Jennifer Zhang

Jennifer Zhang is a Senior Research and Data Analyst at Catalyst California. She is passionate about using data analysis as a tool for uplifting community experiences and creating tools for systemic change. In her role, she analyzes quantitative and qualitative data from various data sources to expose racial disparities and increase representation for groups that are marginalized by systemic oppression.  She is especially interested in projects focused on police stops data and using data to validate community experiences with police violence and profiling. In addition to data analysis, Jennifer is often creating interactive maps and data visualizations to ensure that data is shared in a way that reflects community experience and creates the biggest impact.  

Outside of her role at Catalyst California, Jennifer is passionate about supporting mutual aid networks in Los Angeles and other social justice endeavors. She volunteered with the UCLA COVID Behind Bars initiative, which advocated for better health conditions for people in the prison system during the COVID-19 pandemic and she contributes to the Los Angeles Mutual Aid Network.  

Jennifer received her bachelor's degree in public health from U.C. Berkeley and her master's in public policy from U.C. Los Angeles. She is originally from San Diego, California.  

Project Examples: 

• The Nonprofit Partnership State of the Child 
• End Gang Profiling in Southeast San Diego: Data and Stories from Community Members 
• Racial Bias in Policing: An In-Depth Analysis of Stopping Practices by the Long Beach Police Department 
• Reimagining Community Safety in California