Billionaire backer of NYC Democratic socialist Mamdani funds controversial 'woke math' program: report

A billionaire heiress who donated $250,000 to a PAC backing Zohran Mamdani has been tied to a push to bring race-neutral math to public schools.

A billionaire donor to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani reportedly supports "woke math" initiatives. (Skynesher/Getty Images)

The Heising-Simons Foundation, which Simons co-founded with her husband, Mark Heising, has given $1.7 million since 2023 to the Racial Justice in Early Mathematics (RJEM) Project at Chicago’s Erikson Institute, according to the Post.

RJEM was established in December 2019 and led by Dr. Jennifer McCray, of the Erikson Institute, and Dr. Danny Bernard Martin, of the University of Illinois Chicago. A January 2023 press release by the Erikson Institute says the project "focuses on addressing issues of systemic racial injustices in the math education of young learners."

New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani spoke to supporters at a canvass launch event in Prospect Park on Aug. 17, 2025.  (Deirdre Heavey/Fox News Digital)

Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, stunned observers when he secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in June.

Despite his far-left stances, Mamdani has gotten the backing of Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y. Another establishment Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., meanwhile, has been more cautious of Mamdani.

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Mamdani has also been supported by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and he hosted an event on Saturday in Brooklyn with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Heising-Simons Foundation for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/billionaire-backer-nyc-democratic-socialist-mamdani-funds-controversial-woke-math-program