| SHARON ATTIPOE-DORCOO (Indigenous Ewe native from Ghana), Principal, TERSHA LLC; Evaluation Focused Consulting

| NORMA MARTINEZ-RUBIN, Principal, TERSHA LLC; Evaluation Focused Consulting

When building decolonized data methods in the United States, it is imperative that there be practical tools for native and foreign-born perspectives. Our own practices are derived from pride in West African and Mexican ancestral roots, lived experiences as foreign born and first-generation “Americans,” formal training in the United States, and ongoing interest to enhance the quality of life for under-resourced racially  and ethnically diverse communities.

We are witnesses to communities not having been invited to contribute their opinions at the metaphorical discussion table of decision makers, or, when invited, not engaged as equal contributors. Thus, we created the I.M.P.A.C.T. framework to advance culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE) among multicultural, under resourced communities. This framework embraces an interdisciplinary approach to inform work in service to such communities. It can help illuminate the multifaceted contexts of various countries represented in community-oriented work. Further, the nuances that each community inhabits become additional tools among the plethora of capacity-building ones within a continent.
 
We recommend the I.M.P.A.C.T. framework as a guiding tool that fosters a mindset of reflection about the contextual appropriateness of data methods. The framework can help create a system of checks and balances for a practitioner to hold communities’ concerns a priori to methodological approaches. Furthermore, the simplicity of the I.M.P.A.C.T. framework encourages consideration for socio-cultural dimensions. Such forethought and awareness can potentially help advance community priorities.