On March 13, 2025, educators, students, advocates, and thought leaders gathered at Kennesaw State University for a powerful forum titled Mathematical Literacy: The Key to Empowering the Next Generation. Co-hosted by the Bob Moses Research Center at FIU, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE), and KSU’s Bagwell College of Education, the event was part of GPEE’s Critical Issues Forum series and focused on the urgent need to reimagine math education through the lens of opportunity and civic responsibility.
From the moment guests arrived, the tone was clear: math learning can and should be joyful, communal, and accessible. Outside the venue, the Young People’s Project facilitated a Math Playground—an interactive space where attendees of all ages engaged with math in ways that were hands-on, playful, and student-led. The experience reminded everyone that math is not just a subject—it’s a language of logic, problem-solving, and power.
Inside the forum, a full lineup of speakers emphasized the need to raise the floor for math learning and to ensure that all students—not just a privileged few—are equipped with the tools to succeed. Dr. Brian Williams delivered keynote remarks that framed math literacy as a civil and human rights issue, building on the legacy of Bob Moses. He was followed by community conversation featuring Maisha Moses (The Young People’s Project), Bill Crombie (The Algebra Project), Dr. Kamau Bobb (Georgia Tech), and Dr. Tonya Clarke (Clayton County Public Schools).
One of the most powerful moments came during the youth panel, which spotlighted voices that are often excluded from policy conversations. Panelists included Ms. Kennedy Williams, an AP Math Literacy Worker and student at Morrow High School; Ms. Grace Obasi, an AP Math Literacy Mentor with Project South; and Mr. Quincy Dawson, a former AP student who studied with Bob Moses and now serves as Director of Youth Math Literacy Initiatives at Kennesaw State University. Together, they offered a clear message: young people are ready to lead, and any solution that doesn’t center their experiences is incomplete.
"This forum brought together students, educators, and thought partners who understand that math literacy isn’t just about equations—it’s about opportunity. We wanted to spark a conversation about what’s possible when young people are given the tools and support to succeed. This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Brian Williams, Executive Director of the Bob Moses Research Center.
Attendee reflections underscored the event’s impact. One participant shared, “Math is power. That thought resonated and will become part of my vernacular.” Another remarked, “This is one of my favorite GPEE meetings so far. Very informative and solution-oriented.”
Following the forum, participants gathered for a luncheon to mark the Atlanta launch of the National Math Literacy Campaign, a 10-year effort to mobilize communities and institutions around the country. The luncheon was sponsored by the Bagwell College of Education and served as a powerful bookend to a day filled with insight, urgency, and momentum.
Click here to watch the full recording of the forum.