national association of mathematicians

We are proud to recognize Dr. Johnny L. Houston, a founding member and lifelong leader within the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM), for his extraordinary legacy and his recent recognition at the 2025 Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) in Seattle, WA.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

Dr. Johnny L. Houston is Professor Emeritus at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and has shaped the mathematics community for over five decades. He co-founded NAM in 1969 and served as its Executive Secretary from 1975 to 2000. His leadership has continued with his presence on NAM’s Board of Directors for an incredible 50 years.

Celebrated Contributions and National Recognition

Dr. Houston’s impact on mathematics and STEM education has been nationally acknowledged. Among his many honors:

• Selected as a Science-Mathematics History Maker in 2013, with his contributions archived in the U.S. Library of Congress
• Honored as a Mathematically Gifted and Black (MGB) Honoree in 2018
• Two annual lectures have been established in his name:
  • The Houston STEM Lecture at ECSU (established in 2016)
  • The Houston Mathematics Lecture at Purdue University (established in 2023)
• In 2024, a lecture-classroom at ECSU (Room 225, Dixon-Patterson Hall) was named in his honor

Presence at the 2025 Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM)

The Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM), the world’s largest annual math gathering, is hosted by the American Mathematical Society (AMS) along with 16 partner organizations—including NAM. Dr. Houston, a Life Member of AMS and also of NAM, MAA, and SIAM, was a significant figure at JMM 2025 in Seattle.

At this year's JMM, NAM held its annual National Meeting featuring the Claytor-Woodard Lecture, Cox-Talbot Address, and Haynes-Granville-Browne Presentations. The event also showcased a special project that Dr. Houston helped bring to life.

Championing Black Stories in Mathematics: The JBM Project

At both JMM 2024 and 2025, NAM and SLMATH (formerly MSRI) presented premiere screenings of The JBM Project: Journeys of Black Mathematicians, produced by ZALA Films:

• Part 1: Forging Resilience premiered at JMM 2024 (San Francisco)
• Part 2: Creating Pathways premiered at JMM 2025 (Seattle)

Dr. Houston served as the primary consultant for the JBM Project and chaired the Advisory Group responsible for selecting participants. He appeared on both panels following the screenings and was instrumental in shaping the vision, focus, and authenticity of the films. His deep connections in the mathematical community and his decades of leadership through NAM were invaluable in identifying and connecting with contributors for the project.

Honored for Impact

At the conclusion of the JBM Panel on January 11, 2025, Dr. Houston was honored with a special recognition plaque from ZALA Films (Producer George Csicsery) and Tatiana Toro, Director of SLMATH. The tribute acknowledged his unmatched knowledge of the Black mathematical community, his commitment to documenting its legacy, and his unique ability to bring people together through NAM.

Dr. Houston’s lifelong service, mentorship, and storytelling have helped illuminate the journeys of countless Black mathematicians. We celebrate him—not only for what he has done but for who he continues to be in our community.

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Article edited by Zerotti Woods, Ph.D. and Michole Washington, Ph.D. 

Dr. Johnny L. Houston (second from left) pictured above during the JBM Project Panel at JMM 2025