Plus, one of our yearslong transparency battles with the federal government has finally paid off.

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** THE WEEKLY REVEAL
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Saturday, April 22, 2023

Hello! In this issue:
* Part two of our new series ([link removed]) explores the lack of data and testing when COVID-19 hit the United States.

* The government has just released the biggest trove of corporate diversity data ever made public.
* A controversial figure from the Ayotzinapa investigation speaks out.
* One of our reporters is honored for her work covering sexual assault.


** THIS WEEK’S PODCAST
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** The COVID Tracking Project Part 2
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In episode two of our new three-part series, The COVID Tracking Project ([link removed]) , series host Jessica Malaty Rivera and reporters Artis Curiskis and Kara Oehler ask a profound question: Why was there no good U.S. data about COVID-19?

In March 2020, White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx had a daunting task for technologist Amy Gleason, a new member of her data team. Her job was to figure out where people were testing positive for COVID-19 across the country, how many were in hospitals and how many had died from the disease.

Gleason was shocked to find that data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wasn’t reflecting the immediate impact of the coronavirus.

Realizing that the federal government was failing to collect national data, reporters at The Atlantic formed The COVID Tracking Project. Across all 50 states, hundreds of volunteers begin gathering crucial information on the number of cases, deaths and hospitalizations. Each day, they compiled the state COVID-19 data in a massive spreadsheet, creating the nation’s most reliable picture of the spread of the deadly disease.

At the same time, the country was suffering from another huge shortfall that complicated the need for good data: a lack of COVID-19 tests ([link removed]) . The CDC had created only 75,000 tests and had no plans to create the millions needed to make testing available nationwide.
Listen to the episode ([link removed])
🎧 Other places to listen: Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) , Spotify ([link removed]) , Google Podcasts ([link removed]) , Stitcher ([link removed]) or wherever you get your podcasts.


** RELATED
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📝 The COVID Tracking Project ([link removed]) at The Atlantic


** NEW
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** No Longer a Trade Secret: Diversity Data From the Country’s Mega Contractors
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by Jayme Fraser, Nick Penzenstadler and Will Evans
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** Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel attends a meeting with President Donald Trump, members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and pharmaceutical executives at the White House in March 2020. Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
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We’ve been fighting for years to get the federal government to share data on the diversity of the companies it contracts with. On Monday, those efforts finally paid off: The Department of Labor released the corporate diversity reports of more than 19,000 federal contractors.

The reports show that executives at companies that receive billions of dollars in federal contracts were less likely to reflect America’s diversity than their employees, according to a first-ever analysis ([link removed]) by USA TODAY and Reveal.

People of color were underrepresented among executives at these corporations compared with the rest of their workforce, the analysis showed. And women were less likely than men to break into top ranks, particularly those of color.

The data is the largest trove of corporate diversity information ever made public. More than 4,000 companies have objected to releasing their reports, and their information remains in limbo pending further litigation.

The disparities highlight ([link removed]) how tax dollars can reinforce gaps in wealth and opportunity for women and people of color. Joseph Bryant Jr., who leads the Rainbow PUSH Silicon Valley diversity project founded by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, said public money should advance equity in the country.

“Either the government should be giving more money to minority businesses or the government should be giving money to businesses that make diversity and inclusion a priority,” he said.
Read the full story ([link removed])
Taking on powerful interests demands lots of time, a strong backbone and your support. Donate to keep us going ([link removed]) .


** What's Happening In The News - With a Reveal Context
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** On-the-Run Investigator in Ayotzinapa Case Speaks Out
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Tomás Zerón is Mexico’s former lead investigator in the Ayotzinapa case ([link removed]) . After a new investigator gathered evidence that showed Zerón had ordered the torture of suspects in the forced disappearance of 43 college students in 2014, he fled to Israel.

Zerón gave a public interview to an Israeli magazine, summarized here ([link removed]) by our partners at the National Security Archive.


** INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
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** Reveal’s Rachel de Leon Honored for Reporting
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** Left to right: End Violence Against Women International President Ann Burdges, founder Joanne Archambault, Reveal reporter Rachel de Leon and director of research Kim Lonsway. Credit: Emma Mannion
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Reporter/producer Rachel de Leon received the award for media excellence at the 2023 International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Fighting for Change ([link removed]) . The conference took place April 11-13 in Chicago. She also gave a keynote presentation: “She Made a Report of Rape and Ended up in Handcuffs.”

De Leon’s investigation is the subject of a forthcoming documentary, “Victim/Suspect ([link removed]) ,” which debuts May 23 on Netflix.


** RELATED
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🎧 From Victim To Suspect ([link removed])


** In Case You Missed It
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[link removed]
🎧 Havana Syndrome ([link removed])
[link removed]
🎧Listening in on Russia’s War in Ukraine ([link removed])
This issue of The Weekly Reveal was written by Kate Howard and Kassie Navarro, and edited by Nikki Frick. If you enjoyed this issue, forward it to a friend ([link removed]) . Have some thoughts? Drop us a line (mailto:[email protected]) with feedback or ideas!

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