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DataCenter

Unlocking the power of knowledge

for social change

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Mission Statement Revised Dec 2009

DataCenter unlocks the power of knowledge for social change.

We support grassroots organizing for justice and sustainability through strategic research, training and collaborations.

We use research to help move the knowledge and solutions of communities of color, indigenous communities and the poor from the margins to the center of decision-making.

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“Research”: How you create Political Legitimacy behind your voice as Experts

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We believe ‘Research Justice’ is Achieved when Communities have….

1. access to information/knowledge,2. control over information/knowledge,3. capacity for producing own knowledge,4. capacity for use of knowledge, and5. Influence to shape validity/legitimacy of

knowledge

…on equal footing with all institutions in society.

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The ‘Ecosystem of knowledge’

Mainstream knowledge: Mainstream knowledge:

Experiential knowledgeExperiential knowledgeCultural and

Community knowledgeCultural and

Community knowledge

Just & Sustainable Solutions

“Cooking greens!”

“getting out there & actually speaking for ourselves!” (because “we are the experts” of issues we face.)

“History of my family’s immigration to country,” how to survive and navigate the court system once caught up, etc.

“Census” “universities” “city

hall” “courts”

1. Movement-building through

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“When we apply the principles of

grassroots organizing to research, this is what it looks like.”

Qualitative Data Analysis to Identify Priority Issues for Young Khmer Women, Khmer Girls in Action, Long Beach, CA

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DataCenter coordinates Research by and for movement formations and popular efforts

“Academia Occupied by Occupy”April 30, 2012

“Research by and of Social Movements” by Sasha Costanza-Chock, MIT (DataCenter Advisor) and Christine Schweidler of DataCenter, at Republica Conference, Berlin, May 2012

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Time is now!

Wider stakeholder engagement to build a stronger movement

“Bridging” data, knowledge and consciousness across sectors, generations and cultures

Support accurate, bottom-up, disaggregated community data in policy analysis, policy-making and grant-making.

Strategic Presentations for Research Justice field-building

DataCenter is Jazzed… In 2011…

1. We trained 322 community members in their own research.

2. Our trainings reached an organizing base of 20,000.

3. We surpassed grassroots donor target by 9%!

And…We are turning 35 in 2013!

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The Critical Path: 2012-2014

1. Build a national platform for Research Justice agenda via the Research Justice Network (rooted in Social Justice Movement, and has multi-sector representation)

2. Strengthen DataCenter as a Movement Institution: Grow our Board, Advisory & Committees, and Infrastructure & Systems;

3. Programmatic Sustainability: 1. Strengthen Innovation/R&D/Technology as

Community Research accelerators;2. Resource, Grow & Sustain Program Services

(Strategic Initiatives with Academy, Health & Planning sectors)

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DataCenter Opportunities of Service and Partnerships!

Board of Directors Advisory Board (“Research Justice Partners”)

“Health advocates for Research Justice” Committees as Volunteer Members

Finance Committee Development Committee Major Gifts/Donor Program Advisory Committee Program Committee Talent Committee (HR) Etc….. TBD…with you!

DataCenter History Project Ad hoc projects: filming/media production; 35th anniv. planning

(2013); other partnership opportunities

Our Value Criteria for Our Growing Team

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• “I love Research!” (…it’s about producing Knowledge – and knowledge is power!)

• I believe grassroots communities have a right to conduct their own inquiries and generate their own knowledge – and expertise.

• I believe grassroots research capacity is key for building grassroots political power for change.

• I am interested in or work in a diverse, collaborative team environment.

• I have capacity to negotiate my commitments and then fulfill them or communicate changes in my capacity proactively.

• I am interested in being an ambassador for DataCenter and its Research Justice agenda to the public.