Focus Areas
Beauty Justice
A 2009 study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group found that the blood of newborn African American, Hispanic and Asian children had over 200 chemicals. We believe that consumers have the right to know what is in the personal care products, such as soap, lotions and fragrances we use daily. We also believe that consumers should not be responsible for shopping their way to protect themselves and their loved ones, especially since safer products are often more expensive and unavailable in lower-income and predominantly Black and Brown communities.
We continue to work with our strategic partners, which include consumers, researchers, advocates and salon workers, to push for more exposure prevention and affordable and accessible alternatives.
Learn about our successful collaborative campaign to urge Johnson & Johnson to remove cancer-link talc baby powder from the global market.
FenclineData.org
In partnership with Public Health Watch, DataKind and under the Fiscal Sponsorship of Material Research, UJDP is developing a free database where journalists and, eventually, the public can search for and find information on chemical facilities in their area. This database will shorten journalists' time in finding story-worthy information for reporting. When the database expands to the community, they can use it to protect their loved ones and communities.
Access the website here.
Science Communication
UJDP is committed to language justice, with the belief that over-technical communication is a danger to public health
We and our partners are committed to making scientific information free and accessible to the public. We do not believe we are “dumbing it down.” We are making it accessible.
UJDP had multiple projects, including assisting students with creating the AirJusticeLou website and plans and funder interests to develop a science communication/journalistic training program using information from the chemical facility database. UJDP also works with students at the University of Louisville for interviews and analyses series of blogs and op-ed pieces, with the possibility of these pieces appearing on the Courier-Journal website.
Research United Data Core
The Research United Data Core (RU Data Core) carries the initials of our founder’s father, Reginald Unseld, who nurtured her curiosity as a child and encouraged her to observe and ask questions. This is a nine-member national collaborative nesting within the infrastructure of Coming Clean and co-led by UJDP and Coming Clean. The goals of this initiative include supporting and sustaining community-led and community-serving research that is accessible, actionable and open access. The RU Data Core will move responsively to assist communities most impacted by climate change and environmental racism through free data consulting, effective communication strategy, and providing training to use research in advocacy. It will use the train-from-within approach, where communities will teach other communities research methods, with assistance from the Data Core, if necessary. Communities will also receive education on necessary legal, certifications, and insurance needs.
There are current plans and funder interests in soft-launching this in Kentucky, starting with the organization Rubbertown for Emergency ACTion in West Louisville, where around a dozen of Title V Risk Management Plan facilities pollute the predominantly Black surrounding communities every day. UJDP hopes to formalize partnerships with two researchers at the University of Kentucky. One is from Eastern KY and the other has strong community connections in Eastern Kentucky to ensure our work is community-led.
Data Consulting
Whether it is finding reputable references, assisting in understanding existing data, calling out data gaps or effective communication and advocacy planning, UJDP is here to help with your organization’s data needs. We can also lead webinars on issues around data justice and data advocacy. Contact us for rates.