Shout Out (from New Hampshire Magazine)

https://www.nhmagazine.com/shout-out-fisto-ndayishimiye-community-organizer/

When Fisto Ndayishimiye first arrived in New Hampshire with his younger brother, Alex, he carried with him more than the memories of his native Democratic Republic of Congo—he carried a vision. That vision was not simply about personal advancement or achieving what many call the American Dream.

For Fisto, it has always been about building community, ensuring opportunity, and giving a voice to those who too often remain unheard.

At just twenty-four, he has emerged as one of the most committed community organizers in Concord Heights, a neighborhood home to many refugee families. His work has consistently focused on creating safer, more inclusive, and more hopeful spaces where young people can thrive. One of his strongest initiatives has been his advocacy for new lighting at the soccer field at Keach Park, a vital gathering place for youth. While the lights have not yet been installed, Fisto has been working diligently with the Concord City Council and other local leaders to make this vision a reality. For him, this is not just about infrastructure—it is about safety, dignity, and giving the next generation a chance to play, dream, and grow in an environment that values them.

But Fisto’s leadership extends far beyond the soccer field. He believes that lasting change comes when city leaders truly engage with communities, listen to their needs, and work together toward solutions. He has consistently emphasized the importance of outreach, calling on Concord officials to not just legislate for neighborhoods like The Heights but to walk alongside the families who live there. His approach is rooted in a deep understanding that integration and belonging require effort from both sides: refugees learning how to participate in their new community, and the community learning how to embrace newcomers with respect and partnership.

Alongside his community organizing, Fisto has pursued education with the same determination. Studying communications at New Hampshire Community Technical Institute and preparing to continue his education at Southern New Hampshire University, he is charting a path that he hopes will one day lead him to law school. For him, education is not a personal trophy but a tool—an instrument to advocate, to empower, and to ensure that laws and policies reflect justice and fairness for all.

“I do think that we also have a responsibility to learn how to be part of the community,” Fisto has said. “I am trying to teach them to get involved in their community and learn more about being involved in the community.” These words reflect not just a philosophy but a lived practice. Whether he is meeting with city leaders, organizing youth activities, or guiding refugee families on how to engage civically, his goal is to model the kind of leadership that transforms individuals into active, valued citizens.

What makes Fisto’s story so remarkable is that he is not content to focus solely on his own advancement. He is lifting others as he climbs, weaving together the threads of education, advocacy, and community empowerment into a fabric strong enough to hold not just his dreams but the dreams of countless others. For Concord, for New Hampshire, and for a nation still learning how to live up to its highest ideals, his leadership is not only welcome—it is urgently needed.

This feature originally appeared in New Hampshire Magazine as part of their recognition of young leaders shaping the future of the Granite State.