The Right to a Voice (Concord Monitor)

https://www.concordmonitor.com/2024/09/19/one-concord-organization-deijb-concord-nh-57063115/

Fisto Ndayishimiye has long believed that true leadership begins with listening, understanding, and connecting communities that are too often overlooked. Having arrived in Concord from the Democratic Republic of Congo eight years ago, Fisto quickly recognized the challenges that new arrivals and marginalized communities face in accessing opportunity, civic engagement, and equitable services. Rather than accepting the status quo, he committed himself to building bridges—between people, organizations, and local government—ensuring that every resident of Concord has a voice and a chance to thrive.

Fisto’s work in Concord is exemplified by his creation of One Concord, a coalition of individuals and organizations representing marginalized groups across the city. The coalition spans support for queer individuals, people with disabilities, youth, seniors, refugee families, and BIPOC communities. One Concord is more than an advocacy group—it is a framework for unity, designed to bring disparate voices together to identify shared needs, promote understanding, and advance policies that strengthen the city as a whole. Under Fisto’s leadership, One Concord has focused on practical, tangible goals, including improving access to public meetings, advocating for equitable zoning, and ensuring community spaces are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive for all residents.

While Concord has made strides toward formalizing its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging (DEIJB) initiatives, Fisto has emphasized that real progress requires collaboration and sustained commitment. He has worked with the city to support the DEIJB Committee, offering guidance on engaging residents who face barriers to participation, including those who do not use social media, cannot read English, or are unfamiliar with local government procedures. His approach is grounded in the belief that governance is most effective when it includes those who are least equipped to advocate for themselves.

A visible example of Fisto’s advocacy is the Keach Park soccer field project. While recent articles mistakenly reported that lights have been installed, Fisto has been actively working with city leaders to make this critical improvement a reality. The lights will create safe spaces for youth to gather, play, and grow in a neighborhood where many refugee families call home. For Fisto, the project is not simply about infrastructure; it is about dignity, safety, and opportunity for the next generation.

Beyond infrastructure, Fisto has championed initiatives like the Concord Multicultural Festival, moving it to Keach Park to better serve local vendors and community members. Through partnerships with the New Hampshire Food Bank and other organizations, he has helped provide entrepreneurs and vendors with resources, training, and certification opportunities, ensuring that the festival serves as a model for inclusion, education, and empowerment. For Fisto, these efforts are about more than events—they are about reshaping the city’s culture to recognize and celebrate diverse practices, identities, and contributions.

Fisto’s vision for Concord is holistic. He understands that leadership is not simply about policy but about cultivating understanding. From language accessibility to recognizing cultural practices, he insists that city leaders and residents alike must actively learn from one another. “We’ve forgotten to learn about those differences,” he says. “We need everybody to learn about everybody, about each other. If our leaders and our community understand those different culture practices and identities, they would understand how to serve this community.”

Through One Concord, advocacy, and hands-on community projects, Fisto has consistently demonstrated that leadership grounded in empathy, action, and collaboration can transform a city. His work reminds us that equity and inclusion are not abstract goals—they are practices that require commitment, courage, and the belief that every voice matters. For Concord, Fisto Ndayishimiye is not just a community organizer; he is a catalyst for meaningful change, bridging divides and building a city where all residents can thrive.

This feature originally appeared in Concord Monitor, highlighting Fisto Ndayishimiye’s ongoing efforts to strengthen unity, equity, and civic participation in Concord.