Data Day, “Journey to Justice,” Ignites Data-Driven Change in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI — October 25, 2023 — On October 18, Data You Can Use, the pioneering Milwaukee-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with data for the betterment of our communities, celebrated a decade of impactful change during its annual Data Day event. In addition to dynamic presentations throughout the day, Data You Can Use’s Executive Director, Dr. Victor Amaya, announced an exciting new partnership with WillBridge, a Milwaukee-based Public Benefit Corporation committed to using data and technology to propel social sector organizations towards community transformation.

The collaboration with WillBridge is set to usher in a new era of innovation, equipping Data You Can Use and its partner organizations with cutting-edge technological tools, resources, and expertise. The ultimate aim? To harness the power of data for informed decision-making and catalyze collaborative action, resulting in an even more profound positive impact on individuals, neighborhoods, and communities across our region.

Dr. Victor Amaya passionately expressed the significance of systemic change, stating, “It’s about transformation. Data serves as our lens, revealing intricate patterns, spotlighting disparities, and demystifying complex structures. It equips us to question, to challenge, and most importantly, to innovate.”

Data Day featured a lineup of inspiring keynote speakers, including Cashauna Hill, the National Executive Director of the Redress Movement, and Dr. Tonya Howard Calhoun, the Director of the Environmental Defense Fund’s Office of Community Collaboration and Engagement. Additionally, a diverse array of Milwaukee-based practitioners from the public, nonprofit, and academic sectors delivered compelling sessions throughout the event.

An exciting highlight was the “Data Dreams” competition, where three nonprofit organizations pitched their data-driven visions. Milwaukee Community Land Trust earned the Selection Committee’s accolade, while the People’s Choice Award went to the Milwaukee Food Council, as decided by an electronic vote during the event.

In a commitment to accessibility, Data You Can Use unveiled its innovative “neighborhood dashboards,” now readily available to the public through their website at datayoucanuse.org. This user-friendly tool will enable users to tap into valuable neighborhood data effortlessly.

Data Day welcomed over 300 civic leaders representing neighborhoods, nonprofits, universities, and the public sector, all eager to harness data’s potential for community betterment. The event began with an address by Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

Data Day and Data Dream were made possible by the generous support of major sponsors, including the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Bader Philanthropies, and the Zilber Family Foundation. A complete list of sponsors and presenters can be found at datayoucanuse.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.