Meet Dr. Marrielle Myers | Daughter, Auntie, Godmother, Professor, Author, Math Girlie

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Marrielle Myers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Marrielle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a little Black girl who loved math, I rarely saw myself in the stories around me. That longing for representation and my belief that every child is a natural mathematician, sparked my mission.

From classroom teacher to professor to international speaker, I’ve devoted my career to sparking joyful “math talk” in homes and schools. I wanted kids (and adults!) to know they’re not “bad at math,” they’re mathematical thinkers by design.

That’s why I created Marlee, the bright heroine of Operation Feed the Ducks. She’s a reflection of who I was and who I wished I could be…a blend of my childhood memories, my expertise in early math, and my passion for culturally rich, joyful stories. Marlee Loves Math is more than a brand. It’s an international movement to make math fun, inclusive, and identity-affirming, helping every child see themselves as a mathematician in everyday moments and beyond.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I majored in math at Hampton University (the REAL HU!) before diving into an MEd at NC State. I knew the content, but I wanted to master the art of teaching. As a public-school teacher, I quickly saw how math and schooling often disadvantage students, and how much a student’s math identity shapes their future.

That passion carried me into a PhD program. As a university professor, I have spent the last 11 years preparing teachers to honor students’ identities and recognize every child as a brilliant mathematician. Years of consulting, DEI-centered research, and work with families revealed a critical truth: parents want to support their children in math, but their own math trauma and the constant shifts in standards often hold them back.

This inspired me to write my book, a joyful way for families and teachers to engage with math through story. Its launch was a success because I led with purpose, leaned on community, and stayed clear on the problem I wanted to solve. My best advice is to embrace your story, imperfections and all. When you let your purpose fuel your brand and align it with your expertise, magic happens.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A perfect week includes good food, intentional workouts, experiences with art and culture, evening walks, fun music, and dancing.

1. I would take my bestie to eat at J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen, 26 Thai, Plant Based Pizzeria, and Delbar. We’d slide by Southern Sweets for desserts or call up the Plant Based Princess!
2. We would have to get a workout in at Burn Bootcamp in Smyrna, trampoline bounce at DPAC, or HIIT at EFFECT Fitness.
3. We would co-work at The Gathering Spot and likely attend a few seminars, activities, and social events. Their calendar is ALWAYS fire!
4. We would likely swing by The High Museum and hopefully they’d be in town the weekend of a Fresh Day Party at Rock Steady.
5. An evening walk on the beltline is a MUST!
6. I’d slide over to DJ Xzact’s IG to see where he is and I’d take my bestie there for GREAT music.
7. Thursday nights are all about Chicago Steppin’ at Ellerys!

I know…I know…this itinerary is amazing! Come on and join me!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
God and my parents deserve ALL the credit! God has blessed me with so many talents and abilities. My parents saw my gifts, passions, and desires and nurtured them. They provided me access to camps, enriching out-of-school experiences, and a safe space to land when upper level mathematics classrooms were NOT a safe space. I am forever grateful to them and I dedicated my first book to them because of their ongoing support.

Website: https://www.marleelovesmath.com

Instagram: @marleelovesmath

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marrielle-myers-894bab1b8

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Marleelovesmath/61568324259128/#