Welcome to the
SCHOMBURG CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN BLACK CULTURE
Where Every Month Is Black History Month
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, located in Harlem, New York, is a research unit of The New York Public Library system. It is recognized as one of the leading institutions focusing exclusively on African-American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. Starting with the collection of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg more than 85 years ago, the Schomburg collects, preserves, and provides access to materials documenting black life locally, nationally and internationally. It also promotes the study and interpretation of the history and cultures of peoples of African descent. Today, the Schomburg serves the community not just as a center and a library, but also as a place that encourages lifelong learning and inspires exploration.
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SPRING / SUMMER 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS PUBLIC PROGRAMS
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FIRST FRIDAYS
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FILMS AT THE SCHOMBURG
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BETWEEN THE LINES
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SCHOMBURG ON LOCATION
8 DR. BETTY SHABAZZ MEMORIAL LECTURE & AWARDS CEREMONY
EXHIBITIONS & RELATED PROGRAMS 9 THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO THEATRE
EDUCATION AT THE SCHOMBURG 10-11 BLACK HISTORY 360° 12 LAPIDUS CENTER FOR THE HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF TRANSATLANTIC SLAVERY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 13 CALENDAR
SUPPORT 14 SPECIAL EVENTS 15 MEMBERSHIP
Schomburg Center for research in black culture The New York Public Library
For more information, ASK NYPL: 917.ASK.NYPL or nypl.org/asknypl
PLAN YOUR VISIT To register for our FREE events, please visit: schomburgcenter.eventbrite.com Guided tours are conducted Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required at least 30 days in advance. To register for a guided or selfguided tour for a group of 15 people or more, please email: schomburgtours@nypl.org. Subscribe to our e-newsletter: nypl.org/schomburgnews CONNECT with the Schomburg:
Take 2 or 3 train to 135th St. 515 Malcolm X Boulevard New York, New York 10037-1801
FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS
FIRST FRIDAYS JOIN US FOR OUR POPULAR MONTHLY SOCIAL GATHERING WHERE THERE’LL BE LIVE MUSIC, SIGNATURE DRINKS, AND EXTENDED VIEWING HOURS IN OUR GALLERIES! FRIDAY, MAY 1 AT 6PM
HARLEM GO MEET-UP PRESENTS HARLEM MECCA EDITION FRIDAY, JUNE 5 AT 6PM
GAY PRIDE EDITION FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 AT 6PM
HOUSE MUSIC EDITION
BluPhotoArt© 4
FILMS AT THE SCHOMBURG
FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 AT 6:30PM
GHOSTS OF AMISTAD
Ghosts of Amistad by Tony Buba is based on Marcus Rediker’s The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom (Penguin, 2012). The film chronicles a 2013 journey to Sierra Leone to visit the home villages of the rebels who captured the slave schooner, Amistad; interview elders about the incident; and search for the long lost ruins of Lomboko, the slave-trading factory where their cruel transatlantic voyage began. A TALKBACK WITH REDIKER WILL FOLLOW THE SCREENING. This program is presented by the Schomburg Center’s Lapidus Center for the Historical Analysis of Transatlantic Slavery.
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FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS
BETWEEN THE LINES
MONDAY, MAY 4 AT 6:30PM
PETER SLEVIN
Michelle Obama: A Life by biographer Peter Slevin is the first comprehensive account of the life and times of Michelle Obama, a woman of achievement and purpose—and the most unlikely first lady in modern American history. With disciplined reporting and a storyteller’s eye for revealing detail, Slevin follows Obama to the White House from her working class childhood in Chicago’s largely segregated South Side. A book signing will follow the conversation.
TUESDAY, MAY 12 AT 6:30PM
GINGER ADAMS OTIS
In Firefight: The Century-Long Battle to Integrate New York’s Bravest, author Ginger Adams Otis shares stories of courage from firefighters who not only risk their lives in the line of duty but also risk their livelihood battling an unjust system. FDNY Captain Paul Washington is a black second-generation firefighter, who spent his multi-decade career fighting to get blacks on the job. He faced an insular, close-knit culture that favored families and friends, and never saw its own inclusion as privilege. Based on years of on-the-ground reporting, Firefight is an exciting blend of highoctane firefighting, a critical civil rights history as well as a grassroots struggle for opportunity. A book signing will follow the conversation.
