Newsletter (From The Concord Insider Feature)

https://www.theconcordinsider.com/2023/04/11/cypn-fisto-ndayishimiye-is-making-changes/

Fisto arrived in the United States in December 2016, carrying with him both the memories of hardship and the determination to turn those memories into motivation. Having grown up in a region where education is not common, he recognized immediately the value of creating opportunities for young people who, like him, might otherwise be overlooked. In Concord, he transformed that conviction into a mission.

Through his role with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and as Lead Organizer for Change for Concord (C4C), Fisto helped build an organizing hub for young adults determined to improve the quality of life in their city. C4C became more than an initiative, it became a gathering place where diverse voices could exchange ideas, build relationships, and learn how to make meaningful change. The goal was not abstract: it was to ensure that Concord could grow into a community where youth, New Americans, and low-income families could thrive and contribute fully.

Under his leadership, Change for Concord hosted youth leadership events designed to bring young people together across differences, equipping them with the tools to address challenges and to step confidently into leadership. These events also created space for conversations between youth and established community leaders, ensuring that elected officials and decision-makers could no longer ignore the perspectives of young people, BIPOC residents, and New American communities.

Fisto’s work is deeply centered in the belief that leadership is not a title, but an example. His goal has always been to inspire others to dream bigger, to believe that success is possible for all, and to model the kind of leadership that prioritizes justice and human dignity. He often says that what drives him is the conviction that “our community needs leaders who understand the value of every human being.”

That conviction has translated into partnerships that extend across Concord’s civic landscape. Whether collaborating with the Concord School District, providing support to the Concord Multicultural Festival, joining hands with environmental advocates at the Sierra Club, or working alongside the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, Fisto has consistently positioned himself where young voices can be heard and amplified.

This recognition by the Concord Young Professionals Network was not just about past achievements; it was also about the vision Fisto carries into the future. He sees leadership not as a personal ambition but as a responsibility, a responsibility to make sure that every young person, immigrant, and community member in Concord knows that they belong, that their voice matters, and that they too can step into leadership.

For those who have watched his journey unfold since 2016, Fisto Ndayishimiye is more than a “young professional of the month.” He is a reminder that leadership can be built on service, humility, and the belief in community potential. And for Concord, his story offers a glimpse into the kind of leadership that can guide the city into a more inclusive and united future.