Billionaire heiress Liz Simons, who contributed $250,000 to a political action committee supporting New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, is reportedly linked to a national initiative promoting what critics call “woke math.” Simons co-founded the Heising-Simons Foundation, which has donated $1.7 million since 2023 to the Racial Justice in Early Mathematics Project at Chicago’s Erikson Institute.
The Racial Justice in Early Mathematics (RJEM) Project, led by Dr. Jennifer McCray and Dr. Danny Bernard Martin, aims to address systemic racial inequities in early math education. The project encourages educators to incorporate discussions of race and social justice into math instruction, a concept that has sparked debate across the country.
Supporters argue that integrating social issues into math education can foster critical thinking and promote equity. However, opponents contend that such approaches politicize education and distract from foundational math skills. The RJEM Project’s emphasis on “difficult and often uncomfortable conversations” about racism has been a focal point of criticism.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, has garnered attention for his progressive policies and has secured endorsements from figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Despite his far-left stances, Mamdani has also received support from establishment Democrats, including Rep. Jerry Nadler. His campaign has highlighted issues such as affordable housing, rent freezes, and equitable education.
The connection between Mamdani’s campaign and the RJEM Project has raised questions about the influence of wealthy donors on educational initiatives and political campaigns. Critics argue that such funding could lead to the promotion of ideologically driven curricula in public schools.
As the mayoral election approaches, the debate over the intersection of education, politics, and philanthropy continues to intensify. The outcome of this election could have significant implications for the direction of New York City’s educational policies and the role of private funding in public education.
