Choice Mentoring Initiative
Connections
Networking Opportunities/Community Engagement
The Choices Mentoring Initiative Community Connection Page serves as a vibrant hub for fostering connections among mentors, mentees, and community members. Visitors to this page will find information on community-wide connections by Choices Mentoring Initiative and affiliates
Some Mentees Braving the Rain as the Summer Fun Continues at Choices Mentoring Initiatives
7/31/2025
Choices Mentoring Initiative proudly sponsored a Berkshire County family for a fun-filled day at Six Flags.
7/25/2025
7/22/2025
Summer is in Full Swing at Choices Mentoring Initiative!
Today’s community outing was one for the books. No photos this time because we were too busy laughing, sharing, and celebrating our mentees’ journeys!
From landing summer jobs to overcoming challenges and growing into confident young leaders, our mentees are truly thriving. Their stories inspire us every single day, and watching them shine is the best reward.
We are so proud of their hard work and dedication, and grateful to our community for supporting the next generation of leaders.
VOICES (Part 2) is here!
7/14/2025
Echoes of Verse and Drum
Experience the powerful voices of Choices Mentoring Initiative mentees—Alexander, Isaiah, Omaree, Ozryel, Spencer, and Valente—as they share their original poems, accompanied by the rhythmic drumming of Jerome Edgerton Jr.
On June 28, 2025, VOICES brought together Albany Berkshire Ballet, Syracuse City Ballet, Berkshire Music School, BeatNest, and Choices Mentoring Initiative for a powerful afternoon of poetry, music, and dance, directed by Mary Talmi and supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Cultural Resources Foundation.
Watch Part 2 Below!
VOICES (Part 1) is here!
7/13/2025
A Poetic Ballet of Music and Motion
On June 28, 2025, VOICES brought together Albany Berkshire Ballet, Syracuse City Ballet, Berkshire Music School, BeatNest, and Choices Mentoring Initiative for a powerful afternoon of poetry, music, and dance, directed by Mary Talmi and supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Cultural Resources Foundation.
Watch Part 1 Below!
Choices Mentoring Initiative Hits the Green at Baker’s Golf. Check Out Some of the Photos Below!
7/8/2025
VOICES:
A Powerful Collaboration of Art and Expression
6/28/2025
A big thank you to Berkshire County and beyond for supporting VOICES, an inspiring performance created through the collaboration of Albany Berkshire Ballet, Syracuse City Ballet, Beatnest, Choices Mentoring Initiative, and Berkshire Music School. Stay tuned for more photos and videos from the production!
Here’s an excerpt from today’s performance, where Albany Berkshire Ballet brings to life Alexander Rodriguez’s poem Whispers Of The Berkshire, edited by Dr. Bilé. Sound by Beatnest, video by Christine Bilé.
The performance took place at Berkshire Music School.
Choices Mentees Celebrate Juneteenth 2025 with Story Time and Play- June 15, 2025
Mentees from the Choices Mentoring Initiative participated in a Story Time reading session at the Berkshire County NAACP's 2025 Juneteenth Celebration, held at Durant Park.
In addition to reading, they enjoyed a variety of fun and engaging activities, including socializing, playing board games, basketball, badminton, and savoring Cravins Ice Cream, among others.
Whispers, Echoes, Rinks, and Days Gone By: The VOICES Project Unfolds
The VOICES project of ABB’s Process & Performance Series continues to rise. On June 5, 2025, new sessions at BeatNest Studio featured original poems by:
Alexander Rodriguez – Whispers of the Berkshires
Ozryel Scipio – Rink, Lanes, and Lost Days
Omaree Scipio – Echoes of Berkshire Mall
Each piece adds power to this growing creative movement.
Yesterday’s recording featured Day at the Club by Isaiah Oduro.
These works are guided by Dr. Bilé and music producer Geoffrey Carter, Berkshire Music School, with choreography by Ruslan Sprague, Rowan Young, Kareem Best, and Sarah Klok.
Something extraordinary is taking shape. Stay tuned.
Under the direction of Dr. Bile, four Choices mentees wrote poems about life in the Berkshires, which we are recording and weaving into a musical score. Here, Isaiah Oduro is recording his poem Day at the Club with BeatNest owner and music producer Geoffrey Carter.
Other poems to be recorded include:
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Whispers of the Berkshires by Alexander Rodriguez
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Rinks, Lanes, and Lost Days by Ozryel Scipio
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Echoes of Berkshire Mall by Omaree Scipio
Choreographers for VOICES include Ruslan Sprague, Kareem Best, Sarah Klok, and Rowan Young.
