09/21/2022
Hey yāall!
After a year of work behind the scenes, Iām relaunching Math Expansion!
What makes this relaunch different is Math Expansion is more than a line of math games; itās a cultural movement through a YouTube series.
https://youtu.be/o4VdO4-KQzs
This movement is important to me because Iāve dedicated my life to the math education of scholars in Detroit and I hope that my work makes an impact in my community.
According to the online publication Chalkbeat, the math achievement of scholars in āDetroit has ranked at the bottom of the list every year since it began participating in the city rankings in 2009ā based on results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. (Levin, Koby. October 30, 2019).
Math Expansion exists to transform the narrative and trajectory of scholars, starting in Detroit.
In my 12 years of experience as a math educator in Detroit, I find there are two key concepts which pose a barrier to scholarsā mathematics achievement: integer addition and subtraction. These two objectives are conceptually the most complex on the spectrum of number sense.
Understanding of integers, or positive and negative numbers, will give scholars access to higher order abstract thinking, success in college, the STEM fields, and entrepreneurship. Acquiring these skills is critical to the future success of Detroit and scholars world-wide.
So whatās the solution? Itās multifaceted.
-Engage scholars in math how they naturally learn: through play!
-Create hands-on, minds-on, conceptually based, interactive learning experiences.
-Include parents and the village in the process.
-Provide scholars, inclusive of all with a laser focus on justice for Black and socially disadvantaged scholars, the opportunity to see themselves as successful in math. Letās celebrate our scholars for academic excellence in real time!
Thatās the vision.
Granted, Math Expansion: The Series is in its infancy and there is room for improvement. This is currently a self-funded labor of love. That does not dissuade me in the least. Issa Rae started on YouTube and now has a hit show on HBO. Quinta Brunson started with āoh he got moneyā skits, and just won an Emmy. I know the hardest part about getting started is getting started.
The hardest part is over. Now Iām ready to empower my community and grow in the process.
In this episode, we are joined by a trailblazer in the revitalization of BO&O entrepreneurship in Detroit, a beacon for social justice, and someone Iām honored to call āfriendā, Jevona Fudge, Esq. and her daughter Karrington. She has opened her doors and allowed Math Expansion to call Detroit Sip home. And what a warm, welcoming, and wonderful home it is. Come for a cup of fresh brewed coffee or tea at 7420 W Six Mile, Detroit, MI 48221. Stay for the conversation, collaboration, chess, and community.
To get in the game, check out our platforms:
MathExpansion.com
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
Thank you to the entire production team:
Antoine Marshall, videography
Birdsullivan Photography
Dr. Alton James, theme song
DJ DJ Stacye J, live music
Detroit Sip, venue
Jevona Fudge, Esq., guest and owner of Detroit Sip
Karrington, guest
Alicia Hosea āLiLiā, co-host as well as my much needed and greatly appreciated emotional support
The scholars of Detroit, my inspiration
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy and are inspired by Math Expansion: The Series.
