City resident Kat Everett and partners plan to open cultural space called COCO Brown in Haverhill’s Mount Washington neighborhood this fall. (Jay Saulnier photograph for WHAV News)
Haverhill’s Kat Everett is ready to make big moves in her beloved Mount Washington neighborhood. The founder of the nonprofit POSE (Power of Self Education), Everett is teaming up with friends, family and local small businesses to create a cultural center on Washington Street called COCO Brown, set to open this fall.
Kat Everett
As Everett tells WHAV, her 850-square-foot location will serve as the hub for her POSE organization, with a bookstore, café and Montessori middle school coming in the next 12 months. Setting her new venture in Mount Washington was a no-brainer for Everett, who told WHAV she hopes the property will provide a shared cultural outpost for the black, Hispanic and Latino residents that call Mount Washington home.
“Most people that know me know Mount Washington is where my heart is,” Everett told WHAV. “When you look at Haverhill as a whole, there used to be vibrant spaces for culture and celebration. Coco Brown hopes to endeavor bringing that back.”
A priority for Everett and her partners—including Mary Guerrero of Lawrence’s El Taller, Wicked Big Café’s Mohamed Machkour, the Andover Bread Loaf program, and Haverhill residents Francellis and Miguel Quinones—is creating an all-ages space.
“Creating an inter-generational space is really important because communities of color and low-income communities tend to lack intergenerational wealth, so that’s a really important part of it as far as equity and economic development goes,” she told WHAV.
Launching what she calls a “home school cluster” version of the Wildflower Montessori model this fall when credentialing is finalized, Everett is leaning on educator Francellis Quinones to guide the curriculum. Everett and Quinones are most intrigued by the Wildflower model, she said, because of its commitment to the community and social justice.
Those interested in keeping up with COCO Brown—including potential investors—are asked to email Everett at [email protected].