In-Depth FAQs

Below are some questions that have come up frequently that may provide a more in-depth look into Shonni's candidacy.

Feel free to reach out via the Contact page if you like! 

Can you share more about your professional background?

Before relocating to Exeter from Los Angeles in 2020, I was a Theatre Lecturer and Director in the largest public university system in California. In July 2024, I founded a community-centered organization – BIPOC Kids on the Block LLC – which facilitates free and low-cost meetups for youth of color, their families, and allies. Additionally in 2024, I joined the Board of the Players’ Ring Theatre in Portsmouth, where I also serve as Artistic Committee Chair and help shape the mainstage season of performances.  Most recently, I joined the NH Perinatal Quality Collaborative as a Local Coalition Team Member. The NHPQC advocates for birthing people across the state to ensure positive birth outcomes.

Do you have past political experience?

I am not a political figure; this will be the first time I run for anything outside of exercise. But New Hampshire is unique in that it empowers “regular folks” to participate in change-making processes, and so I am.

Why are you running for elected office?

I decided to run for Exeter Elementary School Board because my eldest child will be entering Main Street School in the Fall, and with all the anticipated federal changes, I wanted to advocate for the children of my community. There have been some wonderful strides made, and being elected to the Board means that I can add my distinct perspective to ensure that progress continues. I also hope that my running is an aspirational experience – an opportunity for those in our community who are marginalized to feel empowered to make their voices heard.

How will your skills/background contribute to the position you are running for?

I know, like most, the value of high-quality public education. I doubled down on my commitment to public education by earning my degrees at public universities. However, having taught in public schools and higher ed institutions, I have the first-hand knowledge of how poor policy can stifle educators’ passion and creativity and deprive students of essential tools necessary for academic success. Advocating for my students over the years, and for youth of color and their families now, has added to my uniquely wide perspective that will be critical in the delicate balancing act of keeping our teachers committed, our children engaged, and our community united.  

What are your views about diversity, equity and inclusion in schools?

Schools, and in particular public schools, should encapsulate the characteristics of a community. School is often where children first learn how to interact, problem-solve, and communicate across barriers with those who differ from themselves and their family members. With a rapidly growing youth of color population, the steady rise in disability among youth, and the discrimination that LGBTQ+ youth face, in Exeter and across the state of NH, I believe it is imperative that we continue the valuable work in our schools that promote genuine fairness, kind acceptance, and celebration of distinctions honoring all of the people that represent the fabric of our community, our state, and our country. DEI is an acronym--it can be erased, "abolished." But consistent, strong values are what truly sustain dignity and progress.