How Two Friends Navigate Being Young Black Men In A Mostly White N.H. Town
Nick Sanderson, left, and Will Krug, right, have been friends for more than 15 years. The two are high school seniors, and together they’ve navigated life as young black men in a predominately white area. Photo by Daniela Allee for NHPR
Schouler Park sits in the middle of North Conway, right along the main strip of shops and restaurants. There’s the scenic railroad station. Families throw baseballs and couples sit and chat on benches.
On this field, Will Krug and Nick Sanderson have made lots of memories playing flag football.
“Will had the ball, and he was running full speed, and I was running full speed,” Nick grinned as he described this play by play. “And we full on collided, smacked each other… It was pretty fun.”
Nick and Will laugh. They’re both high school seniors, and they’ve been best friends for pretty much for their whole lives.
“He’s always there for me,” Nick said.
Will considers Nick his brother.
The two have also had to deal with the fact that they live in a town and area that’s 94 percent white.
They’re both black, both adopted by white parents.