03/09/2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Mexico, March 9, 2017 - Governor Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) release a historic look at the “State of Black New Mexico”, through a data hub designed to give a greater advocacy voice to the 3.1% (64,448) Black population. The OAAA contracted the University of New Mexico Center for Education Policy Research to assist in the creation of an interactive online visualization depicting the disproportionate disparities Blacks face in our state.
The on-line data resource provides a single location for more than 50 different health, education, economic and socio-demographic indicators, providing users the means to extensively and quantitatively measure Black communities throughout New Mexico. Data made available is integrated and can be viewed for comparison across various national, state, county, district, and school level perspective. A wide range of data sources utilized are made publicly available by state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Office of Civil Rights, New Mexico Public Education Department, New Mexico Department of Health, New Mexico Corrections Department and the National Center for Education Statistics.
The “State of Black New Mexico” data hub will assist the governor’s administration, advocacy groups, direct service industries, state agencies and elected officials with increased awareness and understanding surrounding multi-dimensional issues facing this underserved population. “Where it has been previously difficult to obtain data, without searching multiple sources, the dash hub will provide statistics needed for targeted intervention strategies for African Americans in New Mexico. The data hub will assist in the on-going establishment of approaches that will strengthen collaborative networks and policy action, yielding sustainable, continuous initiatives.” – Yvette Kaufman-Bell, OAAA Executive Director.
The data hub will also allow the user to make comparisons between the Black population and other racial and ethnic sub-groups to identify potential gaps in services and resources among regional communities. Dr. Cathy Powers and student fellows of the RWJF Center for Health and Policy are working with the OAAA to release policy briefs that will help the agency determine further course of action.
For more information on the “State of Black New Mexico” Data Hub, contact the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs at (505) 383-6222 (OAAA) or visit the hub housed on the agency website at http://www.oaaa.state.nm.us/dashboards.aspx.
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The New Mexico Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) was enacted by the 44th New Mexico State Legislature in 1999 under House Bill 909. The mission of the agency is to study, identify and provide solutions to issues of concern, relevant to the African American Community. SOURCE: American Community Survey, 1 year estimates, 2008-15, Table DP05. The New Mexico Office of African American Affairs Data Hub http://www.oaaa.state.nm.us/population-dashboard.aspx.
