Action!
The Great Harlem HairMath Tour is an innovative program designed to empower young Black girls by connecting their cultural heritage to academic potential in mathematics. This initiative transforms Harlem’s iconic 125th Street into a live gallery, showcasing the intricate art of traditional hair braiding, with math teachers illustrating the mathematical principles embedded in African-American braiding styles. This street festival serves as an engaging entry point for understanding mathematical concepts, fostering both pride and curiosity about STEM fields.
Through hands-on workshops, dynamic demonstrations, and a mix of outdoor and indoor community events, young people explore mathematical patterns and symmetry found in African braiding. This unique approach allows participants to build confidence in math while celebrating their culture.

Taking place in the heart of Harlem, a community rich in African American history and resilience, the tour invites students, educators, and families to see math through a culturally meaningful, ethnomathematical lens. The tour’s goal is not only to enhance math skills but also to inspire a new generation of Black girls to envision careers in STEM, helping to bridge the representation gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
We are currently seeking collaborators, funders, grant writers, hair braiders, math educators, corporations, and government agencies to help bring this vision to life.
