Breaking Barriers: The State of Black Arizona Unveils Game-Changing Dashboard to Drive Progress

Breaking Barriers: The State of Black Arizona Unveils Game-Changing Dashboard to Drive Progress

First-of-its-kind interactive tool empowers communities with real-time data to spark meaningful change for Black Arizonans

PHOENIX, AZ – The State of Black Arizona (SBAZ) has launched the Volume V Progress Metrics Dashboard, a groundbreaking tool for tracking key metrics impacting Black Arizonans. Developed in partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA), the dashboard provides real-time insights into education, economic opportunity, healthcare, infrastructure, and civic life. It builds on the findings of Volume V: Driving Local Investment in Black Arizonans, released in October 2021 in collaboration with CFA, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, the Black Chamber of Arizona, the Greater Phoenix Urban League and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.

The dashboard’s purpose is to serve as a guiding resource to address systemic disparities affecting Black Arizonans and their ability to thrive within the state’s economy and communities. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black Arizonans, the publication and its accompanying dashboard highlight priority areas identified through a survey and community conversations with more than 100 local residents. The dashboard provides a clear framework for stakeholders to make data-informed decisions that foster education equity, economic empowerment, improved health outcomes, increased access to essential services and enhanced civic engagement.

“The launch of this interactive dashboard is more than just a data tool. It’s a beacon for progress. By leveraging the insights from Volume V: Driving Local Investment in Black Arizonans, we empower stakeholders to turn data into meaningful change,” said Teniqua Broughton, CEO of The State of Black Arizona. “This dashboard provides accountability, ensuring that community leaders, policymakers and businesses work collaboratively to address systemic disparities and create real opportunities. Progress happens when data moves beyond numbers and becomes a catalyst for action. Together, we can advance equity and build a future where Black Arizonans thrive.”

Tracking Progress Across Key Areas

The interactive dashboard provides detailed data in five priority areas:

• Education: Metrics include third-grade reading proficiency, eighth-grade math proficiency, high school graduation rates, post-secondary enrollment, college completion rates, and post-secondary attainment.
• Economy: Includes labor force participation, unemployment rate, median household income, and homeownership rate.
• Infrastructure: Measures broadband access and access to personal vehicles.
• Healthcare: Tracks health insurance coverage and access to personal physicians.
• Civic Life: Reports on voter registration and voter participation rates.

Key Findings

The Volume V Progress Metrics Dashboard highlights key disparities affecting Black Arizonans and areas for targeted action. Education gaps persist, with Black high school graduates enrolling in college at similar rates as others but eight percent less likely to complete a degree. Economic disparities remain, with a seven percent unemployment rate compared to four percent statewide. Homeownership is significantly lower (38 percent vs. 68 percent), limiting wealth-building opportunities. Infrastructure challenges include lower personal vehicle access (92 percent vs. 96 percent). In healthcare, Black Arizonans have comparable insurance rates but are less likely to have a primary care provider. Civic participation also lags, with lower voter registration (64 percent) and turnout (42 percent) than the state average. These findings underscore the need for focused efforts to advance equity and opportunity.

Next Steps: Shaping the Future with Volume VI

The insights gained from Volume V and the Progress Metrics Dashboard will inform the development of Volume VI, shaped by the community’s response, engagement and feedback. As SBAZ continues to advocate for equity and systemic change, this data-driven approach ensures that efforts remain targeted and effective.

About The State of Black Arizona

The State of Black Arizona (SBAZ) is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing equity, opportunity and representation for Black Arizonans through data-driven research, policy advocacy, and community engagement. Since its founding, SBAZ has served as a vital resource for policymakers, business leaders, educators and community stakeholders by providing insightful publications, strategic initiatives and collaborative programs addressing systemic disparities.

Through partnerships with public and private sector leaders, SBAZ works to drive meaningful investments in areas such as education, economic development, healthcare, civic participation, and infrastructure. By equipping communities with actionable data and fostering dialogue, SBAZ serves as a pillar for progress, ensuring Black Arizonans have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.

To learn more, visit stateofblackarizona.org.