This is New Hampshire: Exploring Diversity in the Granite State
By Nour Habib, Granite State News Collaborative Engagement Reporter
First day of 2021-2022 school year in Nashua
Credit: Allegra Boverman / GSNC
Good morning! We've had a busy month at the Granite State News Collaborative, and I'm excited to share everything we've been working on.
Last weekend, we launched our Education and Equity series, which will shine a light on some of the biggest issues facing education in our state. Over the next few months, the Collaborative and our partners will examine, in depth, what is working and what could be improved in New Hampshire schools and classrooms. Among the topics we'll investigate are school leveling practices that can lead to inequity, the impact of the new education savings accounts, and how English as a Second Language programs are approached in different districts. And we're doing this reporting in partnership with you.
We want feedback and insight directly from Granite Staters, particularly those who spend the most time in the classroom: teachers and students.
If you're a teacher, we'd appreciate it if you filled out this initial survey. If you know a teacher, we'd appreciate it if you passed it along! We've also created a closed Facebook group called Teachers Off The Record, which will be a space for teachers and other classroom educators to participate in confidential conversations about education in New Hampshire. These conversations will guide our reporting, but no one will be quoted in a story without explicit consent or permission. We also hope the group will be a space for teachers to tap into each others' experiences and share resources.
For students, we've developed an informal survey to help us understand what's working and what isn't in New Hampshire classrooms.
We're also planning a listening session for anyone in the education arena who is interested in sharing their thoughts.
Do you have feedback on the education project? Email me at nour.habib@collaborativenh.org with your thoughts.
Check out the video below from New Hampshire PBS's The State We're In to hear from the reporters and editors working on the education series.
New podcast aims to upend preconceived notions and find common ground
Also this month: Columnist and freelance writer Anthony Payton launched The Common Ground Initiative with the Collaborative.
The podcast, accompanied by a Q&A column, aims to highlight the state's diversity through Payton's own insights and interviews with Granite Staters who defy stereotypes. Check out the first column here, and click here to subscribe to the podcast on PodBean.
Civic engagement series
A line of voters in Nashua on Election Day 2020.
Credit:Sheryl Rich-Kern
Our third big launch this month was the civic engagement series, which examines access to civic life in New Hampshire. With our partners at Citizens Count, we are looking at the barriers preventing people from participating in their communities and governments, and seeking out potential solutions.
The first story looks at the barriers to civic engagement that lower the civic health of the Granite State and make it difficult for community organizations and municipalities to fill their boards and committees. The story looks at what it would take to increase access.
A second piece in the series shows examples of laws that began through citizen-led bills.
Courtney Daniel
Photo credit: Ruth Ganev Photography
Courtney Daniel moved to Portsmouth from Atlanta nine years ago for work. “I didn’t think I was going to survive here,” she said. But Daniel, who is a creative strategist professionally, has channeled her energy to fill the needs she sees in the community. She started a group called No To Patterns to provide resources for the BIPOC community, and highlight local professionals and business owners who are people of color. Daniel also spends a couple of hours a week hosting a music show on a community radio station in Portsmouth.
1. What is No To Patterns, and why did you create it?
No to Patterns is an organization I created for those people on the Seacoast who were looking for resources in the BIPOC community. It brings people together, so if someone from Texas is looking to move here, they know that a community exists here for people of color.
I think when you’re a person of color and you know that you have someone from the BIPOC community (to do your hair, or be your doctor), they can relate to you. When you come to an area that doesn’t have someone like you, they can’t relate, because they haven’t had the same experiences as you.
Right now, No To Patterns is a Facebook community with paid membership. Each day I have content that is released into the group.
2. What has your experience been as a Black woman in New Hampshire?
Coming here, it was hard to adjust, because you’re not seeing anyone who looks like you. Like not having a salon or a group of women you can connect with. But I’ve taken those things and said, ‘How can I create a community where I want to live?’ This is where I channel my energy.
Instead of focusing on the negative, I think, ‘How can I make it comfortable not only for me but for others?’ I’ve seen an overwhelming amount of support. I’m not putting things out there as a complaint, but more of a way to think how can we come together to make it better?
3. Tell us a little about your radio work.
As an introvert, I operate well with things that make me happy, and music is one of those things. So for two hours each Thursday, I play R & B jams and neo soul. This is two hours for me to relax and unwind, listen to Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross. That helps guide me into the weekend, and I feel rested.
Thanks for reading! See you next time. -- Nour
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ABOUT THE GRANITE STATE NEWS COLLABORATIVE
The Granite State News Collaborative is a collective of about 20 local media, education and community partners working together to produce and share news stories on the issues that most impact our state. Together we can provide more information to more communities across New Hampshire than we could individually.