On February 8, 2025, the community filled the historic Lyric Theater in Overtown for the Miami premiere of Counted Out, a moving documentary about the national crisis in math literacy and the stories of young people navigating an education system that too often counts them out.
Hosted by the Bob Moses Research Center for Math Literacy through Public Education at FIU, in partnership with The Black Archives and the Lyric Theater, the event brought together a diverse community of educators, students, organizers, and advocates committed to reimagining what math education can look like—and whom it should serve.
Before the screening, the area outside the theater buzzed with energy as The Young People’s Project hosted a Math Playground—an interactive, hands-on experience where students and community members explored math through games, collaboration, and play. Student facilitators from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, trained by YPP, led the activities, showing the powerful impact of trusting young people to lead.
Syeda Ferdausi, an 11th-grade Math Literacy Worker from Miami Northwestern Senior High School who helped run the playground, reflected on the experience: "Math is the least liked subject in school, even though it is one of the fundamentals to higher education. Teaching that math is not only a sit-and-study thing, but can also be fun is important to opening up students’ minds. I know I had fun learning all these new math games and hope many more students get to share my experience in the future."
Inside, the film’s powerful narrative took center stage—featuring the voices of students from Miami Northwestern High School, and lifting up both the obstacles they face and the possibilities they imagine. Following the screening, a panel moderated by Dr. Brian Williams featured Counted Out director Vicki Abeles and Maisha Moses, Executive Director of The Young People’s Project. Their conversation was honest and urgent, addressing the roots of systemic inequities in math education and the role of community organizing in shifting what’s possible.
"This event was about more than a film. It was about affirming that our children are capable, brilliant, and worthy of an education that prepares them to thrive. We believe that math literacy is a key that opens doors, and when students lead, when communities organize, we see what’s possible,” said Dr. Brian Williams, Executive Director of the Bob Moses Research Center.
The conversation carried into a lively Q&A session, where audience members offered reflections, raised thoughtful questions, and voiced a shared commitment to being part of a broader movement for change. Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres followed with a compelling Call to Action, emphasizing that transforming math education will require courage, collaboration, and a deep belief in our young people’s potential.
The event concluded on a high note as Dave Lawrence, Jr. took the stage to announce the winners of several exciting door prizes, including a 6–8-night Royal Caribbean cruise—a joyful reminder that while the work ahead is serious, it is also filled with hope, energy, and community spirit.
The Moses Center extends deep thanks to our co-hosts The Black Archives and Lyric Theater, and to the funders who made the event possible: Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA, The Education Effect at FIU, The Highlander Center, Department of Educational Policy Studies at FIU, Miami Arts and Entertainment Council, The Algebra Project, and The Young People’s Project. We are also grateful to our community partners: Overtown Youth Center, Belafonte-Tacolsy, and Miami Economic Advocacy Trust.
You can watch footage from the event here.