Expanding Access to Impact Data Evaluation Tools: Encouraging Underrepresented Youth-Led Data Narratives

Abstract Information: Evaluators often run into the problem of failing to capture the unique perspectives and experiences of underrepresented youth groups resulting in a biased understanding of what the needs of the communities are as well as the impact of the programs designed to serve them. In light of this, how can we ensure that underrepresented youth are heard during designing and implementing community evaluation? This session showcases a thorough exploration of the core reasons behind this issue and its influence on equitable outcome data representation. Drawing on personal experience in the evaluation field, I will be introducing actionable strategies and insights designed to advance BIPOC youth-led evaluation framework within the philanthropy ecosystem. The essence of this workshop lies in acknowledging and addressing systemic barriers that youth who have been historically underrepresented face in evaluating their community needs and outcomes, be it language, culture, accessibility, discrimination, power dynamics or knowledge gaps. By doing so, I aim to equip young community development practitioners with the skills necessary to empower them not only to participate in but also lead the evaluation of their community’s efforts using their agency to advance their own unique perspectives and culture to shape their outcomes and narratives. The key components of this session include understanding barriers, skill development, narrative building for advocacy. The workshop will purposefully follow a Training of Trainers (TOT) model, emphasizing hands-on learning and empowerment among evaluation practitioners, especially emerging BIPOC evaluators. Through collaborative exercises and dialogues, participants will be introduced to simple yet effective quantitative and qualitative impact evaluation techniques, using accessible tools such as Microsoft Office Excel, Word, and Survey Forms, making it feasible for young evaluators of varying expertise to engage meaningfully in the process. Also, I aim to weave in the concept of data dashboards, presenting them not as distant, complex tools but as accessible, dynamic platforms for community storytelling and impact measurement. The purpose of this TOT workshopping model aims to amplify the session’s learning outcomes to extend its reach beyond initial audiences, equipping both novice and experienced evaluators with the tools to empower young community members in their communities. By the end, participants will be equipped to lead the dissemination of their own community stories, drawing on lived experiences and culturally relevant language.