Obi connects mathematics with political life

Opposition from Princeton reflected how elite mathematical spaces excluded Black scholars regardless of achievement.

His teaching, collaboration and mentorship helped widen pathways into advanced mathematics.

Obi became a pioneering Nigerian mathematician known for research on nonlinear differential equations.

His work examined conditions under which nonlinear equations produce repeating behaviour and algebraic limit cycles.

Obi taught and supervised research as African universities expanded beyond colonial educational structures.

Jackson moved from the West Area Computing Unit into engineering and became NASA's first Black female engineer.

Her research analyzed boundary layers, pressure and aircraft behaviour in high-speed wind tunnels.

She needed special permission to attend classes held at an all-white school, exposing how law restricted scientific careers.

She left engineering management for equal-opportunity work aimed at improving hiring and promotion routes.

The Indian mental calculator became internationally famous for rapidly performing difficult arithmetic without electronic aids.