Mountain Voices | The Changing Face of Winter: Diverse Faces Confronting the Gap with Benjamin Bacote and Matt Skoby

Marginalized peoples have traditionally been slow to enjoy the benefits of American society and here in the White Mountains where national downward trends in overall health or education don’t seem to apply, this trend, in fact, applies.  With data analysis from “New Hampshire’s Growing Population” data provided by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, along with, personal narratives – provided by young recreators of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities – we will use visuals – to help “confront the gap” in representation, and foster a more inclusive belonging in winter outdoor spaces.  Over our twenty plus years of experience working and recreating in the NH winters, we have observed the ways in which diversity has been tokenized, throttled into obscurity, or embraced.  We have seen those effects play out in youths' lives from the deleterious effects to life enhancing fulfillment and, we are incredibly excited to share our stories with you. 

This event will be hybrid. To receive a Zoom link, please register HERE.

Ben Bacote is a queer, black, educator, writer, and dad living in Campton, NH. Ben taught Humanities at Waterville Academy for 19 years, wrote for Concord Monitor’s 3-Minute Civics column, and is the proud parent of three kids. Most recently, Ben's writing has been featured in NH Magazine, 603 Diversity Magazine, and by outdoor gear company, Cotopaxi. He is deeply engaged with young people through their work and strives to create a space in which kids can learn to think critically and to develop their own voices. Originally from North Carolina, Ben moved here to attend Plymouth State University, where he earned his BA. In 2019 Bacote graduated again from Southern New Hampshire University with an MA in English. Then, in the Spring of 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, he followed his eldest child onto the town common to protest; this inspired the founding of NHPANTHERs. Ben hopes to help create widespread, systemic change by engaging his community at the local level and following the lead of today’s youth.  

Matt Skoby is a lifelong athlete, educator, parent and resident of Concord, NH where he teaches and is the Head of the English Department.  Matt has six years of experience leading guided outdoor adventures for high school students through a course called R.O.P.E. - reaching our potential in education.