Real-World Math With a Culturally Relevant Twist for Black Girls

• In Event: Black Girls Thriving: Exploring How Confidence Is Catalyzed in Three Community STEM-Based Organizations

Abstract

[BLIND] is a movement to increase math confidence, enthusiasm, persistence, agency, and fluency in children, with a focus on girls and Black children, who are disproportionately impacted by math anxiety. Our flagship product is the [BLIND] Box, which is the first and only monthly subscription box designed to increase math confidence and decrease math anxiety in girls on a 3rd-8th grade math level. We also offer math confidence workshops and conduct speaking engagements to youth. Inspired by the Curb Cut Effect, which posits that solving for the most marginalized benefits society as a whole, [BLIND] seeks to address the specific challenges faced by Black girls in overcoming math anxiety and pursuing STEM education and careers.
Each [BLIND] box is thoughtfully curated to address the factors contributing to low math confidence and high math anxiety. Each box is based on a real-world theme, anchored by the inspiring story of a Black woman mathematician. Some of the Black women featured include practicing mathematicians, such as Dr. Gloria Gilmer (1928-2021), mathematics educators, such as Dr. Crystal Morton and Dr. Nicole Joseph, and Black women in the workforce, such as Mya Harvard, a product manager at Twitter and Co-Founder of Shea’d. This approach helps Black girls see themselves as capable math learners, fostering a strong math identity and illustrating the relevance and applicability of math in their lives.
Inside the Box, girls discover a diverse range of engaging and educational items, including:
• A feature of a woman mathematician to provide representation that shows girls what they can be.
• A 12-page math activity workbook created by our team of math experts, based on the box's theme. The workbook demonstrates the practicality and importance of math and provides opportunities for real-world math application and problem-solving.
• 3-5 screen-free items carefully selected to illustrate the tangibility of math and bring the theme to life; at least one item is a manipulative or educational tool that reinforces a basic math concept and ignites curiosity and creativity.
• A math affirmation card that serves as a powerful reminder of the girls' capabilities and potential in mathematics while harnessing the power of positive self-talk.
• A comprehensive Caring Adult/Teacher Guide, offering valuable tips and tools to maximize the box experience and facilitate meaningful interactions and discussions around the introduced math concepts.
• A custom sticker sheet created in partnership with a local artist because we know how much girls love stickers!
• A digital answer key to the math activity workbook, ensuring girls and their Caring Adult have the necessary resources to support the girls’ learning journey.
• Each box is also personalized with the child's first name, promoting a sense of ownership, and belonging, crucial factors in building math confidence and identity.
Since launching in 2019, [BLIND] has earned over $200K in revenue, won over $200K in grants and pitch competitions, and served approximately 2,000 customers/500 subscribers. Delivering a personalized, culturally relevant, and engaging math experience directly to the girls’ doorsteps or classrooms makes learning math exciting and accessible like never before.

Author

• Brittany Rhodes, Black Girl MATHgic