Beyond 'Hidden Figures' Nurturing New Black and Latino Math Whizzes

An article posted by the NY Times on 2/17, shed some light on BEAM 6, a summer program targeted toward low-income, mathematically bright black and Latino students in New York City. BEAM 6 focuses on creative problem-solving, rather than standardized tests or material required within the school year. The summer camp aims are reducing the gap created by racial stereotypes and socioeconomic status, to increase opportunities, self-efficacy and spark a love for math in their students.

Mathematicians, educators and business leaders, who are all mathematically minded, are considerably homogeneous professions, with the vast majority being Caucasian or Asian. They see this homogeneity as "directly linked to the striking underrepresentation of blacks and Latinos in high-paying, high-status jobs in finance, science and technology." BEAM 6 focuses on low-income, black and Latino students from New York City.

While the article relates the students to those represented in the movie Hidden Figures, the author describes less obvious obstacles to achievement in math for African American and Latino students, including prejudice and assumptions about financial power, respect and stereotypes about who is good at what. The article uses Jonathon, an 11-year-old participant to explain both the power of the program and some of the common hesitations of the students and their parents. A notable quote regarding Jonathon's mother's hesitation to put him in BEAM 7 this coming summer read, "As police shootings of black men continued and Donald J. Trump moved into the White House, Jonathan’s mother had started to question her belief in the power of math to provide her son with a buffer." Kids, even at age 11, parents, and educators recognize the barriers and gap for these students, but are striving to instill hope and forge a path for a better future. (Bonus, the article contains a link to five of the sample questions these 11- and 12-year-olds work on during the program.)


Harmon, A. (2017, February 17). Beyond 'Hidden Figures':Nurturing new black and Latino math whizzes. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/nyregion/new-york-math-camp.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Feducation&action=click&contentCollection=education&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0