People attending the 2025 annual meeting hosted by the New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity, seated around round tables in a large wooden venue, engaged in discussions.

Lakeport Opera House | Laconia, NH | Tuesday, May 6th, 2025

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Program

1:30 – 2:00: Registration & Open Networking

2:00 – 2:30: Grounding & Mission Moment

2:30 – 3:00: Welcome

3:00 – 3:45: Keynote– Dr. Daniel Black

3:45 – 4:20: Reflection & Networking Break

4:20 – 5:20: Operationalizing the Optimism

4:20 – 4:40: Group Conversation & Guided Questions

4:40 – 5:20: Fireside Chat, featuring panelists Devon Chaffee, Miranda Dupre, Simon Delekta, and Dr. Gisele C. Shorter.

5:20 – 5:30: Close

5:30 – 6:00: Reception & Open Networking

Featuring food from the Broken Spoon in Franklin, NH.

Photo Gallery

A man playing an acoustic guitar while seated on a chair on a stage with dark curtains in the background. Microphones are set up in front of him, and a djembe drum is visible in the foreground.

A man with a shaved head and beard playing an acoustic guitar on stage, with a dark background and a red illuminated screen behind him.

People sitting and standing at tables in a two-level conference or event space, some reading and engaging with materials.

People gathered in a dimly lit indoor event space, some standing and conversing, others looking at their phones. The setting appears to be a professional or social gathering.

Two women are having a conversation in a dimly lit indoor venue, with other people and tables visible in the background, illuminated by colorful lighting.

People sitting at tables during an indoor event or conference, with some engaging in conversations, and one woman looking forward. The setting appears to be a modern, well-lit venue with a second level balcony visible.

A man with long dreadlocks and wearing a colorful yellow African print suit stands on stage holding a guitar, with a woman watching from the side. The setting appears to be a conference or event with a large screen displaying information and stage li

A man wearing a yellow and black patterned shirt is sitting on a drum, performing on stage with microphones in front of him. Behind him is a large screen displaying text about an annual meeting and his name, Theo Martey, from Manchester, originally f

People seated at a dark indoor event, clapping and smiling, illuminated by red lighting.

A woman standing at a podium giving a speech on stage, with dark curtains behind her and an audience seated in front.

A man with gray hair, glasses, and earrings is speaking at a podium with a microphone in front of him. He is wearing a light-colored checkered blazer and standing in front of red curtains on a stage.

A woman speaking at a podium with a microphone, wearing a white blazer with blue floral pattern, short hair, and earrings. Dark curtains are in the background.

Audience sitting at tables in a dimly lit event space, clapping and listening attentively.

A man with gray hair, glasses, and a checkered blazer holding papers, standing in a dimly lit room with modern lighting and a water bottle on a table.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling, standing with arms crossed in a professional setting, wearing a light-colored blazer over a striped blouse and a striped dress.

A man in a dark suit with glasses, holding a notepad and pen, standing next to a woman with crossed arms in a white blazer at an indoor event with dim lighting.

A man wearing glasses and a checkered blazer is standing at a podium with a microphone in front of a black background and red curtains.

Guests seated at tables during a conference or event, listening attentively to a speaker, with table items including glasses, a bottle, and a QR code sign.

A woman speaking into a microphone at a podium during a presentation or speech.

A woman stands behind a podium with a microphone, speaking at an event. She has short hair and wears a white blazer with blue patterns over a dark top, silver earrings, and a necklace with a cross pendant.

A man with a bald head, glasses, and earrings working on a laptop at a table with a bottle of water, against a dark background.

A man wearing glasses and a dark shirt gives a speech or presentation at a table with a laptop and water bottle, gesturing with his right hand on a stage.

Audience members seated and attentively listening at a conference or event in a dimly lit room with colorful lighting.

Audience members attentively listening at a conference or seminar, seated in rows with drinks and notebooks on the tables in front of them.