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SCHOMBURG ON LOCATION
SCHOMBURG ON LOCATION
This summer, Schomburg on Location partners with Harlem Stage (located at 150 Convent Avenue, NYC) to celebrate writer James Baldwin’s 90th birthday.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 AT 7:30PM
JAMES BALDWIN AND RETHINKING THE PATH AHEAD
As part of The Year of James Baldwin, Harlem Stage presents a dialogue on Baldwin’s view of history and his critique of America with Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Schomburg Director, and Dr. Fredrick Harris, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center on African-American Politics and Society at Columbia University. RSVP for free tickets at www.harlemstage.org.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 - FRIDAY, JUNE 5 AT 7:30PM SATURDAY, JUNE 6 - SUNDAY, JUNE 7 AT 2PM
WORLD PREMIERE: Stew’s Notes of a Native Song
A new work commissioned and produced by Harlem Stage
Tony Award (Passing Strange) and Obie Award-winning playwright/singer/songwriter, Stew, creates a collage of songs, text and video inspired by James Baldwin’s brave and visionary proclivity for expressing uncomfortable truths. Along with his band, Stew will create a very intimate, up-closeand-personal cabaret show. General admission tickets are $55. Register at HarlemStage.org. Schomburg Society Members get 25% off tickets and pay $41.25 when they use code SCSTEW.
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FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS
TUESDAY, MAY 19 AT 6:30PM
MALCOLM X MUSEUM
Join us for the 90th Birthday Celebration of Malcolm X presented by the Malcolm X Museum.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 AT 6:30PM
STREAMS OF CONSCIOUSNESS:
A Movement Narrative
The Caribbean Cultural Center and African Diaspora Institute will present a dance anthology exploring the cultural and ecological importance of water, and probing the spiritual mandate of esoteric traditions of the African Diaspora to preserve this and other natural resources. A conversation featuring the members of each dance company, hosted by acclaimed choreographer Marlies Yearby, will follow.
DR. BETTY SHABAZZ MEMORIAL LECTURE & AWARD CEREMONY SUNDAY, MAY 3 AT 3PM
Women In Islam, Inc. annually celebrates the legacy of Dr. Betty Shabazz by honoring women of all backgrounds and faiths who demonstrate their unwavering and courageous dedication to helping others. Reception and Awards Ceremony: $35; Students: $20. RSVP at rsvp@ womeninislam.org. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit womeninislam.org or call (212) 576-8875.
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EXHIBITIONS & RELATED PROGRAMS
THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO THEATRE
ON VIEW BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2015
The Schomburg Center celebrates the 75th anniversary of our renowned American Negro Theatre (ANT). Known to the locals as “The Harlem Library Little Theatre,” the ANT was founded in 1940 as a community space for thespians to work in productions that illustrated the diversity of black life. This exhibition is taken entirely from the Schomburg Collections and highlights the ANT’s stage productions between the years 1940 through 1949 with photographs, posters, playbills and news clippings. Images include scenes from successful plays such as Anna Lucasta, studio workshops and radio broadcasts featuring prominent talent like Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier and Lofton Mitchell, whose careers began at the ANT.
, , A scene from the American Negro Theatre s On Strivers Row stage production. Photographers: Morgan and Marvin Smith, , Frederick O Neal Collection, Photographs and Prints Division, Schomburg Center, NYPL SCHOMBURGCENTER.ORG
EDUCATION AT THE SCHOMBURG
EDUCATION AT THE SCHOMBURG
SATURDAY, MAY 2 AT 1PM
FRIDAY, JUNE 12 AT 7PM
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SALON: Honoring Walter
TEEN NIGHT AT THE SCHOMBURG
Dean Myers
Teen Night at the Schomburg Center is a new series dedicated to creating safe spaces for young people to engage with each other and learn more about the arts through film screenings, poetry nights, book discussions and more. It’s also an opportunity for teens to fellowship and meet other young minds in New York City. Youth ages 13-19 are welcome to attend.
