11-23-26 Data Justice, Disability Inclusion, and Community Governance in Pittsburgh

Speaker: Nyota N. Robinson, MPW

The purpose of the lecture is to explore the need for greater inclusion, accurate representation, advocacy, awareness, and community engagement in data justice efforts by the Disability Community. Participants will consider why Disability, Black, and Brown communities must be meaningfully involved in the ways public institutions and data collection entities collect, store, share, interpret, and act on data.

Lecture participants will learn about the past work of the Community Data Justice Collaborative and Access Mob’s participation as a member of the Data Justice Coalition in Pittsburgh, PA. The lecture will examine how people with disabilities, along with Black, Brown, and other marginalized communities, are often affected by the intersection of social determinants of health, technology, economic stability, neighborhood conditions, and institutional racism. It will highlight how these factors have historically limited full participation in data collection, governance, and decision-making processes.

This work was built on the Community Data Justice Collaborative, funded by a $1.1 million de Beaumont Foundation MADE for Health Justice grant, which supported opportunities for marginalized neighborhoods and residents to contribute to data justice conversations. Locally, the effort was spearheaded by the Black Equity Coalition in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh worked with local community partners in response to health disparities and the lack of transparent race and ethnicity data during the early COVID-19 pandemic in Allegheny County. Through the Data Justice Project and related community-led efforts, the lecture connects data, technology, public policy, and health equity while emphasizing the importance of resident participation in shaping more equitable and just data practices.

Join us for our upcoming Community Lecture Night! This will be online only. Please register for the event here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/17UUtHZ6T_yzHovR6Ll0Pw

  • When: Monday, November 23rd, from 6:00-7:30 PM
  • Where: Zoom AND streaming on YouTube
  • Meeting Accessibility:
    • There will be sign language interpreters and closed captioning available on Zoom.
    • Chat will be disabled on Zoom during the lecture to better serve people using screen readers. Participants will still be able to message the hosts.
    • When it comes time for the Q&A, people may ask by messaging in the chat so the host can read it out loud or by raising their hand on Zoom so the host can call on them to ask by voice or by ASL.
    • For more information, check out our Technical Info page.

If anyone has any other access needs please contact accessmobpittsburgh@gmail.com as soon as possible, but no later than November 18th.

Speaker Biography:

Nyota N. Robinson, MPW

President & CEO of Bill Robinson and Associates

Nyota N. Robinson, MPW, is a mission-minded advocate and professional writer. She has been
dedicated to promoting civic engagement and discourse concerning public policy and advocacy for more
than two decades. Nyota’s efforts are reflected in her continued involvement with GOTV, (Get Out the
Vote) efforts, organizing, mentoring, and public speaking. Currently, she co-hosts a twice-monthly radio
show ‘B-PEP Community Moments’ on WGBN 1360 AM and 98.9 FM.

Over the years, Nyota’s professional and volunteer positions have engaged and encouraged
stakeholders, non-profits and government bodies to work together to address international, statewide,
and local issues concerning: Education, Disability Rights, health and public policy, women’s rights, and
DEI. Her commitment to social justice and public policies concerning the Disability Community was
acknowledged by her historic vote as the first Woman Vice-Chair of the Disability Issues Caucus for the
Young Democrats of America in 2005. Since that time, Nyota has held other leadership positions and
supported many other social justice efforts; including joining Access Mob as a board member. Recently,
Nyota was accepted into the inaugural 2026 Southwestern PA Disability Lead Institute Fellowship
Program.

Educationally, Nyota earned her Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University and a Bachelor
of Arts in English from Point Park University. She is also a proud graduate of Community College of
Allegheny County and resident of The Historic Hill District. Nyota’s advocacy work now has evolved into
being a mom and advocating for Autism awareness and public policies that support thriving families.

Funding for this lecture comes from a grant from the Opportunity Fund.