A group of people standing at an indoor event, some are clapping. There is a woman in a red blazer and a man with a beard and plaid shirt in the foreground, and others in casual and semi-formal attire behind them.

Man with long dreadlocks, glasses, and a beard speaking in front of a microphone on stage, wearing a dark plaid blazer and a white checked shirt, with a dark background and red curtain.

A woman with curly hair illuminated by purple and pink stage lights, wearing a black shirt with a name tag, sitting at a table in a dark environment.

Man sitting on a red chair holding a microphone speaking on stage at an event with a large screen behind him.

A woman sitting on a pink armchair holding papers and contemplating, dressed in black pants, a patterned blazer, and black ankle boots with heels, on a stage with purple lighting.

A woman with glasses, wearing a black top and a patterned skirt, sits on a red chair on stage, holding a microphone and speaking. There is a water bottle and papers on her lap, and she is gesturing with her left hand.

A man wearing a checkered blazer, white shirt, and black bow tie sitting in an audience at an event, with others seated around him, illuminated with purple and pink lighting.

Group of five diverse people smiling at a conference or event, standing together in front of a dark curtain and colorful lighting.

Speakers

Smiling man with a shaved head and gray beard wearing a traditional African dashiki shirt, standing outdoors near a tree and brick building.

Keynote: Dr. Daniel Black

Author | Professor | Consultant | Mentor

Dr. Daniel Black is a 30-year professor of African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University. He is also an award-winning novelist, activist, mentor and public speaker. His published works include They Tell Me of Home, The Sacred Place, Perfect Peace, Twelve Gates to the City, The Coming, Listen to the Lambs, Don’t Cry for Me, and Black on Black. In 2014, he won the Distinguished Writer’s Award from the Mid-Atlantic Writer’s Association. The Go On Girl! National Book Club named him “Author of the Year” in 2011 for his best-selling novel Perfect Peace. Perfect Peace was also chosen as the 2014 selection for “If All Arkansas Read the Same Book” by the Arkansas Center for the Book at the Arkansas State Library. The novel has been reprinted more than ten times and is being heralded as an American literary classic. Dr. Black has been nominated (three times) for the Townsend Literary Prize, the Ernest J. Gaines Award, the Ferro-Grumbley Literary Prize, the Lambda Literary Award, he Georgia Author of the Year Prize, and the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award.
In 2015, Dr. Black’s The Coming was published to broad critical acclaim. The novel is a first-hand account of the trauma and triumph of Africans aboard a slave ship in the 16th century. Reviewers call this work “brilliant”, “poetic”, and “a literary homage to the lives of those Africans tossed into the sea.” National Book Award winner Charles Johnson says, “The Coming is powerful and brilliant.” He goes on to state, “This is a work to be proud of!” In 2016, Dr. Black’s long-awaited novel Listen to the Lambs was released. This novel explores the lives and agency of unhoused people who find each other on the street and create lives of meaning without material substance.
Dr. Black’s work has been justly celebrated. Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker says this about Perfect Peace: “It is a spellbinding novel that kept me reading late into several nights. A young boy raised as a girl until ‘she’ was eight years old…. and then? Forced to be a ‘boy.’ It is a gift to have so much passion, so much love, so much beautiful writing so flawlessly faithful to the language of ancestors who grappled as best they could with more than they could ever understand. This novel will one day be a film of much benefit to us, if done well. The visuals of it will help us see what we are so often blind to: the great fluidity inherent in all things, including ‘race’ and sexuality. Thank you, Daniel Black.”
Dr. Black’s newest novel, Don’t Cry For Me, was released by HarperCollins on February 1st, 2022. About this novel, National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward says, “Don’t Cry for Me is a perfect song: the epistolary dirge of a man singing to his son as he faces death by cancer. At turns intense and funny, tender and brutally honest, Jacob’s letter to his son, Isaac, is revelatory. It’s a beautiful book. Read it.” Black’s newest work is his first essay collection titled BLACK ON BLACK, which was released on January 30th, 2023. In response to this work, renowned Baldwin scholar Dr. Eddie Glaude says, “Black on Black is a tour de force. Brilliant. Passionate. Deeply caring. One reads these essays and feels immediately enveloped in Daniel Black’s love—even when he challenges you or when you might disagree. I really needed to read this book in these trying times.” Black also won the 2024 “Georgia Author of the Year Award” for Black on Black.
Dr. Black also works as a diversity consultant, having spoken at top-tier companies in America such as Google, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, AT&T, and Global Payments. He assists corporations with creating work environments in which all employees, of every level and difference, feel supported and valued.
A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Black spent his formative years in rural Blackwell, Arkansas. He graduated from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) where he earned the prestigious Oxford Modern British Studies fellowship and studied abroad at Oxford University. He was then awarded a full fellowship to Temple University where he studied with Black Arts Movement poet laureate Sonia Sanchez and, in 1992, earned a Ph.D. in African American Studies. Dr. Black has spent the majority of his 30 academic years as a professor of African American Studies at his beloved alma mater, Clark Atlanta University.
Dr. Black lives in Atlanta and is the founder of the Ndugu-Nzinga Rites of Passage Nation, an initiation society for people of African descent who seek to love themselves and build a world of character for their people.
In January of 2025, Dr. Black’s 8th novel will drop, a literary sequel to Don’t Cry for Me, titled Isaac’s Song. His 9th, Simon Says, is finished and forthcoming. He is currently at work on part II of The Coming titled The Second Coming and a black scripture titled The Good Book.

