The Racial Justice in Early Math (RJEM) Project emerged from the respective interests of Dr. Jennifer McCray (Erikson Institute) and Dr. Danny Bernard Martin (University of Illinois Chicago). In her role as Director of the Early Math Collaborative at Erikson Institute, Jennifer had been working in early math for many years. In his role as a mathematics education researcher, Danny had been studying the significance of race and identity in the mathematical experiences of Black learners from elementary to post-secondary contexts.

In 2019, the Heising-Simons Foundation asked Jennifer to consider developing an initiative focused on racial equity and early mathematics. Danny was invited to take part in thinking about such an initiative. With funding from Heising-Simons, Jennifer and Danny decided to host a roundtable event to learn more about racial (in)justice in early math. The roundtable was re-conceived as a working group in 2020. This group evolved into the RJEM Local Planning Committee and the RJEM National Advisory Committee.

The RJEM Local Planning Committee serves as the intellectual and administrative hub for all RJEM initiatives, including the Call to Action (2021), Promising Math Conference (2022), Teaching Fellowship (2023-24), the First National Meeting of Racial Justice in Early Math (2024), the 2024 RJEM Webinar Sereis, and the ongoing publication of the RJEM Newsletter. The RJEM National Advisory Committee is composed of a diverse group of researchers, equity specialists, faculty, and community organizers from across the country. This group reviews and provides insights into RJEM major activities.

RJEM has been fully funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation and has received approximately $2M.

MAJOR INITIATIVES

The 2024 RJEM Webinar Series: This year-long series consisted of three online conversations between educators, researchers, and community members on different aspects of early math teaching and learning from a racial justice perspective. Approximately 500 people in the U.S. and abroad participated in the series. The RJEM Webinar Series was free and open to the public.

The First National Meeting of Racial Justice in Early Mathematics (2024): A two-day, in-person event that convened approximately 110 people from across the country and from a range of expertise, including caregivers, community organizers, teachers, teacher educators, graduate students, researchers, and administrators. The National Meeting featured discussions on many issues, including family engagement and community mobilization, curriculum and teacher education, research, and school administration.

The 2023-24 RJEM Teaching Fellowship: A year-long program where a diverse group of six early childhood teachers from across the United States participated in professional development and mentoring activities (summer orientation, online seminars, individual mentoring sessions, and national meeting). Fellows developed a teacher inquiry project related to racial justice in their community, school, and classroom contexts. Findings and reflections were shared at the First National Meeting of Racial Justice in Early Math.

The 2022 Promising Math Conference: A two-day, online event that featured discussions on the impacts of white supremacy and anti-blackness on early math education. Over 130 participants had opportunities to reflect on these issues and (re)imagine educational practices that foster racial justice.