In an effort to distance city operations from increasingly polarized national rhetoric, Pittsfield officials have formally renamed the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Office of Equity, Access and Opportunity (EAO). The transition, approved by the City Council on October 13, reflects a strategic pivot by Mayor Peter Marchetti’s administration to preserve the department’s mission while shedding a title that has become a political liability.
Mayor Marchetti and Chief Equity Officer Michael Obasohan described the term “DEI” as a “hot potato” that had become a source of confusion and misgivings among residents. Marchetti noted that the original name carried preconceived notions that often hindered the department’s ability to operate effectively. Beyond the local optics, the mayor acknowledged that the change was partly intended to insulate Pittsfield from potential federal funding cuts as the national administration increases its scrutiny of DEI programs.
Catherine VanBramer, a spokesperson for the mayor, indicated that the city is concerned about safeguarding any federal resources, specifically citing Community Development Block Grants and funding for the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. While the federal climate has turned hostile toward the specific phrasing of DEI, Obasohan said the change allows the city to focus on “actionable steps and outcomes” rather than having to constantly defend a controversial acronym.
The rebranding comes as the office resumes transparency efforts that had stalled in recent years. This week, the EAO office released its 2025-26 affirmative action report, the first such document issued since 2021. The report reveals that while Pittsfield’s 561-member workforce has become slightly more diverse, it remains 89 percent white, down from 91 percent in 2021. Black employees currently make up 5.7 percent of the municipal workforce, an increase from 4.7 percent three years ago. For comparison, 2020-2024 Census estimates place the city’s overall white population at 78.3 percent and its Black population at 5.3 percent.
Since its inception in 2022, the office has managed 17 informal reports of discrimination within city departments. According to the new report, each of these matters was resolved through restorative mediation in partnership with Human Resources, with none escalating to a formal Equal Employment Opportunity complaint. The office’s broader work has included translating essential city documents, such as building permits and marriage certificates, and expanding public Wi-Fi access to Durant and Westside Riverway parks.
The restructuring also introduces the Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission, a five-member advisory body appointed by the mayor. This new commission consolidates two previously inactive groups: the Human Rights Commission and the Affirmative Action Committee. Additionally, new city ordinances have expanded non-discrimination protections in hiring to include family status, gender expression, source of income, and pregnancy.
Despite the reorganization, the office continues to face scrutiny over its efficiency and cost. The City Council approved a $200,302 budget for the office for fiscal year 2027, though some members have questioned the expenditure. Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham has proposed shuttering the office entirely and merging its functions into other departments. The current budget allocates $164,852 for salaries, with the remainder covering training, supplies, and an ambassador program that provides $200 monthly stipends to city employees who promote inclusive leadership within their respective departments.
