Detroit Digital Equity
The Digital Equity Data Trust is a collaborative initiative between Data Driven Detroit (D3), the City of Detroit, Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD), and partner organizations working to bridge the digital divide. This initiative seeks to enhance the City’s ability to allocate resources effectively to make collective progress in bridging the digital divide.
Our Mission
To provide accessible, high-quality information and analysis to drive informed decision-making.
Data enables us to more objectively understand our community. Using data, we can have informed conversations about the current state of our community, how to best deliver resources, and create the deepest impact.
We Value
Unbiased access to data.
We Exist
To provide equitable access to information and help our community make better decisions.
We Serve
Anyone seeking information to make more informed decisions, including nonprofit organizations, foundations, universities, governments, businesses, and individuals.
We Believe
That behind every data point is a living, breathing person.
What is a Data Trust?
When working on big social issues like bridging the digital divide, various organizations—including nonprofits, for-profits, and local government—often focus on similar challenges. Each of these organizations make progress and gather valuable insights. A data trust seeks to collect and join this data together to develop a clearer understanding of what is occurring across the city. This helps identify gaps in services, improve collaboration, and support smarter, data-informed decisions. The purpose of a data trust is to bring together organizations working on similar issues and allow them to share data securely and confidentially, so they can work together more effectively and improve systems.
Why is D3 Involved?
It can be difficult for organizations to share data directly due to limited resources for data analytics, as well as the high level of trust required to share sensitive information. As a neutral third party, Data Driven Detroit can play a key role by collecting, de-identifying, and aggregating data. This approach allows for democratic and data-driven decision making while protecting confidentiality.
Data Collection Objectives
We are seeking the following information from participating organizations:
- Training Programs Offered: Details about training sessions you provide that include digital skills components (i.e. a high level summary of topics covered, frequency of the training, and lessons learned).
- Attendance Records: Data on participant demographics and attendance to assess the reach of your programs.
- Survey Instruments: Samples of any surveys or assessment tools you use to evaluate participants’ current digital skills, satisfaction with the programming, or other topics related to digital equity.
Our Goals
By gathering this data, we aim to:
- Identify Service Gaps: Recognize underserved populations and areas lacking adequate training resources.
- Develop Best Practices: Formulate evidence-based recommendations to enhance digital skills training programs in Detroit.
Your participation is crucial in helping us create a more digitally inclusive society.
What data do I need to send and how do I send it?
A D3 Data Analyst will work with your organization to identify, prepare, and assist you in uploading your data. This is a pilot program for the Digital Equity Data Trust, so we’re in the early stages of learning what approaches work best. We’re exploring solutions and are committed to building a process that is both effective and respectful of everyone’s needs.
Have questions?
If you have questions or concerns let us know! If you need a little bit more help figuring out what to do, we’re ready to help!