This Black History Month, we are celebrating the extraordinary contribution of Black mathematicians towards the advancement of mathematics.
For Black History Month 2024, we are asking a hand-picked selection of prominent living Black mathematicians what Black History Month means to them, as well as their Black maths hero.
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Justice Moses K. Aheto
Associate Professor, University of Ghana
What does Black History Month mean to you?
It means so much to me as a Black Person because it provides the springboard to appreciate and to celebrate the excellent and inspirational contributions of Black people to the world. Specifically, it provides the forum to highlights the substantial but hidden achievements and critical role that Black people played and will increasingly continue to play in the society globally as descendants of Africa, and to honour our unsung heroes of blessed memory (ancestors) for their greatness and perseverance in the presence of all the injustices and hostilities they faced. It also provides the opportunity to demystify the myths about the Black identity, our great history and prowess, and to reflect on the more struggles ahead of the Black people to be dealt with by recognizing how far the Blacks have come and how far we must go. Finally, it provides us a unique platform to take stock of our strengths and weaknesses to fill the weakness gaps and to sustain our strengths for the development of the World.
Who is your black maths icon/hero?
Thomas Fuller (1710-1790)
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Imoleayomide Ajayi
Loughborough University
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month means that I am represented, seen, and valued. It is a time when the rich history, contributions, and experiences of Black people are not just acknowledged but celebrated. This month serves as a powerful reminder that our stories matter and deserve recognition. It provides an opportunity for reflection on how far we’ve come and inspires me to continue contributing to the legacy of resilience, excellence, and innovation that defines Black history.
Who is your Black maths icon/hero?
Grace Alele Williams is my Black maths hero. She was the first Nigerian woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics, a pioneering educator, and an advocate for the empowerment of women through education. Her leadership in transforming education in Nigeria, especially in promoting women’s involvement in STEM, is deeply inspiring to me. Her legacy continues to motivate young African women to pursue their passions and excel in fields traditionally dominated by men.
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Nathalie Ayi
Associate Professor, Sorbonne Université, Institut Universitaire de France
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month gives me the opportunity to discover figures who have unjustly remained in the shadows. I am glad they finally gain the recognition they deserve for their remarkable contributions to advancing sciences. It's a chance to celebrate their achievements, acknowledge the barriers they overcame, and reflect on how their work has shaped our world today.
Who is your black maths icon/hero?
My Black maths hero is Katherine Johnson, precisely for all the reasons I’ve mentioned earlier. She was an invaluable asset in several NASA missions, all while the United States was still deep in racial segregation. I find it truly admirable that she was able to rise to such a high level despite an extremely hostile historical context. Her mathematical brilliance and resilience in the face of systemic discrimination make her an inspiring figure for me.
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Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE
What does Black History Month mean to you?
At first Black History Month meant to me was a celebration of past Black achievement. Then in 2022 an incident occurred that change my mind.
In October 2022, Black History Month, I was invited to go a give a talk at a School in Brixton, London where 95% of its pupils are Black. On arrival, the school's representative told me that last year they had Stormzy (the British Rapper and global superstar) came and spoke to them. I said, "oh dear, no pressure!" Some of the comments from the pupils when they heard that a mathematician was coming, was "what on earth has mathematics to do with Black History Month?". Despite this, I gave my talk The Black Heroes of Mathematics - the story of how I and others became a mathematician despite the barriers placed before us. I gave the 200+ audience this rousing conclusion that said this:
"Sometimes, the world may marginalise you, overlook you, ignore you and even push you to one side. However, please remember one thing. You don't need anybody's permission to be a great mathematician!"
On hearing those words, every pupil started screaming and/or crying with joy. It was that moment I realised that Black History Month is not about the past, it is about the future too! To make this place a better world for everybody to live in,
Afterwards, I was surrounded by a large number of pupils, getting selfies and getting me to sign their maths books. One of the pupil came up to me and said, "Sir you are much better than Stormzy!" I said to him " Thank you so much, but please don't tell Stormzy that, as I do not want him to challenge me to a rap battle!"
Who is your black maths icon/hero
William Schieffelin Claytor one of the best mathematicians of his generation of any colour.
Edray Goins - I love reading his blog Diary of a Black Mathematician when I was a PhD student
Katherine Johnson - Her story was depicted in film Hidden Figures.
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Flavia H. Santos
Lecturer, Institute of Education, University College London
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month reminds us that despite barriers, scientific excellence has always existed among our ancestors and is our true inheritance—not slavery.
Who is your black maths icon/hero?
Prof Nira Chamberlain has achieved academic, scientific, and industry accolades. I highlight his dedication to making mathematics accessible to everyone. Likewise, I commend Dr Angela Tabiri, a mathematician, mathematics educator, and science communicator, for cultivating a passion for mathematics among African girls.
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Teresa Senyah
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month to me is an opportunity to pause and reflect on achievements and rich history of Black people around the world. It is a month dedicated to discovering and rediscovering history which has been forgotten or actively suppressed and a chance to celebrate what has already been accomplished and to inspire this generation and future generations to build on the foundation of the past and make history of their own.
Who is your black maths icon/hero?
In terms of mathematics, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson who were depicted in the film ‘Hidden Figures’ would be black women who I admire. They were incredible mathematicians and engineers who worked at NASA and were integral to the space programme in the 1960s. Their story represented in ‘Hidden Figures’ was inspiring to me as a recent Mathematics graduate at the time.
More generally, my heroes would be my grandparents - it’s not directed to maths, it’s more about resilience.
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Angela Tabiri
Research Associate and Academic Manager, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Ghana
What does Black History Month mean to me?
Black History Month is a reminder of the progress we have made in promoting diversity and inclusion. This also inspires me to initiate creative solutions to improve the representation of black people in diverse careers.
Who is your black maths icon/hero?
Katherine Johnson is my Black Hero of Mathematics