Data Democracy
Allison Plyer is a nationally recognized expert in post-Katrina demographics and New Orleans recovery trends. Allison spearheaded the City of New Orleans' challenge to the Census Bureau's 2007 and 2008 population estimates, resulting in a nearly 75,000 person adjustment to the Bureau's estimates resulting in approximately $60 million in additional federal funds for education, law enforcement, child care, food assistance, homeless assistance, mental health services, and more for New Orleanians. She has presented on "New Orleans' recovery according to the numbers" to audiences ranging from New Orleans neighborhood groups to the White House. Allison has learned that data is critical in a crisis for dispelling rumors and bringing people together around a common set of facts — and that creativity is required to truly democratize the data.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)