WS RISE Equity in Data and Research The mission of WS RISE is to develop and partner with community-led initiatives that eradicate all racial disparities for Black people. Our goal is to have the priorities broadly embraced in the Fall of 2022 so that the community can focus on the implementation and alignment of needed resources. The work will be built around eight key areas: civic engagement, criminal justice, economic development, education, food security, health and wellness, housing, and jobs and workforce development.

Data and research will be tools that are utilized in the discussion and planning of the work of WS RISE. To dive into the topic of community data and research, WS RISE is hosting a panel discussion that includes community data experts. The goal of the panel is to talk about what data is available (or not available) and what are the important things to consider when using and interpreting data, such as potential bias.

Featured guests on the panel will include:

• Alvin Atkinson, Center for the Study of Economic Mobility at Winston-Salem State University

• Russel Smith, Spatial Justice Institute at Winston-Salem State University

• Elizabeth Lees, Forsyth Futures

• Stephen Sills, National Institute of Minority Economic Development