Pittsburgh and the Black Equity Coalition (BEC) Data Justice Working Group has formed a Community Data Justice Collaborative (CDJC) as part of the Data Justice Project.

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The project is designed to ensure that marginalized and historically excluded communities have a voice in shaping how data is collected, shared, and used. It is an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation’s MADE for Health Justice Program.

“Pittsburgh is made up of many diverse communities, but we know that in most cases not everyone is afforded a seat at the table,” Mayor Ed Gainey said. “This is our way of saying no more. As we seek to make decisions that impact our residents, we want to be sure that the data we collect is inclusive of everyone, and this initiative will ensure that.”

The collaborative was created following a nomination process that drew on input from communities that are often underrepresented or misrepresented in data.

The CDJC is an effort by the city and BEC to include democratic input on data governance. It brings together a diverse group of 12-18 members selected from a pool of community-nominated candidates.

The committee overseeing the selection process prioritized individuals and organizations that represent communities often excluded from the data landscape. Its aim was to ensure that the collaborative reflected a wide variety of voices, experiences, and expertise.

About the BEC

The BEC is a coalition of physicians, social scientists, civic community leaders, philanthropists, and academics. It is committed to working on matters of racial equity by addressing the social determinants of health in Black and Brown communities.