Co-authored the inaugural State of Our Data report which highlights different statistics and visualizations about people in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region that are in the data we maintain. Given that much of the data reflects marginalized or underserved communities, the report aims to equip changemakers with the tools, systems, and insights needed to address regional social, economic, and environmental challenges.

The data in the report represents real people and communities—and often captures them at their most vulnerable moments. This responsibility demands rigorous privacy protections and an ethical commitment to ensure that every insight we generate ultimately benefits the individuals behind the numbers.

Analysis of our holdings shows that Black, African American, and multi-racial residents are overrepresented relative to Mecklenburg County’s overall population, and that many are concentrated in lower-income “crescent” neighborhoods. Recognizing these patterns is essential for accurate research and interpretation, for diversifying our data partners and governance bodies, and for combining multiple data sources to fully reflect the experiences of all community members.

By linking records across programs and partners, we empower researchers, leaders, and advocates to identify service gaps, improve coordination, and better support those engaged with multiple systems. Importantly, because much of our data arises from people’s most challenging days, these connections also highlight which individuals and neighborhoods face the greatest barriers to the quality of life we strive to achieve for everyone.