Community Study to Understand Perspectives of Hispanic and Latino Residents of New Jersey
Client: New Jersey Historical Commission | Location: Trenton, NJ
We gathered community feedback from Hispanic and Latino communities in New Jersey to help the New Jersey Historical Commission better understand how New Jersey history and history organizations can be more inclusive for all.
OVERVIEW
In 2018 and 2019, we collaborated with the New Jersey Historical Commission for the first phase of their Understanding Communities Study, which sought to understand how New Jersey history organizations could serve their local communities by providing more inclusive histories. The study served as a tangible part of NJHC's overarching goals to deepen relationships with local Hispanic and Latino communities and support NJHC’s partners. The New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research, and Development were important advisors in this project.
Our work involved collecting feedback from members of Hispanic and Latino communities in New Jersey, an essential step for informed change.
APPROACH
We led three focus groups in three New Jersey cities (Paterson, New Brunswick, and Bridgeton). Participants all identified as Hispanic/Latino, resided in New Jersey, and engaged with local arts and/or cultural organizations or festivals in their free time, but not necessarily with history organizations.
To successfully identify and recruit participants, we collaborated with four partner organizations:
Cumberland County Cultural and Heritage Commission
Middlesex County Office of Art and History
Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission
Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council
CLIENT TAKEAWAYS
All focus groups discussed the importance of personal and family history, recognizing and valuing the need to record and share their local Hispanic and Latino history.
However, the groups also diverged, particularly with their interest in personally engaging in history work and in perceived barriers to NJHC opportunities. For example, Paterson participants expressed high interest and identified few barriers to pursuing NJHC opportunities. On the other hand, New Brunswick participants were highly skeptical of being able to participate in opportunities of NJHC not because of lack of interest in history but competing and more urgent pressures, such as living wages, which limit capacity to pursue grants for history or heritage purposes.
Identifying these barriers helped clarify NJHC’s goals for the future: identify funding structures that may help increase participation, leverage local partnerships to support local communities, and increase awareness of NJHC and its offerings.
