42 Providing the geographic context to turn such lived experiences into actionable information has become a compelling part of the NAACP’s work. Maps and geospatial data quantify the scope of discrimination’s damage in specific locations. Linking personal experiences to those locations on a map can reveal patterns and trends across time and space. “We know that the oral tradition and the narrative tradition matter in communities of color,” Rushing said. “How do you add layers to amplify and connect the dots both in terms of visuals and data? How do you show the story of a family in Jackson dealing with a water crisis and connect it to a family in Baltimore who is dealing with a different type of water crisis— ecoli in the water—and to a family in Flint? How do we connect this to civic engagement? How do we link this to supportive policies and institutions?” NAACP leaders look to infuse more data and data science into the organization’s research and programs to bring stories of injustice to light more accurately and authoritatively. They also see storytelling with maps as a powerful means of shifting policies and countering deficit narratives—those that place Black people as caricatures or victims instead of presenting a complete history that includes accomplishments and a true representation of the diversity within African American communities. With maps and the ability to aggregate lived experiences, the stories themselves become the thing that shapes public policy, and the public policy becomes the narrative of the people. —Yumeka Rushing, NAACP’s chief strategy officer Mapping the Movement The NAACP has begun modernizing with GIS technology’s visually engaging maps, web apps, data analysis tools, dashboards, and digital surveys. These tools give the organization a knowledge-generating, location-aware infrastructure for fine-tuning its business operations and racial justice work. Evolving piece by piece, NAACP’s Mapping the Movement strategy will be implemented across four focus areas: 1. Improve strategy and impact. Compiling location data to guide planning and decision-making will help the NAACP, and partners in other racial justice organizations and programs, understand how to effectively move resources to where they are needed most and measure the impact of their programs and work. The water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, began in late August 2022 after the Pearl River flooded and infrastructure failed. Here volunteers pass out water to residents left without a safe source. Image courtesy of NAACP.
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