A woman with long red hair and glasses, wearing a navy blazer and a black top, sitting outdoors on a wooden bench with greenery in the background.

Panelist: Devon Chaffee

Executive Director, ACLU NH

As the Executive Director of the ACLU of New Hampshire since 2012, Devon Chaffee has overseen the organization’s major growth in membership and its success in protecting and defending civil rights in the Granite State.
Under her leadership, the ACLU of New Hampshire has made historic progress in the state, including repealing the death penalty, adding gender identity to the state’s nondiscrimination law, and enacting an overhaul of the state’s previous bail system. Devon’s fight for civil liberties in New Hampshire continues to be one focused on deepening relationships with communities impacted by injustice and disparities and fighting to create a more equitable Granite State for all.
Previously, Devon was in the National ACLU’s Washington D.C. Office, where she worked to stop biased policing, prisoner abuse, privacy violations, and free speech infringement. Prior to joining the ACLU, she served as Advocacy Counsel at Human Rights First, fighting against U.S. counter-terrorism and national security policies that violate human rights.
Devon has also served on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion (2018-2021), the Inter-branch Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice Legislative Commission (2017-2021), the NH Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (2017-2021), and was the former Chair of the ABA Subcommittee on National Security and Civil Liberties.
She received her J.D. magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center where she was a Public Interest Law Scholar, and received her B.A. from Hampshire College.

A man in a light blue dress shirt and gray pants standing outdoors in front of a wooden door and brick wall with green vines.

Panelist: Simon Delekta

Vice President of Community Engagement & Impact, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation

Simon Delekta is the vice president of community engagement and impact at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. He oversees the Foundation’s work in grantmaking, community partnerships and strategic initiatives.
Simon grew up in New England. His first job was as a soda jerk at the soda fountain of his family’s independent pharmacy in Warren, Rhode Island. He graduated from public high school in Rhode Island and then studied Spanish and Political Science at Bates College in Maine and earned a master’s degree in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University in Boston.
Simon joined the Charitable Foundation as a senior program officer in 2014. Prior to his work at the Foundation, Simon served as Global Philanthropic Advisor at The Philanthropic Initiative, an initiative of The Boston Foundation. He has served as Director of The Network for Engaged International Donors (formerly New England International Donors) and of the Community Foundation Global Giving Network. Simon’s experience in the nonprofit sector includes managing government and community affairs at the New York Public Library and serving as director of voter education and civic engagement for the New York League of Conservation Voters.
Simon lives in Portsmouth with his family, and since 2012 has been a proud “Big Brother” through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Moderator: Dr. R. Jamaal Downey

