While we appreciate the Monitor’s correction to its article “City officials reject the work of an outside consultant hired to lead Concord’s diversity initiatives,” we appreciate the opportunity to speak in the voice of the Committee.
First and foremost, the currently named DEIJB Committee has not rejected the work of Racial Equity Group, the consultant hired to assist us with our work. In fact, no such vote was taken, nor need it be, since the consultant’s contract has been completed. We fully embrace REG’s report and, in particular, we will be meeting to discuss the possible implementation of the report’s recommendations.
Rabbi Nafshi, chair of the Committee, never stated that the report “was completely bad.” In fact, she stated at Tuesday’s meeting that that evening’s meeting was originally going to cover the possible implementation of the recommendations, but because of language in recently-signed HB 2, which outlaws diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in New Hampshire, the agenda was changed to a discussion of how to move forward – whether we needed to change the name of the Committee and its goals to comply with HB 2.
Rabbi Nafshi’s reference to “characteristic identifiers” related to how REG organized the individuals it spoke with in the focus groups, and the new law’s prohibitions on specific work that focuses on demographic outcomes using characteristic identifiers.
The final report, however, combined all comments from all of the focus groups without noting any characteristic identifiers. REG used the characteristic identifier method to organize focus groups because it has found in its work that individuals are more likely to speak openly and honestly when they are in groups with people who share their life experiences. We never took issue with the approach of REG, and Mayor Champlin never called the methodology “sketchy.”
Furthermore, the DEIJB Committee has not severed its ties with REG nor rejected a phase II. REG was hired for phase I, information gathering and report writing, and has completed this work. The Committee has always stated that it would discuss in the future whether or not to include REG in a phase II. Although we had not reached an ultimate decision, our discussions after we received the final report, and before HB 2 was signed into law, was that we probably could handle the implementation phase on our own, without assistance from any consultant. This will particularly be the case if such contracts are outlawed by HB2.
In addition, while the City held listening sessions in 2023, those who spoke did so in an ad hoc fashion and did not necessarily reflect a cross section of Concord’s residents. Nor were the participants asked questions about their experiences. The focus groups provided an opportunity for more in-depth information gathering with follow-up questions that dug deeper into personal experience. Focus groups are recognized as one of the most scientific methods for information gathering.
The Monitor’s initial reporting has given members of the community a skewed and inaccurate impression of the DEIJB Committee’s work to date, the value it places on the focus groups conducted by REG and committee members’ optimism for our community’s future. Issues of belonging and access are complex and sensitive. We are fortunate to have a committee of citizen volunteers deeply committed to pursuing these goals and a city council that supports them.
We only ask that the Concord Monitor report on the committee’s work accurately and consistently.
Rabbi Robin Nafshi is the chair of the Concord DEIJB Committee. Byron Champlin is the mayor of Concord. Ward 3 Councilor Jennifer Kretovic and Ward 8 Councilor Ali Sekou are members of the committee.