Introducing ViM Live!
ViM Live is a series of inspiring experiences and thoughtful conversations that bring communities together.
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Beyond the Headlines: Constitutional Rights, Public Health, and the Power of Narrative.
Tuesday, June 10th
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The Indigo Room at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
FEATURING
Vania Andre
The Editor in Chief of The Haitian Times, a first-generation Haitian-American media professional and an exceptional journalist who has provided depth and dimension regarding current events impacting the Haitian Diaspora community. She is a professor at The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University.
Wendy Parmet
A leading expert on public health law, health law and disability law. Wendy was co-counsel for the plaintiff party in the Supreme Court case Bragdon v. Abbott (1998), where a person was denied healthcare treatment due to having HIV. She is the author of Constitutional Contagion and a professor and director of the Northeastern law school's Center for Health Policy and Law.
Dr. Ashish Jha
A physician and academic who served as the White House COVID-19 response coordinator from 2022–2023. Dr. Jha has been Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health since 2020. He is a recognized expert on pandemic preparedness, health policy, and global health.
Wendy Sherman
The 21st US Deputy Secretary of State and the first woman in that position, Wendy has been a diplomat, businesswoman, professor, political strategist, author, broadcast analyst and social worker. She is the author of Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power, and Persistence.
MODERATED BY
Dr. Tom Gerety
A lawyer and philosopher, he taught constitutional law throughout most of his career. He retired as collegiate professor of law and humanities at NYU. Tom led the Brennan Center for Justice and was President of both Trinity and Amherst Colleges. He has law and philosophy degrees from Yale.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Freddie Bryant the Kaleidoscope Trio
A jazz guitarist, Freddie received his master’s degree in classical guitar from Yale School of Music and is in demand in the New York jazz and Brazilian scenes where he has worked with Eliane Elias, Tom Harrell and many others. He was a member of Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet and has played with the Mingus Orchestra for two decades.
Make an impact today
Support our mission by underwriting the event today, underwriters get early access to tickets.
General admission tickets will be available later this spring. Seating is limited.
In lieu of a gala, these events will serve as ViM’s key fundraisers for 2025. This choice reflects our commitment to engage the community on issues connected to ViM’s mission while developing meaningful ways to support our healthcare centers in Great Barrington and Pittsfield.
Buy your ticket for June 10 here
To purchase tickets by check or over the phone, or to underwrite by check, stock, or DAF, email nfernandez@vimberkshires.org or call 413-528-4014. Checks may also be mailed to ViM Berkshires, 777 Main Street, Suite 4, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
ViM Live is a new speaker series that brings powerful voices to the region to engage in vital conversations about the world we live in today.
Born from discussions with our dedicated supporters, ViM Live was created to encourage meaningful, community wide dialogue.
These events convene thought leaders, policymakers, and community members to explore pressing issues while offering enriching experiences.
We are creating an opportunity for a virtual paddle raise, since we aren’t having a traditional gala this year.
Our hope is to raise as much as, or more than, we raised at last year’s event:
$200,000.
A gift of $5,600 allows ViM to provide comprehensive women’s health services to four patients for one full year.
A gift of $2,800 allows ViM to provide chronic disease management to two patients for one full year.
A gift of $1,400 allows ViM to provide clinical and nonclinical care to one patient for an entire year. Your gift supports our whole health model, which includes their social determinants of health.
All paddle raise revenue will support ViM’s core programming, including primary care, dental health, women’s health and behavioral health.
Donations are 100% tax deductible.