Board Member, NHCJE

R. Jamaal Downey is a dad to 5 children, son, brother, and avid meat smoker. He is currently an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of San Diego in the Shirley-Macos school of engineering as he is uncovering the scripts of whiteness within engineering education and research. He has lived in New Hampshire for over 25 years and considered this beautiful state his home.

A woman with curly, light brown hair, smiling, with a nose ring and hoop earrings, wearing a black top and a beaded necklace.

Panelist: Miranda Dupre

BIPOC Community Navigator, Vital Communities

Miranda Dupre joined Vital Communities as the BIPOC Community Navigator in June 2024 to foster a welcoming environment and support people of color in the Upper Valley on their journeys to home ownership and business ownership. A native of New Orleans, she made the move to the Upper Valley in 2022 to support her partner’s graduate studies, but has since found her home here. With a strong background in community engagement work and a Master’s in Environmental Justice, she is passionate about fostering community relationships and ensuring the futurity of the BIPOC community in her new home.

Panelist: Dr. Gisele C. Shorter

President & CEO, Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Dr. Gisele C. Shorter is the third President and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, which funds community-rooted educational transformation that challenges racial inequities and advances excellent, student-centered public education for all New England youth. Foundational to Gisele’s career is the deep belief that an equitable society starts with an equitable education system. Over the past 15 years, she has led large-scale community-based programs and research and policy initiatives to advance justice and equity, close health disparities and ensure access and opportunities for Black and Brown youth and communities to flourish. Dr. Shorter most recently served as the Director of the National Education Strategy at the Raikes Foundation, where she was responsible for impact and strategy coherence across the K-12, post-secondary, education field building, and policy portfolios. Dr. Shorter is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at NYU Steinhardt Department of Administration, Leadership, and Technology and founding faculty member of NYU’s EdD in Leadership and Innovation degree program. She advises doctoral students on a wide range of complex problems of practice, from the role of philanthropy in China’s evolving socio-political context to the role of district superintendents as agents for change.
Across all aspects of her work and life, Gisele is a tireless education justice and equity leader. She is unapologetically committed to 
- building will and demand at a community level for the ideas of education justice (high-quality education for all children) and equity (regardless of race, SES, etc.); 
- advancing mechanisms to interrogate and respond to who is least well served by the current education and youth-serving systems (defined equity imperatives, feedback loops to understand student experiences and needs, and identifying access and opportunity gaps); and 
- ensuring that trust in community-based solutions and innovation is met with impactful outcomes.
Dr. Shorter earned her doctorate in education from Columbia University Teachers College. She holds a master's degree from Long Island University and a bachelor's degree from Amherst College. She is a Pahara Aspen Fellow and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

Vendors

A smiling woman with short dark hair and large hoop earrings, wearing a black hoodie with pink writing, leaning on a wooden surface in an indoor setting.

Miriam Kovacs

Chef & Owner, Broken Spoon & Feenix

Miriam Kovacs is the chef and owner behind Broken Spoon, a beloved culinary gem in downtown Franklin, NH, known for its bold flavors, innovative fusion, and benevolent dedication to community. With a commitment to nourishing both soul and palate, Miriam is in the process of launching Feenix, a prepared meal service designed to bring comfort, connection, and care to busy individuals and families.
At the core of Miriam’s work is a dedication to hospitality, humanity and tradition—values that inspire every ingredient and concoction she brings to life in her humble kitchen. Chef Kovacs believes we are all conduits, this commitment is evidenced by her thoughtful, ethical ingredient sourcing, prioritizing local and hormone/antibiotic-free, sustainably farmed produce, and a conscious effort to avoid ingredients from regions suffering from extreme resource mismanagement. By centering sustainability and ethical food practices, Miriam ensures that each bite not only nourishes your soul, but also encourages a system that values people, animals, and our future.
Chef Kovacs is honored to cater for the New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity, providing food for the very leaders, advocates, and change-makers advocating to enforce a just and equitable future. Being trusted to feed those who uplift others is a blessing—and a responsibility she carries with pride.
Broken Spoon & Feenix stand are not business ventures; they are movements— commitments to declaring our right to thrive and exist in good health.

