Helping ordinary Americans solve tough problems with the Opportunity Project
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 5:24 am
My parents are immigrants. Both are doctors. American dream achieved, right? There’s more. Both of my siblings grew up to be doctors, too. At this point, it’s like we’re writing a patriotic PSA. I’m not a doctor, so I’ve never been entirely sure what role my character would play within this narrative. However, my family’s story has motivated me to find ways to help society move forward, solve tough problems faster, and create a better exchange of ideas and information between the government and the governed.
Last week I had the honor of speaking at the White House Open Data Summit about data.world’s efforts to improve data equality by increasing access to U.S. Census data. Today I’m back at the White House to present the Enhanced Opportunity Project Workspace. And while there’s plenty of first-generation American pride in the mix, it’s nothing compared to the optimism I’m feeling right now.
Here’s why.
DJ Patil, U.S. Chief Data Scientist, has described the Opportunity Project thusly:
The Opportunity Project is about unleashing the power of data to solve some of the toughest challenges our communities face, things like helping Americans build skills and find jobs, increasing india whatsapp number data transit options in low-income neighborhoods, and helping families navigate information on the quality of schools.
In practice, it brings together technologists as well as subject matter experts from government, nonprofits and the private sector to solve major social problems. Federal agencies identify problem areas as well as relevant open government data that technologists can use as a starting place.
Participating organizations range from large technology companies (e.g., LinkedIn, AirBnb) to nonprofits (e.g., Code for America, GreatSchools) to educational entities (e.g., University of Oregon, Data Society). Today marks the culmination of many months of hard work and I want to share a few of the 29 new digital tools that were showcased at the event.
Philadelphia School Community Resource Mapper
Data Society and Kitamba
With the Data Society and Kitamba teams at the White House
Having lived in Philadelphia and served on the Board of the Community Partnership School, I have seen up-close the challenge school administrators have in identifying new potential partner organizations in their community. Also, from my seat at data.world I understand the challenges of combining data from multiple sources, and this team used data from Census, Health and Human Services, the Institute for Museums and Library Services, the School District of Philadelphia, OpenPhillyData, and the state’s Department of Education.
Last week I had the honor of speaking at the White House Open Data Summit about data.world’s efforts to improve data equality by increasing access to U.S. Census data. Today I’m back at the White House to present the Enhanced Opportunity Project Workspace. And while there’s plenty of first-generation American pride in the mix, it’s nothing compared to the optimism I’m feeling right now.
Here’s why.
DJ Patil, U.S. Chief Data Scientist, has described the Opportunity Project thusly:
The Opportunity Project is about unleashing the power of data to solve some of the toughest challenges our communities face, things like helping Americans build skills and find jobs, increasing india whatsapp number data transit options in low-income neighborhoods, and helping families navigate information on the quality of schools.
In practice, it brings together technologists as well as subject matter experts from government, nonprofits and the private sector to solve major social problems. Federal agencies identify problem areas as well as relevant open government data that technologists can use as a starting place.
Participating organizations range from large technology companies (e.g., LinkedIn, AirBnb) to nonprofits (e.g., Code for America, GreatSchools) to educational entities (e.g., University of Oregon, Data Society). Today marks the culmination of many months of hard work and I want to share a few of the 29 new digital tools that were showcased at the event.
Philadelphia School Community Resource Mapper
Data Society and Kitamba
With the Data Society and Kitamba teams at the White House
Having lived in Philadelphia and served on the Board of the Community Partnership School, I have seen up-close the challenge school administrators have in identifying new potential partner organizations in their community. Also, from my seat at data.world I understand the challenges of combining data from multiple sources, and this team used data from Census, Health and Human Services, the Institute for Museums and Library Services, the School District of Philadelphia, OpenPhillyData, and the state’s Department of Education.