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JustData is an educational media non-profit. We work across communities–the boundaries made by race, gender, class, politics, and borders–to create educational programs for all of us. Building on the belief that everyone has something to teach and that there is always one more thing to learn, our mission is to help Scholars take their knowledge and reimagine it with others for others. By fostering lifelong accessible learning as an ethos, we challenge the idea of what a comprehensive education is and for whom it helps. 

Our Team

  • Vannessa Velez

    Board Member, JustData

    Affiliation: Stanford University

    Vannessa is a Ph.D. candidate in U.S. history at Stanford University with a deep interest in racial capitalism, science and technology studies, and urban environmental inequality. She brings her expertise to JustData's board, helping the organization secure funding and expand its impact.

    Her dissertation focuses on metro Atlanta’s rapid economic development from 1949 to 1996, a period that saw the city emerge as a global hub and the celebrated "Black Mecca" for African American business and culture. This progress, however, came with significant environmental and social costs for Atlanta’s most vulnerable communities, a legacy the city continues to address today.

  • Christina Griffith

    Title: Writer and Community Storytelling Specialist

    Affiliation:The Philadelphia Citizen

    Christina Griffith is a skilled writer with a passion for storytelling that inspires change. As a contributor to The Philadelphia Citizen, Christina brings a wealth of experience in crafting narratives that connect with communities and highlight solutions to pressing challenges.

    Christina plays a pivotal role in shaping the stories of our Scholars and helping to bridge the gap between research, lived experience, and accessible education. Her expertise in narrative construction and community engagement helps JustData amplify the voices of those often overlooked in traditional education models.

    Christina’s dedication to meaningful storytelling aligns perfectly with JustData’s mission to create educational programs that foster learning and connection across boundaries.

    Fun Fact: When she’s not writing, Christina enjoys exploring Philadelphia’s history and discovering new ways to bring its stories to life.

  • Dustin Michels

    Title: Digital Tools and Data Visualization Specialist


    Passions: Urban Planning, Comedy, and Building Better Cities

    Dustin Michels is a software engineer, bike commuter, and believer in the power of better cities. With a passion for creating equitable, sustainable, vibrant urban spaces, Dustin brings a unique perspective to JustData’s mission.

    Beyond their technical skills, Dustin is a creative force with a love for comedy, performance, and improv, which informs their approach to problem-solving and collaboration. They believe in making learning and storytelling both impactful and fun.

    Fun Fact: When not coding or exploring city life, you might find Dustin on stage, experimenting with improv comedy or dreaming up ways to make urban spaces more beautiful, safe, and exciting.

Kelcey Gibbons is a historian of technology, and Ph.D. candidate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.