Even with a math degree and tutoring for more than 15 years on the subject, Brittany Rhodes still sometimes struggles with math.

Yes, math can be confusing and challenging, the former Girl Scout acknowledged, but it is also necessary to succeed in life. Some people, like herself, can even make a living out of mad math skills.

Brittany is the visionary and founder of Black Girl MATHgic™ (BGM) box. This is the first and only monthly subscription box designed to increase math confidence and decrease math anxiety in 3rd-8th grade girls.

The local Detroiter shared details about her adventures as a businesswoman to GSSEM’s Girl Advisory Board (GAB) members. When serving on the GAB, Girl Scouts develop leadership skills and their passions by representing all GSSEM Girl Scouts by helping develop programs that engage and represent today’s girls. Go to www.gssem.org/GAB for more information on GAB.

“I saw first-hand the frustration from young girls when they didn’t catch on to math as quickly or needed more support,” she said.

From stories of real-world mathematicians to hands-on activities to curated resources, BGM provides the tools to enhance understanding, boost confidence, and connect math to the real world for young women.

While the box is curated for black girls because they endure unique struggles as a doubly marginalized group, girls of all racial and ethnic backgrounds benefit from the math confidence the Black Girl MATHgic Box offers. They also learn more about black history, which is American history.

“Math makes the world go round,” she told the girls. “Having a solid understanding of math can open so many doors for young women.”