In November 2024, the Bob Moses Research Center for Math Literacy through Public Education (BMRC) presented at the Southern Education Foundation’s (SEF) Issues Forum, Miles to Go: Fulfilling the Promise of Racial Equity in Education, held in Charlotte, NC. The SEF Issues Forum brings together educators, researchers, and advocates from across the South to address the major challenges and opportunities facing public education.
Founded in 1867, SEF has a long history of working to expand educational opportunity, particularly in communities where access to strong public schools has been limited. Through research, advocacy, and leadership development, SEF continues to champion efforts that strengthen public education systems across the region.
The Moses Center’s session, Transformative Approaches to Research: Centering Community Voices, focused on how research can be made more powerful and relevant when students, teachers, and community members are partners rather than subjects. This approach reflects the Center’s broader research mission: to produce and share knowledge that tackles today’s challenges in public education and builds stronger pathways for student success, particularly through math literacy.
The session featured a dynamic group of presenters, including Dr. Brian Williams, Executive Director of the Moses Center and Research Faculty at Florida International University; Dr. Maria Lovett, Research Fellow and Clinical Associate Professor at FIU; Dr. Joan Wynne, Co-founder of the Moses Center; Jamie Brown, a teacher with Broward County Public Schools; Sara Weinberg, a professional development educator with the Algebra Project; and two high school students from Broward County Public Schools, Timothy Fain and Janiah Victorin.
A standout moment of the session was the leadership shown by the student presenters. Rather than speaking about students, the Moses Center placed students at the forefront, giving them a platform to share their experiences and insights directly. This decision reflected Bob Moses’ enduring belief that young people must not only be included in conversations about education, but must be leaders in shaping solutions. The students' voices brought urgency and authenticity to the conversation, reminding attendees that students are key partners in reimagining what education can be.
The presentation also highlighted the Moses Center’s partnerships with initiatives like the Florida Local Alliance for Math Literacy and Equity (FLAME), The Young People’s Project (YPP), and The Algebra Project (AP). These collaborations demonstrate how community-driven efforts can transform math learning and expand opportunities for students.
Reflecting on the session, Dr. Williams emphasized the importance of student leadership in educational change. “When students share their experiences and lead alongside educators, they aren’t just imagining a better future — they are actively building it,” he shared.
The Moses Center’s participation in the SEF Issues Forum underscored its commitment to advancing research that addresses the real challenges facing public education, while centering the voices of students, teachers, and communities who are closest to the work.
Click here to learn more about the 2023 SEF Issues Forum.