“What does Asian-centric data storytelling look like, and how can it uplift narratives within communities themselves?” Bianchi Mendez Dy, a data storyteller for The Kontinentalist, posed this question when she spoke as a guest speaker at “Pizza, Press, and Politics”, a speaker series hosted by Northeastern University’s School of Journalism.

Dy, who is pursuing her master’s degree in city planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, formerly worked with The Kontinentalist in Singapore. The publication aims to “help people understand Asia by visualizing data.” They do this by utilizing charts, illustrations, and even data physicalizations to make academic research accessible and engaging.

Quoting Pei Ying Loh, the co-founder of The Kontinentalist, Dy shared, “if she can change one person’s mind, like a water droplet falling in a pond, then she would have done her job.” This philosophy is at the heart of Dy’s work and aspirations, highlighting the power of storytelling in data journalism and urban planning.

The Kontinentalist’s focus on Asian-centric narratives covering diverse topics such as social justice, culture, and environmental issues reflects a conscious decision to delve into perennial topics rather than chasing the fleeting nature of breaking news. “We choose to focus on topics that are more evergreen, and things that  resonate across not just Singapore but everywhere else,” Dy mentioned . 

The Kontinentalist’s organizational structure has a collaborative essence that spans editorial, design, and development sectors. Dy went on to detail her role in blending these disciplines, contributing to the early stages of research and story development to craft compelling data visualizations and narratives. 

For some Asian stories, Dy said that “data is still heavily curated,” leading to a narrow selection of records that is often not told by the Asians themselves. 

“You get very specific stories coming out of official mouthpieces of the government or student organizations. And that means that many stories get lost or never get told,” Dy said. This results in a skewed portrayal of Asia, a region rich in diversity that cannot be encapsulated as a monolith. She shared her personal connection to the subject, stating, “I look Chinese but I’m a Southeast Asian,” underscoring the complexity and varied experiences within Asian cultures that are often overlooked or generalized.

Dy further discussed the mission-driven approach of her organization, which partners with cause-driven entities such as Oxfam to tell untold stories without the influence of advertisements or financial motivations. “None of them are kind of paid for, none of them are advertisements; we’ll never put ads on the website,” Dy said.

Through collaborations with organizations like Oxfam and ​​the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Dy’s team focuses on making complex data and research accessible, and relatable. An example she provided was the story of Rohingya refugees, which was handled with sensitivity and care, often opting for illustrations over photographs to protect identities. 

“Exercising sensitivity means you don’t use photos – use illustrations instead,” Dy said, highlighting the importance of ethical storytelling. This approach not only respects the dignity of those sharing their stories but also helps to bridge the gap between the reader and the subject matter, making for more engaging and impactful narratives.

For Dy, a significant turning point came with a data journalism project about women’s safety and mobility in South and Southeast Asia, a topic that deeply resonated with her and reinforced her desire to pursue a Master’s in City Planning. 

“You can’t walk away from hearing all these people’s stories and not wanting to do something,” Dy said, reflecting on her commitment to making urban planning more inclusive and responsive to the needs of women. This project collaborated with various organizations and used the team’s multilingual capabilities to gather a broad range of perspectives, with the ultimate goal of envisioning a more utopian cityscape that serves its population equally.

“Do not leave a story with doom and gloom. Give people a way to think or rather a path to think about things, or give them a call to action at the end,” Dy said.