Update from MEASURE
INTRODUCTIONS
Before we get into the Main Event, let’s do an introduction. If you’ve been through this song and dance or you have a short attention span (hey, I get it) feel free to jump straight to the Main Event.
Hello, my name is Yasmine Smith and I have the great pleasure of being MEASURE’s Chief of Development. So, what is MEASURE you may ask? Well here’s us in a snap-shot. If you’re more a visual person, there’s a video below!
ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION
Motto: Numbers You Can Trust
Mission: MEASURE’s mission is to bridge divisions through data and public education in active partnership with local communities to address complex social problems.
Objective: MEASURE’s objective is to leverage quantitative and qualitative information, in the form of research and education, as a tool to bridge divisions and empower communities to address complex social problems. We ask impacted communities to become active participants in the process of changing the statistics.
WHAT WE DO…
MEASURE seeks to change behaviors, laws, policies and ordinances as they pertain to interactions with people of color. The organization’s work is data driven as it strives to use fact-based research and advocacy on behalf of certain segments of the populace. MEASURE’s efforts are innovative within the ecosystem of social justice entities as it encourages people of color to be the data collectors and storytellers.
Far too often biased data feeds the narrative about marginalized communities. MEASURE seeks to empower people impacted by substandard data and the related narrative by allowing the people to own the information gathered about them, and to tell their own story unabridged.
MEASURE uniquely partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), local community colleges and other colleges and universities to create a new pipeline of Black and Brown researchers and data storytellers.
THE PEOPLE WE SERVE
MEASURE seeks to serve underrepresented communities primarily in Austin, TX as well as other cities across the world through shared research, best practices and community participatory action events.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE OF MEASURE?
MEASURE’s staff is made up predominantly of volunteers. We have lawyers, doctors, activists, police officers, students, professors, web designers and technology experts on our team. When authorized, MEASURE volunteers may serve as independent contractors. We also have a full C-Suite who are co-founders of the organization that serve as researchers and planners. MEASURE is committed to building a demographically diverse team of people who believe in the power of solid data to address problems.
Highlights
Since the last blog post MEASURE has been busy! Most notable, MEASURE’s Founder and President, Mr.s Meme Styles, was a keynote speaker at Mission Capital’s Data Institute. Next, MEASURE will be going to Prairie View A&M University to discuss interacting with law enforcement with students.
Asks
Right now MEASURE is prioritizing elevating the voices of underserved communities in Austin. MEASURE seeks to hold a Winter Holiday Dinner during the month of December and is specifically looking for an in-kind donation for food and drinks. If you know of an organization that would be interested in enabling the work of MEASURE, please send them our way (they can personally reach me at yasmine@measureaustin.com).
On this note, MEASURE is also seeking general funds to continue our work in community policing, mobility from poverty, and safe and healthy schools. If MEASURE’s mission or our work inspires you, please consider donating here.
