A new Hampshire where justice and equity prevail

In any given week, Anthony Poore might be presenting at a law enforcement conference, working with members of the judiciary on a diversity and inclusion initiative, helping school administrators to advance equity in education and coordinating volunteers delivering critical health and safety information in multiple languages around Manchester neighborhoods.

Anthony is president and CEO of the newly launched New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity.

Here’s the premise: Everyone in New Hampshire is better off when everyone can belong and contribute.

Right now, too many things get in the way of that ideal for too many Granite Staters, like substandard housing that affects health, underfunded schools that correspond with poorer academic outcomes, unequal treatment in the justice system, and more.

The Center grew from the decade-long Race & Equity in New Hampshire series sponsored by the Endowment for Health. Working groups from that endeavor have focused on addressing issues and systems from civic engagement to economic development, education, government, health and law enforcement and criminal justice. That work provides the foundation for the new nonprofit, which is focused on addressing the root causes of inequity in New Hampshire through public policy advocacy, community organizing, support and capacity-building for the state’s justice- and equity-focused organizations and supporting community-based programs and initiatives.

The work is monumental, and generational, and urgent — and requires collaboration among dozens of entities.

The emergence of the Center for Justice & Equity comes at a pivotal time. New Hampshire is aging, but also enjoying growing racial and ethnic diversity in every county. Twenty percent of people under 18 in New Hampshire are people of color.

The Charitable Foundation has made a substantial, multiyear grant to support the Center’s work. Foundation program officer Sandeep Bikram Shah serves on its board.

The goal, said Anthony, is clear: “A New Hampshire where, regardless of who you love or how big your pocketbook is or what your race or country of origin or native language is, you can contribute to the greater good and feel like you belong here.”