CFO Billie Jo Sawyer; and Jamie Moncecchi, senior vice president, chief administrative officer at Greylock.

Celebrating Fearless Women

At the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s (SSO) “A Woman’s Voice” concert on March 14, the 2026 Fearless Women honorees were celebrated during a pre-concert reception recognizing their leadership, impact, and dedication to the community. Surrounded by their supporters and past Fearless Women honorees, each awardee was recognized for their meaningful work they are doing across industries to uplift others and create lasting change.

Pictured from left: Melina Phelps (accepting on behalf of Linda Thompson), Kisha Zullo, Megan Moynihan, Pat Ononibaku, SSO President and CEO Heather Caisse-Roberts, Terry Powe, Maeliz Colon, Erica Swallow, Rongbing Shen, Shannon Rudder, Claudia Quintero, and Ayanna Crawford.

Rebecca Johnson Award Winners

The Loomis Communities, in partnership with Stone Soul Inc., hosted a Women’s History Month Celebration luncheon at Reeds Landing in Springfield. At the event, six area women were honored with Stone Soul’s Rebecca Johnson Award. The award, named in remembrance of the first Black principal hired by the Springfield Public School district, was given to women leaders who embody Johnson’s legacy of leadership and service. 

Pictured from left: Latonia Monroe-Naylor, Veronica McNair, Ella Holman, Zaida Govan, Gloria Williams, and Samantha Hamilton.

Pride and Representation

DJ Nicki Nell, president of Visual Sound Productions Inc., a Western Mass.-based entertainment and event production company, was selected to perform at the Boston Celtics game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 27 at TD Garden. The opportunity marked a significant moment for regional representation, as Nell was chosen to perform in one of the country’s most competitive entertainment markets. Boston’s deep roster of local DJ talent makes the selection especially notable. The performance was part of the Celtics’ annual Pride Night celebration, an event that highlights and supports the LGBTQ+ community within the sports and entertainment space.

DJ Nicki Nell, president of Visual Sound Productions Inc.,