The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture celebrates 100 years!

 One hundred years ago, Arturo Schomburg shared books from his considerable personal collection with The New York Public Library to seed its new Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints. The branch that housed the division is now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, which celebrates its centennial anniversary this year. As part of these celebrations, the Library is delighted to share some books with you (while supplies last!). 

Beginning May 8 at neighborhood branches across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library will be giving away 5,000 copies of Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library on a first-come, first-served basis. (Note: For patrons visiting the Schomburg Center, copies will be available for pickup at the nearby Countee Cullen Library.) Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Eric Velasquez, the book tells the story of Arturo Schomburg and the institution he helped create. It was named one of the Library’s Best Books for Kids in 2017 and features on their new book list, “It Happened in Harlem: Recommended Reading,” curated by the expert librarians at the Schomburg Center to mark the start of the centennial celebration

10th Annual Schomburg Center's Black Comic Book Festival

 

The Schomburg Center's for Research in Black Culture 10th Annual Black Comic Book Festival starts Thursday, January 13 through Saturday, January 15. 

From Wakanda to West 135th Street—join them online! The Black Comic Book Festival starts in just two days. Check out their schedule of virtual panel discussions. Register now and join the festival online starting on Thursday.

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture - 515 Malcolm X Boulevard (135th St and Malcolm X Blvd) New York, NY 10037. Phone: 917-275-6975.https://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg

The Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture Celebrates 90 Years!

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, one of the most important resources  for information on African- American history is celebrating its' 90th Anniversary.  If you live in New York or are visiting Harlem this is the place to introduce young  people to the rich cultural heritage of people of African descent. They offer a Young Scholars program for young people and educational programs for educators.

The Center was started with the collection of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg,  an Afro Puerto Rican who was challenged to start his collection when his teacher told him Africa had no history. Throughout his life he collected books, art, photographs, slavery narratives, and founded a historical society on Africa.  Now one man's dream has been been a source of wealth and information for many generations. Scholars, students, writers, artists, activists have flocked to the center to be inspired and informed. As a young girl I was introduced to the center, and as a student I spent hours pouring over fascinating stories on African American culture.  The Schomburg was also where I first met Langston Hughes.