Severely underrepresented in mathematics, African Americans have played important roles as researchers and educators in the field. This documentary traces the history of the individuals who worked as pioneers in expanding the presence of African Americans in mathematics. Journeys of Black Mathematicians is a film that will inspire African American students to continue their studies and consider career paths in mathematics.. In addition to the rich histories to be covered and compelling stories of contemporary Black American mathematicians, the film will showcase innovative educational programs in math for African American students at every level from grade school through undergraduate and postdocs, portraying their experiences, struggles and accomplishments. The historical characters and their stories will be interwoven to support themes identified in the lives and experiences of the students and aspiring mathematicians we plan to follow in various institutional settings as they explore the field and possibilities for future careers in mathematics. Without venturing any predictions about individual choices, the film adheres to the proposition that a passion for mathematics and its pursuit can by itself produce positive social change and lead to a satisfying and meaningful life.
Biography:
George Csicsery is a writer and has been an independent filmmaker since 1968. He has directed 36 films, many about the lives and work of mathematicians. His best-known documentaries are Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani; Navajo Math Circles; Counting from Infinity: Yitang Zhang and the Twin Prime Conjecture; Julia Robinson and Hilbert’s Tenth Problem; Hard Problems: The Road to the World’s Toughest Math Contest; Hungry for Monsters: A Tale from a New Age Witch Hunt; N is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdős; and Where the Heart Roams. In 2009, Csicsery received the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics Communications Award for bringing mathematics to non-mathematical audiences. Between 2017-2019, he was a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University.
