Celebrate Black History Month by learning about three amazing Black mathematicians. Find these profiles - and 50 more! - in a ready-to-go slide deck.

Check out the Math in Action slide deck!

Dr. Torina Lewis

Dr. Lewis is the Associate Executive Director at American Mathematical Society. She earned her PhD in mathematics, focused on combinatorics, from the University of Mississippi in 2010.

Watch this interview from MEET a Mathematician

Possible Discussion Questions

• What sparked Dr. Lewis’ interest in becoming a mathematician?
• Describe Dr. Lewis’ current work and goals.
• Dr. Lewis says she thinks it’s important that “whatever you say publicly, you back it up privately”. What does that mean? How have you seen that show up in your life?
• What is Dr. Lewis’ proudest accomplishment?

Dr. Oluwasegun Micheal Ibrahim

Dr. Ibrahim is a researcher at University of Texas at Austin with a PhD in applied mathematics. He is “a passionate advocate for public health and infectious disease research.”(from his UT Austin bio)

Read this profile from Mathematically Gifted and Black

Possible Discussion Questions

• What 2 experiences shaped Dr. Ibrahim’s interest in mathematics?
• What is one of Dr. Ibrahim’s proudest accomplishments?
• Dr. Ibrahim played a role in “developing weekly estimates and four-week-ahead forecasts of COVID-19” Why might this kind of mathematical model be important?

Dr. Euphemia Lofton Haynes

Dr. Haynes was a prominent educator, leader, and advocate for Black students. She was the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics in 1943.

Read this profile of Dr. Haynes from Black Past

Possible Discussion Questions

• What is one way that Dr. Haynes was a leader? What do you think makes a good leader?
• What impact(s) did Dr. Haynes have on the education system?

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson

Kathryn (she/her) is excited to join the NGPF team after 9 years of experience in education as a mentor, tutor, and special education teacher. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in policy analysis and management and has a master's degree in education from Brooklyn College. Kathryn is looking forward to bringing her passion for accessibility and educational justice into curriculum design at NGPF. During her free time, Kathryn loves embarking on cooking projects, walking around her Seattle neighborhood with her dog, or lounging in a hammock with a book.