CONTACT: Ayanna A. King ayanna@blackequitypgh.org (412) 609-4481
Black Equity Coalition is awarded $20k for the Open Data for Good Grand Challenge under the Health and COVID-19 section from the US Census Pittsburgh, PA, December 15, 2021 – Black Equity Coalition was awarded $20k from the US Census for the Open Data for Good Grand Challenge under the Health and COVID-19 section for their innovative Allegheny County Data Dashboard that was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The judges noted that the tool was exceptional, innovative and a great example of open data toolmaking. The award submission was led by valued partners from the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center (WPRDC), Director Mr. Robert Gradeck. Dr. Tiffany Gary-Webb of the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health was extremely excited as the BEC Data Team was actively engaged in watching the YouTube awards ceremony- waiting for the announcement of the winners for the Open Data for Good Challenge under the Health and COVID-19 section. She stated, “This is a great acknowledgement of the dedication and hard work of the BEC Data Working Group. Our goal of making data accessible to everyone in Pittsburgh is critical and has been beneficial for the city, county, and state government. Most importantly, having regular updates and posts on our website for Black residents to access and learn more about what is happening in their communities is truly what is important to us.” We are extremely grateful for all of the wonderful partners who participate in weekly meetings and continue with the enthusiasm to make data more accessible to Pittsburgh’s Black communities.” For more information about the Black Equity Coalition and its Data Committee, please contact Ayanna King at (412) 609-4481 or go to www.blackequitypgh.org today. The Black Equity Coalition (BEC) grew from a group of concerned colleagues who came together in April 2020 to discuss the disproportionate COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths among the Black people in comparison to White people in Allegheny County and Nationally. For more than 100 weeks, the BEC has been working in groups that focus in different areas, including data, community health, business, and community engagement. The BEC Data Working Group is responsible for developing the Allegheny County COVID-19 Dashboard and they are individuals working for the University of Pittsburgh’s Western PA Regional Data Center (WPRDC) Center and Center for Health Equity (CHE), Carnegie Mellon’s Create Lab, Heinz Endowments, The Forbes Funds, POISE Foundation, Pittsburgh Foundation, Healthy Start,