The City of Toronto’s Black community data governance framework addresses the need for inclusive and equitable data governance practices, ensuring that Black communities have a voice in how their data are collected, managed and used.
“The Black community data governance framework is designed to embody the opportunities and necessary actions to progress toward an equitable future, fostering thriving Black communities” (p. 11).
The City commissioned the Wellesley Institute and the Black Health Alliance to develop this framework, which was informed by a thorough literature review, consultations with various City divisions, and meaningful engagement with Black communities and experts through focus groups and an advisory circle. The framework contains:
- three principles, including accountability and transparency
- three objectives and areas of emphasis, such as building a “data ecosystem to track equitable outcomes”
- three outcomes, including centring “Black voices in decision-making on data” (p. 3)
The framework outlines actionable steps for the City of Toronto to follow, ensuring that race-based data reduces inequities faced by Black communities in areas such as health, education and employment. It also highlights the critical role that race-based data should play in the equitable design and delivery of city services and programs.
Public health practitioners and policy makers can use this framework to improve Black community data governance practices, including the use of race-based data in designing and delivering equitable policies, services and programs. The approaches discussed in this framework add value to public health practice by fostering community engagement in data governance to promote accountability and responsiveness to health needs of Black communities.
Use this resource to:
- Facilitate discussions on Black community data governance
- Develop strategies for equitable data use in services and programming
- Guide actions to engage Black communities in data decision-making
- Build trust and transparency in public health data collection and management practices
Alignment with NCCDH work
Access NCCDH resources on using health equity frameworks and addressing anti-Black racism:
- Health equity frameworks as a tool to support public health action: A rapid review of the literature (2023)
The NCCDH podcast Mind the Disruption has episodes relating to anti-Black racism.
See other resources on anti-Black racism.
See other resources on health equity frameworks.
Reference
Demeke, J., Worku, F., Sobers, M., Roche, B., Bailey, P., & McKenzie, K. (2023). City of Toronto Black community data governance framework. Wellesley Institute. https://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/City-of-Toronto-Black-Community-Data-Governance-Framework-Final-2024.pdf