ABB’s Process and Performance series announces VOICES, a collaboration with Berkshire Music School, Choices Mentoring Initiative, and BeatNest
Written by Mary Talmi
06/04/2025
PARADISE WITH A PURPOSE!
5/25/2025
Choices Mentors and Mentees Unite in Montego Bay, Jamaica
On 5/25/2025, after months of planning, the vision of Dr. Deborah Salmon became a reality! Three mentors and seven mentees from Choices Mentoring Initiative arrived in Montego Bay, Jamaica, ready to make a lasting impact.
This journey was about more than mentorship. It was about connection, support, and celebrating Jamaica’s rich culture. Honoring Dr. Salmon's legacy, Choices Mentoring Initiative is inspired to empower young lives and create real change.
Mentors and mentees from Choices Mentoring Initiative, accompanied by Dr. Foster, MD, Jamaica, embarked on a powerful journey from Runaway Bay to Kingston, Jamaica — not for leisure, but for legacy.
In loving honor of Dr. Deborah Salmon, we proudly donated medical equipment, technology, toys, and vital essentials to the incredible individuals and staff at the Jamaica National Children’s Home.
We showed up with full hearts, ready to serve, and left forever changed by the strength, joy, and spirit of the people we met.
This is what mentorship looks like. This is what legacy feels like.
Rise and Shine with CHOICES!
May 14, 2025
Early this morning at Eagle Academy, we lit up the day with our Morning Challenge SEL Game Show — and the Wheel O' Wonder did not disappoint!
Students laughed, learned, and leveled up with real-life connection skills — to self, peers, family, school, and community.
CHOICES Mentoring Initiative is here to build brighter futures, one spin at a time.
Big love to our supporters — you make the magic happen!
5/13/2025
Special shoutout to Makeda Gadson, owner of Craft My Joy, for donating custom-crafted T-shirts for our Inaugural International Trip! Our youth will be rocking them with pride across borders. Makeda, thank you for literally Crafting Our Joy!We are just getting started.Stay tuned for more from Choices Mentoring Initiative.
Today’s CHOICES Mentoring Initiative is all about “you,” May 6, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Lighting the Way!
April 22, 2025!
Dr. Kebra and her brilliant MCLA physics students teamed up with Choices Mentoring Initiative for an inspiring session packed with hands-on STEM fun, real talk about the college journey, and powerful mentorship.
From bending light to shaping futures, the mentees delved into the intersection of science and life, discovering what it truly takes to thrive in college.
This is what community, curiosity, and collaboration look like.
Reggae Vibes Take Over Choices Mentoring Initiative! Larry, Chris & Monti Rock the Stage While Dr. Bilé Dances the Night Away – 4/15/2025
Dr. Bilé Inspires the Next Generation of Leaders at Eagle Academy – A Huge Thank You to the Students and Staff for the Warm Welcome.
4/13/2025
Choices Mentoring Initiative Drumming and Acoustic Session 3/25/2025
Our latest Drumming and Acoustic Guitar Session was an incredible experience! From rhythmic drum beats to soulful guitar melodies, participants immersed themselves in the power of music for healing, self-expression, and community building.
Check out the amazing moments captured during the session—smiles, laughter, and pure creativity in action! 📸✨
Stay tuned for our next musical gathering. Until then, keep the rhythm alive!
Dr. Bilé & Special Guest Samuel Alu Join Forces at the Berkshire Dream Center's 'Night of Dreams' Fundraising Gala!
3/21/2025
Dr. Bilé, Bryan House, Soul Prophet, and Christine Bilé jamming at the Center for Peace Through Culture, in Housatonic, MA – 3/19/2025!
Honored to attend the Student of the Month ceremony for Automotive Technology 1 at Lower Pioneer Valley Career and Technical Education Center, celebrating an incredible mentee from Choices Mentoring Initiative! Proud of your hard work and dedication – the future is bright!
Dr. Bilé
3/11/2025
By OVERWHELMING Demand: Choices Mentoring Initiative’s Snacks & Movie Night Was a HUGE Hit!
3/4/2025
What an incredible morning at Eagle Academy!
2/27/2025
Students were THRILLED to participate in today’s Choices Mentoring Initiative activities! The youth were fully immersed and growing together, from role-playing and storytelling to quizzes and engaging conversations.
