Honoring the builders of mathematical thought

The contributions are
already in the equation.

A platform dedicated to Black and Brown math educators whose work has shaped classrooms, communities, and generations — hosted by Dr. Kyndall Brown.

Dr. Kyndall Brown

Dr. Kyndall Brown is a mathematics educator, advocate, and voice for equity in STEM. Through this platform, he brings visibility to Black and Brown educators who have made — and continue to make — meaningful contributions to mathematics education and society.

This is a space for educators, parents, and students alike. A place where the history of mathematical thinking is told in full, and the people who carried that knowledge forward are finally centered.

Read Dr. Brown's Commentary

Introduction from Dr. Brown

Educators Who Changed the Equation

From pioneering researchers to classroom teachers, these are the people whose work in mathematics education has rippled outward into communities, curricula, and lives.

Mathematician

Dr. Katherine Johnson

NASA Mathematician — Trajectory Analysis

Her orbital mechanics calculations made the first U.S. crewed spaceflights possible. Johnson's precision and insight became the literal foundation of American space exploration.

Full Profile
Educator & Author

Dr. Gloria Gilmer

Founder, Math-Tech Inc.

A champion of ethnomathematics and mathematical literacy, Dr. Gilmer dedicated her career to ensuring that Black students saw themselves as mathematical thinkers.

Full Profile
Researcher

Dr. Uri Treisman

Professor, University of Texas Austin

His Emerging Scholars Program transformed how universities support students of color in STEM, dismantling deficit narratives with data-driven collaborative learning models.

Full Profile
Curriculum Pioneer

Dr. Lee Stiff

Past President, NCTM

As the first Black president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Dr. Stiff reshaped national conversations about access, equity, and rigor in math education.

Full Profile
Advocate

Marian Dingle

Elementary Math Educator & Speaker

Marian Dingle centers identity, culture, and anti-racism in her classroom practice, pushing the field to reckon with who math is taught for and who it leaves behind.

Full Profile

Nominate an educator whose work deserves to be here.

Submit a Name

Interviews & Conversations

Sit-downs, keynotes, and conversations with educators who are doing the work right now.

Interview

Dr. Kyndall Brown in Conversation

Replace this with your video description.

Keynote

Mathematics as Liberation

What does it mean to teach math in a way that affirms rather than diminishes the identities of Black and Brown students?

Panel

The Equity Gap: Where Do We Go?

A roundtable on what structural change looks like at the classroom level.

Commentary & Perspective

All Posts

Why the Narrative About Black Students and Math Has Always Been Wrong

The data has never supported the story we've been told. What it does support is a pattern of systemic under-investment that gets misread as a capacity problem.

Read More

What African Mathematical Traditions Tell Us About Western Assumptions

From ancient Egypt to the Ishango bone — the math was always there.

Read

Parents: Here's What to Ask Your Child's Math Teacher

A practical guide for families who want to advocate without becoming adversaries.

Read

The Invisible Curriculum: What We Teach Kids About Who Math Is For

It's not always the lessons themselves. Sometimes it's everything around them.

Read

Games of Strategy, Heritage & Thought

These games are not just entertainment. They are living artifacts of mathematical thinking — developed across centuries on the African continent and still played today. Bring one home.

Mancala

West Africa

Mancala

The Game of Strategy and Wisdom

One of the world's oldest strategy games. Players move stones around the board in a game of counting, planning, and foresight — aiming to collect the most.

Shop on Amazon
Achi

Mande Region, West Africa

Achi

The Game of Alignment and Strategy

A traditional game of the Mande peoples. Players move pieces along lines, seeking to be first to form a straight line of three. Alignment, foresight, decision-making.

Shop on Amazon
Dara

Sahel Region, West Africa

Dara

The Game of Strategy and Capture

A game of placement, movement, and capture known for its simplicity and deep tactics. Players aim to form a line of three to capture their opponent's pieces.

Shop on Amazon
Shisima

Southeast Africa

Shisima

The Game of Strategy and Control

Believed to have originated in Southeast Africa, played in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Players move to form a straight line of three through the center.

Shop on Amazon

* Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, The Math Is Mathing may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Don't miss the next conversation.

New profiles, videos, and commentary from Dr. Brown — delivered to educators, parents, and students who want to stay in the know.