As national math achievement falters and Black contributions face renewed political attacks, Black Math Genius urges families, schools, and policymakers to invest in proven, community-based solutions modeled after the legacy of Bob Moses and the Algebra Project.
Nationwide — With math achievement still below pre-pandemic levels and public discourse increasingly shaped by political efforts to minimize Black history and contributions, Dr. Assata Moore, Founder and CEO of Black Math Genius, is calling for a renewed national commitment to mathematical literacy as a civil rights imperative.
Recent results from the Nation’s Report Card reveal the scale of the crisis. Between 2019 and 2022, national math scores dropped five points in fourth grade and eight points in eighth grade, the steepest declines in decades. While 2024 data shows a modest rebound in fourth grade, eighth-grade math achievement has largely stagnated, leaving millions of students without the foundational skills needed for advanced coursework, STEM careers, or economic mobility.
“These declines are not simply academic—they are structural,” said Dr. Moore. “When math outcomes fall, access to opportunity falls with them. In a moment when Black intellectual contributions are being challenged at the federal level, it is critical that we protect one of the most powerful tools for liberation: mathematical literacy.”
A familiar pattern—and a proven response
The current climate mirrors earlier periods in U.S. history when Black communities were forced to build parallel systems of educational excellence in response to exclusion. During the Civil Rights Movement, Bob Moses and the Algebra Project demonstrated that community-rooted, Black-led math initiatives could transform access to higher education and civic participation by treating math as a gatekeeper subject—not an elective.
Black Math Genius builds on this legacy by delivering high-impact, conceptually rigorous math tutoring grounded in discipline, reasoning, and identity—not remediation or test prep alone.
What the research shows
A growing body of national research confirms that high-impact tutoring—characterized by consistent scheduling, small group instruction, alignment to grade-level content, and strong relationships—produces some of the largest learning gains among academic interventions. When implemented with fidelity, these models outperform many large-scale programs that lack consistency or instructional coherence.
MMG’s model reflects these findings while centering cultural competence, accountability, and family partnership.
Demonstrated Impact Across Communities
To date, Black Math Genius has served over 5,000 families across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, partnering with schools and districts, including:
• Washington, D.C. Public Schools
• Alameda Unified School District (California)
• Jefferson County School District (West Virginia)
• Trios Brooklyn College
• Chicago-area schools and community organizations
Across these partnerships, MMG emphasizes:
• Grade-level rigor without lowered expectations
• Conceptual understanding paired with fluency
• Stable tutor–student relationships
• Clear communication with families
“Families are essential stakeholders, not spectators,” Dr. Moore added. “Students succeed when adults invest time, attention, and structure. Math achievement doesn’t improve by accident—it improves by design.”
AI, the Future, and Mathematical Power
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into education and the workforce, MMG emphasizes that mathematical literacy is a safeguard, not a liability. Students who understand math deeply are better equipped to analyze, verify, and direct AI systems—rather than be displaced by them.
“AI rewards reasoning,” said Dr. Moore. “The students who thrive will be those who can model problems, test assumptions, and think mathematically. That future belongs to mathematically literate communities.”
A Call to Action
Black Math Genius calls on:
• Families to prioritize consistent math learning and remain actively engaged in their children’s academic growth
• School and district leaders to invest in high-impact tutoring models that are sustained, accountable, and community-connected
• Philanthropic and civic partners to support Black-led educational organizations with demonstrated reach and results
“Math has always been a gatekeeper,” Dr. Moore concluded. “The question is whether we allow it to remain a barrier—or reclaim it as a bridge.”
About
Black Math Genius is a Black-led tutoring and academic support organization dedicated to restoring rigor, confidence, and long-term opportunity through high-impact mathematics instruction, family partnership, and community-rooted practice. Learn more at BlackMathGenius.com
For press inquiries, contact 718-791-2887 at tameko@mooremathgeniuses.com