A HUGE shoutout to all the amazing students and staff at Eagle Academy who made this event a huge success! Your energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to building brighter futures is truly inspiring.
Let’s continue making positive choices and empowering our youth!
Bowey’s Magic = Reality Bent!
2/22/2025
Bowey took Choices Mentoring Initiative on a wild ride that shattered EVERYTHING we thought we knew about reality! Tricks that twisted nature, illusions that left us speechless.
Just when you thought you had it figured out… BOOM—another level of magic! Watch this mind-blowing illusion and pictures below. You won’t believe your eyes!
Big things are coming!
2/12/2025
Choices Mentoring Initiative is launching even MORE exciting programs to empower our youth!
We are on a mission to inspire the next generation with mentorship, workshops, and community events that truly make a difference. Stay tuned for more!
Ready to be part of the change? Let’s build a brighter future together!
Choices Mentoring Initiative at DCF
2/11/2025
Huge thanks to DCF-Western Region for inviting Choices Mentoring Initiative (CMi) to participate in today’s Community Providers Fair! It was an incredible opportunity to connect with other amazing resources, and we are grateful for the chance to collaborate with the DCF team.
Taking Outdoor Adventures to the Next Level
1/11/2025
After an inspiring outdoor presentation from Andrew, Nathan (Mass. Division of Fisheries & Wildlife), and A.J. (Berkshire Black Economic Council) on 1/7, our Choices Mentoring Initiative mentees took it to the next level today, 1/11! Big thanks to the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Junior Archery Program for an epic day of hands-on outdoor action!
Incredible Outdoor Adventure with Choices Mentoring!
Tuesday, 1/7/2025
On Tuesday, 1/7/2025, Choices Mentoring Initiative had an unforgettable experience with expert partners Nathan & Andrew (Mass. Division of Fisheries & Wildlife) and A.J. Enchil (Berkshire Black Economic Council)!
They led hands-on activities, deepened our understanding of nature, and empowered our youth to lead and grow!
Prizes Alert!
Mentees earned prizes for sharing their outdoor interests, with one lucky winner taking home a special prize for active participation!
Huge thanks to our partners for making this day unforgettable. Our youth can’t wait for more adventures!
Welcome to
Choices Mentoring Initiative
2025!
Big News for 2025! 🚨 We are kicking off the year with an exciting new opportunity for youth in Berkshire County! 🌲 This year, we have partnered with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife and the Berkshire Black Economic Council to offer a series of outdoor activities designed to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation! 🦅🐟
But that is not all. We are also offering incredible opportunities for travel (Domestic and International), college tours, music, theater, drama, poetry, and so much more! 🎶🎭✈️ Whether you are interested in exploring the great outdoors, discovering new passions, or preparing for your future, Choices Mentoring Initiative has something for you.
In addition, we are proud to provide wrap-around services, community partnerships, and social-emotional learning skills to help youth thrive in all areas of life. 💪🏽🧠 Our holistic approach is designed to support youth growth, personally and academically.
We can’t wait for you to join us on this incredible journey!
Stay tuned for updates on how you can get involved and make the most of this amazing experience.
Choices Mentoring Initiative 2024
A
🌟 16 Minutes, Life-Changing Impact! 🌟
In just 16 minutes, you can see how the Choices Mentoring Initiative empowered youth and shaped brighter futures for the next generation, in 2024. This progress is possible because of YOU!
As we move into 2025, we need your support to continue this vital work. Your donation today can make all the difference!
Please get in touch with Dr. Bilé at dremmanueltbile@gmail.com to learn how YOU can help make a change in our community today!
Huge Thanks to Guin, Nicole, Nick, and Molari Employment and HealthCare Services!
12/11/2024
A genuine thank you for your generous donation and continuous support of Choices Mentoring Initiative! Your commitment is helping us empower and uplift youth in our community, creating brighter futures and lasting change.
Together, we are making a difference!
Step by Step: Big Thanks to Our Benevolent Donor for Helping Choices Mentoring Initiative Empower Youth with New Shoes!
11/15/2024
Thanks to the incredible generosity of a benevolent donor, Choices Mentoring Initiative was able to distribute brand-new shoes to some of our amazing youth today!
These shoes represent more than just something to wear, they are a symbol of hope, support, and the belief that every young person deserves the resources to succeed and feel confident.
But the GOOD NEWS doesn’t stop there! More shoes are on the way, and we are excited to continue meeting the needs of our youth with your support.
