Computational Notebook as a Tool for Supporting Black Engineers Non-Profit Organizations in the Context of Workforce Participation
Vagner Figuerêdo de Santana, Lauren Thomas Quigley, Jessica Coates, Maxine Graves · 2024
Data is frequently referred to as the ‘new oil’ due to its high strategic value and the possibilities it brings. Additionally, its use by powerful organizations has the potential to help, but also to cause harm and function as an additional oppressive mechanism towards vulnerable communities. Hence, there is a need for providing easier methods for people and organizations to access, analyze, and interpret reliable, publicly available data (e.g., U.S. Census), and create data narratives that reflect their social position in the society and inform how to improve that position. In this case study, we document our journey on using computational notebooks to increase autonomy for organizations tackling racial and social justice issues by making meaningful use of publicly available data. The project considered a participatory action research approach run in partnership with a non-profit organization supporting Black engineers. The reported case study involved participants representing staff and volunteer leadership of the organization. We expect that the presented reflections help move towards a more equitable way of performing data analysis while using popular and freely available technologies.