Jazzy Smith

Jazzy is an educator, community builder, and artist with deep cross-sector experience spanning academia, K–12 education, the nonprofit sector, and the arts. She brings a strong foundation in operational knowledge and a people-centered approach to systems-building, always guided by a commitment to equity and inclusion.

At BetaNYC, Jazzy leads efforts to make open data accessible and meaningful for all New Yorkers. Through curriculum development in the BetaNYC Civic Innovation Lab, she works to demystify data and empower communities—especially those historically excluded from technical spaces—to engage in civic technology and public interest mapping.

Jazzy is known for cultivating welcoming, inclusive spaces and for championing the idea that curiosity and lived experience are as valuable as credentials. She believes that asking the right questions is often more powerful than having all the answers. Her work challenges the barriers—real and perceived—that prevent people from participating in open data and mapping movements.

In her free time, Jazzy enjoys horror films, spending time with her friends, exploring all things cheese-related, and imagining healing futures.