4 minute read
Inspirations
West Louisville Math d Scice Project
by Dawn Anderson | courtesy images "Community is the failsafe for our ildr."
- Eboni Neal Con
Eboni Neal Cochran, Founder & Executive Director of West Louisville Math and Science Project, is a former JCPS Kindergarten Assistant who has homeschooled her 15-yearold son for nine years. For the love of her community, she formed the Project as “a community initiative to build skills in math, science, and literacy among children and their families within the African Diaspora.” In 2005, after hearing a guest comment on WFPL’s State of Affairs about the lack of African-American youth participation in science fairs, Cochran spoke with her father regarding the lack of access as an issue. Together with some friends, they originally envisioned a West Louisville Math and Science Center.
“Unfortunately, my father died in 2006. I abandoned the project until 2011 when I began working with kindergarteners in the school system. Seeing how easily they grasped mathematical concepts reminded me of what my father had always taught me. When you have a vision or mission, it cannot be personality-driven. The vision must be pursued even if people leave an organization or pass away.” Even without a physical location, Cochran remained determined to put the plans into action by holding events at rented spaces in area churches and community centers, thus founding the West Louisville Math and Science Project. Enthusiasm and need were evident for the Project’s first event as it drew over 100 participants and 30 volunteers leading 24 math activities based on what her son was learning through his homeschool curriculum. Teachers and trained volunteers lead activities for making everyday connections to math, science, and literacy. “We guide children, building their confidence and skills through a network of community members. Community is the failsafe for our children.” Events and workshops are intentional family affairs for intergenerational learning, not simply child dropoffs. “Our goal for families is to provide family members the tools they need to become active participants in the education of their children and themselves. Our goal for the community is to help build a support system of neighbors who understand the importance of math, science, and literacy and actively participate in cultivating such a system.”
Plans for 2023 events and workshops are already in motion. An astronomy-based event in March, A Dogon Night Under the Stars, is inspired by the Dogon tribe of Mali, West Africa, and their fascination with the Sirius star system. Summer 2023 will feature a human anatomy event with Black doctors and other medical professionals teaching subjects such as systems of the body and CPR. Family Fun Math Explosion and LitFest will also return next summer.
The dream of West Louisville Math and Science Center lives on as Cochran now owns the building in the location her father sought early on. Over the years, she had checked numerous times to see if it was up for sale. In 2015, her mother and one of her best friends asked if she had called about the building lately. This time, they said it was for sale. “I put my own money into the building, putting a new roof on and shoring it up. But we need funds to complete the project. We would like to start a capital campaign to raise those funds.” Moving into a center in the heart of West Louisville will facilitate providing top-notch quality educational experiences. “I believe this center has the capability of helping to transform our community. Imagine the number of times a child has to walk or ride by a liquor store in West Louisville. What if, over the years, they walk by West Louisville Math and Science Center? Imagine that one day, either they or one of their family members decides to enter the doors. That's the kind of presence we need - a constant, inviting, and beneficial presence for the community. With proper coordination between all of the organizations already doing great work, we can get our children, families, and neighborhoods where we want them to be.” West Louisville Math and Science Project was selffunded from 2011-2021. Funds received as part of the Community Foundation of Louisville’s 2021 Racial Justice cohort helped expand programming, but the Project still has no paid staff. Cochran encourages the wider Louisville community to become involved:
• Become a volunteer. • Spread the word about events. • Once it launches, get involved in the capital campaign through sweat equity or giving in large and small amounts. • Reach out to let us know what is needed in your West Louisville neighborhood. For more information, follow West Louisville Math and Science Project on Facebook.
