MEDIA ADVISORY: Berkshire Bank to Host Virtual Townhall Series on “Reimagining America: The Future of the Black and Latinx Economy” with U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Joaquin Castro and Thought Leaders on June 4 and June 5

Policy makers, economic experts join Berkshire Bank to discuss the economic impact of COVID-19 on African American and Hispanic communities and path to economic justice

Panels to be moderated by MSNBC hosts and anchors Joy Reid and Alicia Menendez

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Berkshire Bank, together with Reevx Labs, will host a two-part townhall series, entitled “Reimagining America,” on Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5.

Both events bring together leading policy makers, economic experts and community bank executives to discuss the economic impact of COVID-19 on African American and Hispanic communities, and how we can work together to rebuild a stronger, more inclusive economy that ensures everyone thrives. Berkshire Bank’s goal in hosting this townhall series is to start a dialogue about how we can work together to rebuild a stronger, more inclusive economy, and how supporting this initiative on a community level can motivate change on a national level.

Malia Lazu, Executive Vice President and Chief Culture and Experience Officer at Berkshire Bank, commented, “In light of the continued racial injustices that have convulsed our country over the past few weeks, there is no better time to address the inequity faced by black and brown communities on a daily basis, which has been further exacerbated in the midst of this global pandemic.

“Economic and criminal injustices arise from common roots. Banks – and in particular community banks – have an opportunity to be part of the solution, directing capital and resources back into these communities. At Berkshire we are eager to listen to these leaders and experts. Working together we can be facilitators for much needed change. We welcome everyone to attend what we expect to be an insightful and powerful discussion.”

What	Reimagining America: The Future of The Black Economy	Reimagining America: The Future of Latinx Economy
When	Thursday, June 4, 2020 4:00 pm ET	Friday, June 5, 2020 4:00 pm ET
Who	Ayanna Pressley, Member of Congress (MA 7^th Congressional District) Joy Reid, Host of AM Joy on MSNBC Derrick Johnson, President & CEO of NAACP Courtland Cox, Former Director of US Small Business Administration Malia Lazu, EVP & Chief Culture and Experience Officer at Berkshire Bank	Joaquin Castro, Member of Congress (San Antonio), Chair and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Alicia Menendez, Anchor, MSNBC Live Cristina Jiménez, Executive Director and Co-Founder of United We Dream Nathalie Molina Niño, Entrepreneur and Builder Capitalist Malia Lazu, EVP & Chief Culture and Experience Officer at Berkshire Bank
Where	Register here Livestream available here	Register here Livestream available here

ATTENDANCE AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

The presentation will be on the record. For additional questions or interview requests, please contact [e-mail].

ABOUT BERKSHIRE BANK

Berkshire Bank is transforming into a 21st century community bank with $13.2 billion in assets. We are pursuing purpose driven performance based on our Be FIRST corporate responsibility culture.  

Headquartered in Boston, Berkshire Bank provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management, investment and insurance services through 130 branch offices in New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including Commerce Bank, a division of Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank was awarded the Top Corporate Steward Citizen award by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2019. Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800- 773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and, LinkedIn.

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