Shirley Edgerton
Founder
Shirley Ann Session Edgerton is an Educator, Cultural Competency Trainer and Community Activist. She graduated from Herbert Lehman College (City University of New York 1978) with a B.A., attended Atlanta University School of Social Work and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts where she completed an M.Ed.(2007).) Ms. Edgerton was employed by the Department of Development Services for twenty-one years. She served as the Berkshire County Director of the State Operated Homes for adults with Mental Retardation for fifteen of those years. During her tenure she attended Brandeis University & the former Department of Mental Retardation collaborative Diversity Leadership Institute. In 2015 she retired from State Government. In 2015 she joined Pittsfield Public Schools as the first Cultural Proficiency Coach. This position included recruitment, conducting and organizing Cultural Competence training and developing diverse learning situations for students and educators. She retired from this position in 2022. In March 2010 Ms. Edgerton launched the Rites of Passage and Empowerment program (R.O.P.E.). She received numerous recognitions as well as two honorary Doctorates degrees from College of Our Lady of the Elms and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for her outstanding service to children and community. In February 2024 she was recognized at the State House by Governor Healy and the Black Empowerment Council for her service to youth and community. On December 7, 2024 she received the MassArt Common Good Awards, which honored the “exceptional work at the intersection of arts and civic life.” Ms. Edgerton has served on numerous boards. Currently she serves on the 18 Degrees board, Berkshire County NAACP Executive Committee and Pine Cobble School board.
Ana Monslave
bio coming soon!
Kiana Reid
Kiana grew up in Pittseld, Massachusetts and is a ROPE alum. She is a graduate of the Fellows of Community Development Program at Western Illinois University. There she received her Master of Arts in Community and Economic Development. She was accepted into the program following her service in the Peace Corps as a Community Organizational Development Volunteer in the country of Kosovo. Throughout Kiana's professional career, she has been dedicated and excited by opportunities surrounding community development, youth initiatives, restoring communities, and working toward economic and social justice. She currently serves in the role as a National Program Officer for the American Connection Corps, an AmeriCorps organization focused on community development and bridging the digital divide.
Nathan Rogers
Nathan Rogers is an entrepreneur and business owner of C&N BULLIES. He is an high school graduate of Southern Alamance in Graham North Carolina. After graduation he later attended A&T North Carolina State University majoring in electronics and computer technology. Mr. Rogers is a father of two sons and four beautiful grandchildren. He adores children and has always easily engaged them. He is seen as a community father and affectionately referred to as @uncle” or “Mr Nate.” Mr. Rogers also invests in the lives of youth pursuing higher education. He graduated top of his class and maintained honors during his early years of school. Apart from his profession of building hoses to pump oil, he owns and operates his own business. He also worked part-time at a level 3 boys facility for at-risk youth. Mr. Rogers quickly turned into "Mr. Nate",a "favorite" counselor to many of the adolescents males who came through the facility. He saw a need and used the residential facility as a way to give back to youth. He was known for encouraging,inspiring and teaching life long skills and most importantly assisting in academics to ensure the youth at the residence were successful. After the unexpected closing of the residential facility Mr. Rogers continued to mentor youth and teach them about entrepreneurship. He provides training for those interested in the dog Breeding industry and investment. He also supports them financially to reach their goals. Mr. Rogers had assisted many college students to obtain higher education. He is a beacon of light in the lives of our youth. He is committed to ensuring they have an opportunity for academic enrichment and success in life.
Fran Zarubik
Fran G. Zarubick believes that education and non-profits play a vital role in society. She views challenges as opportunities to enhance and seek innovative solutions for every aspect of arts initiatives from operations and fundraising to innovative and stimulating events. Her vision and inclusive leadership style have served her well in developing some notable and prominent model partnerships between public school programs and programs for youth. She has successfully created and participated in Task Forces in which the voices of experts, parents, alumni, and students are all heard in the development of new programs. Her conviction to developing strong educational programs and paving the way for family involvement of young people who will become the leaders of tomorrow, is a primary focus. Ms. Zarubick is equally passionate about the use of Effective Communication and Critical Listening, and diversity in the workplaces of the nation. Education ● M.A.,Human and Organizational Development, (65 credits toward Ph.D. in Organizational ● Development) ● The Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, California ● M.S., Applied Behavioral Science, Organizational Development ● The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland (with Highest Honors)
Keiana West
Keiana is a proud R.O.P.E alumna who graduated from Taconic High School in 2014, before pursuing her undergraduate degree at Williams College. She is currently a Master in Public Affairs student at the Princeton School of Public and international Affairs, where she studies Domestic and Urban Policy. Prior to her graduate education, Keiana worked at a variety of non-profits both domestically and abroad, with a primary focus on racial equity and community safety. She is passionate about ensuring that the public and non-profit sectors partner with each other to provide the resources and safety nets needed to produce healthy, safe, and equitable communities. Her work in public service and racial equity was inspired by the systemic inequality which Berkshire County continues to grapple with, as well as the opportunities R.O.P.E. provided to think critically about community-based solutions to these issues. Education ● B.A., Psychology and Africana Studies, Williams College, Massachusetts ● M.P.A., Domestic Policy and Urban Policy, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey