Dr. Lou Mathews is a global mathematics
creative and founder of InspireMath committed to building inspiring,
sustainable mathematics platforms and culturally relevant education experiences
in communities around the world. As Director of Mathematics and Science at
Urban Teachers, a national teacher residency program with Johns Hopkins
University, Dr. Lou supports the recruitment, coaching and deployment of
culturally competent mathematics teachers in Baltimore, Washington DC and
Dallas.
In response to the global crisis of racial
injustice and COVID19 pandemic, Dr. Lou created Pi Before Dinner, a virtual
space and media channel for amplifying and illuminating the voices and images
of Black children, families and community in mathematics. The podcast is in its
second season on Facebook Live and YouTube and has spawned a website media page
and online network of educators and allies.
Dr. Lou has served the mathematics community
as a leading equity and racial justice advocate, speaker and scholar. As a
mathematics scholar, he has authored studies, book chapters, blogs and videos
on culturally relevant mathematics teaching in mathematics. Dr. Matthews led
the creation of the Journal of Urban Mathematics Education in 2008. The journal
was established to increase the presence and voice of scholars in urban
mathematics.
Born in Bermuda, Dr. Lou is currently based
in the DC area and has been actively involved in national and international
initiatives in the United States, Caribbean, and Africa for the past two decades.
He has recently established the Inspire Math Foundation and is a past president
of the Benjamin Banneker Association and former acting Commission of Education
of Bermuda Public Schools.
Dr. Lou is an avid mountain biker and
committed to various community and social issues such as ADHD, anti-racism,
gentrification and affordable housing.