Black Beyond Data Reading Group

The Black Beyond Data Reading Group is focused on exploring ideas around community-based data analytics (CBDA), a collaborative approach to data that involves community members in the collection, management, and analysis of data in their communities. The goal of CBDA is to increase knowledge and understanding of social issues that impact a given community and to integrate the knowledge gained with interventions for policy or social change benefiting community members.

What is data? Data are facts, statistics, and other basic units of information about a people, place, or community. They are the building blocks elected officials, policy-makers, organizers, and educators use to draw conclusions about how a community functions. Data is collected all the time, often without our conscious awareness of it and it could be anything from your birth date on a form to social media likes on Facebook. However, data can be so much more. That’s what we hope to explore in the readings.

The aim of the Black Beyond Data Reading Group is to gather people (researchers, faculty, community activists) who have an interest in Black community-based data analytics to critically research and study social issues to initiate transformative change in Black communities.

Community Data Stewards

Community Data Stewards (CDS) are individuals who use data practices for social justice and restorative change in the Reservoir Hill and Penn North neighborhoods. Data stewardship is a practice that ensures data is accessible, usable, safe, and trusted for communities in West Baltimore. Our cohort of Community Data Stewards played a key role in shaping our Community Data Hub project, an open-source data sharing platform at SFNC, and galvanizing the neighborhood around community-centered data practices.

The Community Data Stewards Program was a part of the Black Beyond Data Ecosystem, funded by the Mellon Foundation.

Community Data Hub

Our Mission

The Reservoir Hill and Penn North Archive is more than a collection of artifacts and memories; it is a testament to the strength, creativity, and resilience of the people who have called these neighborhoods home. Our mission is to document, celebrate, and amplify the voices and stories of black and brown community members who live, work, or worship in 21217.

Ownership and Community-Centric Approach

This archive is not just an archive; it is a community-owned space. The data within these digital walls belongs to the individuals who have contributed to its creation. We recognize the importance of community ownership in preserving the authenticity and integrity of our shared history. Residents, organizations, and institutions in 21217 are invited to actively participate in the cultivation of this archive, ensuring that it remains a true reflection of the community it represents.

Highlights and Emphasis

The Reservoir Hill and Penn North Archive places a deliberate emphasis on highlighting the achievements, struggles, and contributions of black and brown individuals. From stories of grassroots activism to the cultural impact of local artists, we aim to showcase the diversity and resilience of our community.

Explore the archive to discover untold narratives, view historical photographs, listen to oral histories, and engage with the multifaceted heritage of Reservoir Hill and Penn North. This living archive is a testament to the power of collective memory and the enduring strength of a community united by its history.