A heartfelt thank you to the donor who made this possible, your kindness is changing lives, one step at a time.
Thanks to all our Choices Mentoring Initiative donors and supporters.
This is just the beginning! Together, we are giving our youth the tools they need to rise and walk confidently toward their dreams.
Gratitude & Greatness:
Choices Mentoring Initiative Celebrates Honor Roll Students and College Achievements
11/26/2024
As we all prepare to give thanks this season, Choices Mentoring Initiative gathered at Friendly’s to celebrate the incredible achievements of our hardworking mentees!
Shoutout to our Honor Roll students and those excelling in their academics! A special thanks to our three college students who joined us to share in the gratitude.
Here is to mentorship, community, and the power of hard work! Keep shining, everyone!
Dr. Bilé
Celebrating Music and Mentorship with Larry Gravett
10/15/2024
On October 15, 2024, we welcomed Larry Gravett to Choices Mentoring Initiative. Larry captivated our mentees and their families with a stunning selection of Jazz and R&B hits, creating an unforgettable evening filled with music and inspiration.
Larry Gravett's passion for music and dedication to mentorship resonated deeply with everyone in attendance. We are grateful to Larry for sharing his talent and wisdom and enriching our community through this beautiful experience.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable night of rhythm, connection, and growth! Check out the clip below of Larry Gravett performing "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You."
Empowering Collaboration at the Berkshire Black Economic Council Noir Roots Event
10/6/2024
Wrapped up an incredibly productive meeting at the Berkshire Black Economic Council Noir Roots event! It was inspiring to see illustrators, theater professionals, rap artists, grant agencies, youth advocates, DJs, and book publishers come together.
We exchanged ideas, explored collaborations, and discussed how we can support each other in our creative endeavors. Excited for the potential this gathering has to elevate our youths and community!
Check out this photo of Dr. Bilé from Choices Mentoring Initiative alongside book publisher Allekxavian V. Culpepper and rap artist Ahmed McClennon (Buddha Da Great). It captures the vibrant spirit of collaboration at the Berkshire Black Economic Council Noir Roots event!
Choices Mentoring Initiative Presents Chris Merenda and his Led Zeppelin Cover Band.
10/01/2024
The Chris Merenda Led Zeppelin cover band performed a private concert for our incredible Choices Mentoring Initiative youth! This unforgettable event took place on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the Berkshire Dream Center.
Thank you to Chris and the band for delivering such an amazing performance and creating lasting memories for our mentees.
Check out the video of the performance by clicking the link below to relive the magic.
Choices Mentoring Initiative
at Dower Square Halloween Party
Choices Mentoring Initiative DJed and supported the Dower Square Halloween party at the Polish Falcon Club, today, 10/18/2024. It was a fantastic night filled with music, fun, prizes, and community spirit!
Choices Mentoring Initiative
at Hoosac Valley High School
Choices Mentoring Initiative was well received this morning, 10/18/2024, at Hoosac Valley High School, generating significant interest among enthusiastic young people eager to participate in the program.
Choices Mentoring Initiative
at the
2024 1Berkshire Celebrate the Berkshires Event
Choices Mentoring Initiative was honored to be a 2024 Berkshire Trendsetter Finalist for the Visionary of the Year Award at the 1Berkshire Celebrate the Berkshires event today, September 19, 2025, at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners. We appreciate your support as we continue to empower and inspire our community🌟
Choices Mentoring Initiative Partners with
Berkshire Music School
December 10, 2024
Rain couldn’t stop the energy at Choices Mentoring Initiative! Our youth had an unforgettable day at Berkshire Music School, kicking off an incredible partnership that blends mentorship, music, and live performance.
Big thanks to Berkshire Music School for supporting the next generation of leaders and artists. This is just the beginning—stay tuned for more!
Knockout Inspiration: Jamer Jones, Former Massachusetts Middleweight Champion, Inspires at Choices Mentoring Initiative! (11/13/2024)
Today, we were beyond honored to welcome Jamer Jones, former Massachusetts Middleweight Boxing Champion, as a special guest speaker for our youth group!
Jamer shared powerful lessons from his boxing career, discipline, dedication, and the unbreakable will to push through adversity.
The real magic came when Jamer Jones flipped the script and focused on a message we all need to hear: Nonviolence & Conflict Resolution.
Choices Mentoring Initiative 2024 4th of July Parade Video