Diversity & Inclusion

The modern Massachusetts economy has been growing for 400 years, since settlers first landed in Plymouth in 1620. And for 245 of those 400 years – more than 60% – the Massachusetts economy was tied to the legal institution of slavery.

Worcester County Mechanics Association, which owns and operates the historic venue Mechanics Hall, announced on Tuesday it would add portraits of Frederick Douglass and William Brown to its Great Hall gallery, marking the first time that Black Americans would be included in the installation.

Three small businesses in downtown Fitchburg received loans totaling $55,000 from the North Central Massachusetts Development Corp., the development arm of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, the organization announced on Friday. 

Speakers during the event emphasized the idea that diversity and inclusion require a holistic and ongoing approach and should be a project of the entire organization.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission will host a virtual panel titled Cannabis x Equity on Friday.

American Red Cross of Central and Western Mass. has named Springfield nonprofit leader Nia Rennix as its new executive director, the organization announced on Thursday.

The interim leader of Community Healthlink, a Worcester outpatient health center in Worcester, has been named its permanent CEO, making her the first Black leader of a UMass Memorial Health Care entity.

Edwin Shea and Dan Rea interview each other on culture building, Worcester’s momentum and the renewed push for racial equality.

Chizoma Nosike wouldn’t have known it a year ago, but a federal business loan may be the reason her company, Acclaim Home Health Care in Worcester, is still in operation.

In this new feature from WBJ, Roche and Dickson interviewed each other about their rise to the top seat, using their positions to influence social change, and keeping their workforces motivated during challenging times.