It has been almost twenty years since the inception of the Algebra Project, but its headquarters are still located in Cambridge. The program that Robert Moses started is still in operation at the King School. Algebra Projects are operating in four regions of the US: Northeast, Midwest and Bay Area, California and the Southern region including 28 school districts.

The number of children involved in the Algebra Project has grown to over 10,000.

In the early years the Algebra Project was funded by the proceeds of a MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Award received by Robert Moses. Today, major grants from the MacArthur and Lilly Foundations, the National Science Foundation, and the Open Society Institute help to underwrite the Algebra Project budget of 2.5 million dollars.

Today, there is another component to the Algebra Project called the Young People's Project. It was founded in 1996 in Jackson, Mississippi by a number of young people including two of Moses' children Omo and Taba.

These young people as well as Moses recognize that the future growth of the Algebra Project is tied to organizing young people to demand their right to a better education, particularly in math.

Bob Moses speaking to 7th grade students in Mississippi in 1997 said, "I can't make you take algebra, but this is why you want to. Algebra opens the door to college preparation. You may not go to college but if you don't go it should not be because you haven't prepared yourself to go."

The Young People's Project is creating a network of young people some of whom have participated in the Algebra Project's programs. This group of young people is committed to getting the message out - that math is cool and you need it to succeed in life. These young people are the equivalent of the SNCC voter registration workers of the Freedom Summer.

The Young People's Project operates two sites, one in Cambridge and the other in Atlanta. We recently met with some of the math literacy workers of the YPP at their Cambridge Office. During our conversation it was clear that these workers are dedicated and are pleased that they are making a difference.

During our recent interview with Mr. Moses he told us that some of the Algebra Project students from the Delta region are entering college. Hopefully, after college some of them may return to the Algebra Project as teachers.

For the future, Mr. Moses is seeking ways to make sure that financial support for the Algebra Project is steady, that it does not wax and wan, dependent on the generosity of donors. In addition, he is working with some research firms to better evaluate the positive impact that the Algebra Project is having on children across the nation.

Just as Robert Moses committed himself to the civil rights movement not knowing where it would lead or how long it would take to achieve any of its goals, he relentlessly works for a better future for the nation's youth.