Title
Honoring and recognizing Black Girls Love Math for its work in eliminating racial and gender inequality in mathematics by cultivating a positive math identity for Black girls through culturally responsive enrichment, mentoring, and community in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia recognizes that too many Black girls are discouraged from seeing themselves as “math people” despite having the talent to excel, and that long-term equity in education and the workforce requires intentional investment in their confidence, access, and representation in STEM; and
WHEREAS, Black Girls Love Math is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization founded in 2020 to address racial and gender inequity in mathematics by cultivating a safe, culturally responsive space for Black girls to embrace math as a tool for empowerment; and
WHEREAS, Founder & Executive Director Atiyah Harmon-a Philadelphia native, Girard College alumna, and veteran educator with more than two decades of experience as a math teacher, principal, and administrator-leads Black Girls Love Math with a commitment to changing systems as well as student outcomes, using math as a vehicle for self-love, sisterhood, and leadership; and
WHEREAS, Black Girls Love Math partners with schools and community organizations to provide after-school and out-of-school programming, including one- to two-hour enrichment sessions that focus on grade-level content in a challenging yet supportive learning environment, as well as mentoring, community-building, and exposure to women in STEM; and
WHEREAS, The organization’s mission is to eliminate racial and gender inequality in mathematics and to exponentially increase the number of Black girls in advanced math courses, math-focused college majors, and STEM careers; grounded in the belief that Black girls are math people and belong in all STEM spaces; and
WHEREAS, Black Girls Love Math currently serves hundreds of students across schools in Philadelphia, helping them build math confidence, peer support, and academic momentum at the very ages when many girls begin to disengage from math due to bias, underrepresentation, and harmful stereotypes, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and recognizes Black Girls Love Math for its work to build fearless, mathematically confident Black girls, and for advancing educational equity, representation, and opportunity in STEM for young people in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Black Girls Love Math and Atiyah Harmon in recognition of their service, leadership, and dedication to ensuring that Black girls are seen, supported, and celebrated as brilliant math thinkers and future STEM leaders.
End