A male musician wearing sunglasses, a bandana, and a black shirt, playing an electric bass guitar on stage with colorful red, purple, pink, and blue curtains in the background, smiling.

Thomas Forbes

Thomas Forbes, Teeba

Teeba is a bassist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter hailing from Seacoast NH, USA.
Masterfully navigating diverse styles, and having collaborated with artists such as Eminem, DMX, Nas, Denaun Porter, Dave East, JID, DJ Drama, Ceelo Green, and more, Teeba's musical journey encompasses a rich tapestry of experiences, making him a sought-after collaborator in the industry.

Theo Martey

Director/Leader, Akwaaba Ensemble

Theo Nii Martey (also produces music as Emperor T-Jiga ) is a talented artist who was born and raised in Accra, Ghana, West Africa. Theo is a Drummer, Dancer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Producer, Performer, Teaching Artist, and Award recipient of the 2019 Governor’s Arts Award for Arts Education, and he was featured on New Hampshire Magazine who’s it for 2019 It list. Most recently Theo was featured in New Hampshire Magazine for Instruments of Peace for the 2022 February issue and was named the New Hampshire Artist Laureate for 2022-2024. His vibrant artist residencies give students an opportunity to experience hands-on West African drumming and a variety of dance styles. He has been on the Arts Council’s juried Arts Education Roster since 2005. Theo is an accomplished teacher of African drumming and dance and has receive numerous grants from the New England Foundation for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts to teach school residencies, workshops and performances in dozens of schools all over New England. He enjoys working in a variety of settings, with children and adults, making music, teaching rhythms and songs, and telling the stories behind the songs and the Ga’s tribe.
Theo is the founder and leader of the Akwaaba Ensemble, which has performed concerts throughout NH, Northeastern US, Mexico and Canada since 2002. Each show brings West African drumming, music and dance to vivid life with rhythmic styles and patterns specific to tribal groups of West Africa. Theo and the Akwaaba Ensemble have recorded two albums including “AKWAABA WELCOME HOME” and “JEI ELAAJE WO (LOST IN THE WORLD)”.
He has collaborated with Randy Armstrong’s & Volker Nahrmann Beyond Borders world fusion Ensemble, Steve Ferraris’ Root System, Dan Perkins and the Manchester Choral Society for the Zulu Mass and Christmas Tapestry project and New Hampshire Theatre Project for the Dreaming Again production and taught West African Drumming and Dance as an Adjunct Professor at UNH. Theo’s work has contributed to international diversity and cultural understanding throughout NH and New England. Whether he is onstage performing or leading a workshop, Theo says that making people feel welcome, which happens to be the Twi language’s meaning of “Akwaaba,” is the goal of everything that he does.

A young man in a white shirt and gray pants kneeling outdoors on grass, holding a camera with a zoom lens, surrounded by trees.

Matthew Anderson

Matthew Anderson Photography

Hi, I’m Matthew Anderson, a professional photographer based in Portland, Maine. With nine years of experience behind the lens, I specialize in capturing authentic moments that tell a story. Whether it’s an event, a portrait session, or a breathtaking landscape, I strive to create images that leave a lasting impact.
Beyond photography, I’m passionate about the outdoors—hiking, exploring lakes and beaches, and embracing the beauty of nature. I also love cooking and the creativity that comes with it. At the heart of everything I do is a deep belief in equality, kindness, and the power of love.