100 Years of Inspiration: Elbert Frank Cox and the Future of Mathematics
Talitha Washington, Howard University
NAM David Harold Blackwell Lecture

Saturday, August 9
MAA MathFest 2025

Abstract: In 1925, Elbert Frank Cox became the first Black person in the world to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics, paving the way for future generations. His journey was defined by resilience and an unwavering commitment to knowledge despite the barriers of segregation. This talk honors his legacy and explores how his impact continues to inspire the mathematical community a century later.

Biography: Dr. Talitha Washington serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Applied Data Science & Analytics, the Sean McCleese Endowed Chair in Computer Science, Race, and Social Justice, and a Professor of Mathematics at Howard University. She is also the Past-President of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) and previously served as a Program Director at the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. Washington's research spans applied mathematics, dynamical systems, nonstandard finite difference schemes, data science, artificial intelligence, and education. She completed her undergraduate studies in mathematics at Spelman College, studied abroad at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Mexico, and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Connecticut, which also awarded her an honorary doctorate in science. She is a Fellow of the AWM, the American Mathematical Society (AMS), and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).