Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience

Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience

2024 · 58 min

Severely underrepresented in mathematics, African Americans have played important roles as researchers and educators in the field. Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience, the first of two documentary films, traces the history of the individuals who worked as pioneers in expanding the presence of African Americans in mathematics. In addition to the rich histories to be covered and compelling stories of contemporary Black American mathematicians, Forging Resilience showcases 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.

Directed by George Paul Csicsery

Your Rating

Make it a double feature

1h 57m together

Journeys of Black Mathematicians: Forging Resilience

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani

Both from George Paul Csicsery.

More from George Paul CsicserySee all →

Where the Heart Roams

Where the Heart Roams · 1987

Where the Heart Roams

MovieDocumentary

Romance novels comprise nearly half the paperback books sold in America. Chiffon-shrouded, jewel-laden, flower-bedecked Barbara Cartland has written hundreds of them. And filmmaker George Csicsery has given his heart to this fascinating subculture where all the women are beautiful, all the men are mysterious and all the endings are happy.

Hookers

Hookers · 1975

A short documentary profiling several COYOTE members and their founder Margo St. James as they argue for legalizing and decriminalizing prostitution.

Hard Problems

Hard Problems · 2008

MovieDocumentary

Hard Problems is about the extraordinary gifted students who represented the United States in 2006 at the world's toughest math competition: The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). It is the story of six American high school students who competed with 500 others from 90 countries in Ljublijana, Slovenia. The film shows the dedication and perseverance of these remarkably talented students, the rigorous preparation they undertake, and the joy they get out of solving challenging math problems. It captures the spirit that infuses the mathematical quest at the highest level.

N is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdős

N is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdős · 1993

N is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdős

MovieDocumentary

In an age when genius is a mere commodity, it is useful to look at a person who led a rich life without the traditional trappings of success. A man with no home and no job, Paul Erdös was the most prolific mathematician who ever lived. Born in Hungary in 1913, Erdös wrote and co-authored over 1,500 papers and pioneered several fields in theoretical mathematics. At the age of 83 he still spent most of his time on the road, going from math meeting to math meeting, continually working on problems. He died on September 20, 1996 while attending such a meeting in Warsaw, Poland.

Koko: A Talking Gorilla

Koko: A Talking Gorilla · 1978

Koko: A Talking Gorilla

MovieDocumentary

A documentary that follows Dr. Penny Patterson's current scientific study of Koko, a gorilla who communicates through American Sign Language.

Counting from Infinity: Yitang Zhang and the Twin Prime Conjecture

Counting from Infinity: Yitang Zhang and the Twin Prime Conjecture · 2015

Counting from Infinity: Yitang Zhang and the Twin Prime Conjecture

MovieDocumentary

In April 2013, a lecturer at the University of New Hampshire submitted a paper to the Annals of Mathematics. Within weeks word spread: a little-known mathematician, with no permanent job, working in complete isolation, had made an important breakthrough toward solving the Twin Prime Conjecture. Yitang Zhang's techniques for bounding the gaps between primes soon led to rapid progress by the Polymath Group, and a further innovation by James Maynard.

Point of View

Point of View · 1988

SeriesDocumentary

Since its 1988 premiere, this critically acclaimed documentary series has presented hundreds of films that put a human face on contemporary social issues by relating a compelling story in an intimate fashion. "POV" has won virtually every major film and broadcasting award available, including 38 Emmys, 22 Peabody Awards and three Oscars.

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani · 2020

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani

MovieDocumentary

Filmed in Canada, Iran, and the United States, Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani examines the life and mathematical work of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian immigrant to the United States who became a superstar in her field. In 2014, she was both the first woman and the first Iranian to be honored by mathematics' highest prize, the Fields Medal. Mirzakhani's contributions are explained by leading mathematicians and illustrated by animated sequences. Her mathematical colleagues from around the world, as well as former teachers, classmates, and students in Iran today, convey the deep impact of her achievements. The path of her education, success on Iran's Math Olympiad team, and her brilliant work, make Mirzakhani an ideal role model for girls looking toward careers in science and mathematics. Written by George Csicsery

Hungry for Monsters

Hungry for Monsters · 2004

Hungry for Monsters

MovieDocumentary

Declared "a tale from a New Age witch hunt," George Paul Csicsery's documentary exposes the malpractices of the mental health and legal community during one family's harrowing ordeal. In 1990, 15-year-old Nicole accused her father of molesting her and claimed a host of bizarre incidents had happened, including satanic rituals, a murder and sex orgies. The family tries to piece together the truth despite overzealous prosecutors and therapists.

Kamikaze Hearts

Kamikaze Hearts · 1986

Kamikaze Hearts

MovieDramaDocumentary

Porn stars Sharon Mitchell and Tigr navigate the ups and downs of being in love while working in the sex industry.

Navajo Math Circles

Navajo Math Circles · 2016

Navajo Math Circles

MovieDocumentary

Examining the collaboration of accomplished mathematicians and math educators with children and teachers in the Navajo educational system.

Television: The Enchanted Mirror

Television: The Enchanted Mirror · 1981

Television: The Enchanted Mirror

MovieDocumentary

Details the impact of television on people and social institutions.

Jack Lyon: Veterans Serving Veterans

Jack Lyon: Veterans Serving Veterans · 2013

Jack Lyon: Veterans Serving Veterans

MovieWarDocumentary

Jack Lyon used his experience as a Vietnam Veteran to help found the Veterans Village of San Diego. With a mission of offering peer support and spiritual guidance, Jack immerses himself in a life of helping young U.S. veterans.

More Like This

Couldn't load this row right now.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter