Stories from the HEZ

Please find here a teary, powerful and revealing conversation about what it is like to grow up as a black woman in Newport. Ellen Pinnock hosted the conversation with Phenomenal Women of Color including Nycole Matthews, Gabby Brown, Nat Harris, Niko Merrit, and Ajahne Greene. They all live in Newport’s North End and are involved in improving the quality of life for Newporters. These brave women discuss their challenges with education, health care, housing, and more.

Newport’s native son and legendary public servant Jimmy Winters says it's going to take time for us to get through this. “We all want the same thing. To eat, work and live together.” Jimmy is the president of the local chapter of the NAACP, founder of the Newport Housing Hotline, “The first one in America,” he is delighted to say. He served for 25-years as a community police officer in Newport. “ Jimmy says Newport should “work together with the goal of equity for all.” He suggests a series of public meetings to create a city-wide agenda.

A conversation with Rex and Dantai. Rex discusses their work as part the HEZ team working to increase awareness, equity and opportunity for the LBGTQ+ community in Newport. Dantai talks about growing up as a gay, black male. Thanks to the good folks at Working Cities and for producing this episode and Laura at the Creative Communities Collaborative for sharing their space and good vibes.

Nycole-mother or two, artist, activist, communicator, college student, resident of the HEZ, VISTA worker- talks with Steve about pushing through her shyness to move her life in a positive direction.

Jessica Walsh, Latisha Michel and Steve Heath discuss the origins of the Newport Heath Equity Zone. Jessica is the Director of Prevention for the Newport Women's Resource Center. Latisha is one of the original Newport residents who engaged in the program offerings and worked her way into a leadership role. Steve, FabNewport executive director, supported Jessica in the writing of the original grant to the RI Department of Health.