SATURDAY, MAY 16 AT 10AM
THE JUNIOR SCHOLARS’ ANNUAL YOUTH SUMMIT 2015: Ascension SATURDAY, JUNE 6 AT 1PM
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SALON: Honoring Benny Andrews
To RSVP, visit schomburgcenter.eventbrite.com.
TUESDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 9-10 AT 10:30AM
SATURDAY, JULY 25 AT 1PM
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the American Negro Theatre
Read-A-Thon
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SALON: “I Love This Book”
SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL-
AUGUST 3-7, 2015, 9AM TO 4PM
BLACK HISTORY 360°: The Schomburg’s 6th Annual Summer
Education Institute 2015
Professional Development for K-12 Teachers, Community Educators, College Faculty and College Students Join hundreds of educators (K-12 and College) and premier scholars from across the country for a spectacular “education vacation” at the Schomburg Center featuring lectures, interactive workshops, curriculum labs, curator talks and community walks that explore the history and cultures of African Americans and African peoples throughout the Diaspora. This year’s themes include: The 100th Anniversary of the Great Migration; African-American Suburban Migration: 1920-Present; Epistolary Lives: The Art of Letters as Historical Documents; Black Life Matters: Using Art and Voice to Explore the Past; After Ferguson: Healing Hearts and Sustaining Youth Activism; Igniting Imagination with Black Comics, Graphic Novels, and Speculative Fiction; PostCivil Rights History & The Birth of Hip-Hop; Fela Kuti and the Power of Protest Music and more. Educators will gain valuable content knowledge and learn inquiry-based approaches to teaching across the grades using the Schomburg’s rich primary resource collections on-site and online.
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EDUCATION AT THE SCHOMBURG
FIRST THURSDAYS!
CONVERSATIONS IN BLACK FREEDOM STUDIES THURSDAY, MAY 7 AT 6PM
BLACK AND BROWN ORGANIZING
Schomburg Education presents this dynamic adult education series with a full line-up of provocative scholars and community members committed to engaging dialogue about black freedom studies. The Spring 2015 semester is curated by professors Jeanne Theoharis (Brooklyn College/CUNY) and Komozi Woodard (Sarah Lawrence College). This program’s panelists are Sonia Song-Ha Lee, Washington University in St. Louis; Alejandra Marchevsky, California State University, Los Angeles; Johanna Fernandez, Baruch College, CUNY; and Frederick Douglass Opie, Babson College. Books for the Conversations in Black Freedom Studies series are available for purchase in the Schomburg Gift Shop! Visit us and read up in advance! Like Schomburg Education on Facebook, follow our Twitter @SchomburgEd and check out our new website at www.blackfreedomstudies.org.
Registration Fees: General: $500/week or $125 per day College Students & Seniors: $400/week or $100/day REGISTRATION FORMS AVAILABLE ONLINE: www.schomburgcenter.org/blackhistory360 For more information: Visit: schomburgcenter.org/blackhistory360 Email: schomburged@nypl.org Call: (212) 491-2272 Registration Deadline: June 30, 2015 Limited registration may be available in July if space permits. The Schomburg Summer Education Institute is funded solely by registration fees, which are used to pay for event costs, honoraria, program materials and resources. Like us on www.facebook.com/schomburgeducation
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY
JUNE
FRIDAY, MAY 1 AT 6PM
MONDAY, JUNE 1 AT 7PM
HARLEM GO MEET-UP PRESENTS HARLEM MECCA EDITION FIRST FRIDAYS
THE LITERARY SOCIETY
SATURDAY, MAY 2 AT 1PM
The Literary Society invites you to join them for their book club conversation on Toni Morrison’s new release, God Help the Child.
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SALON: Honoring Walter Dean Myers SUNDAY, MAY 3 AT 3PM
DR. BETTY SHABAZZ MEMORIAL LECTURE & AWARD CEREMONY
MONDAY, MAY 4 AT 6:30PM BETWEEN THE LINES
PETER SLEVIN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 - FRIDAY, JUNE 5 AT 7:30PM SATURDAY, JUNE 6 - SUNDAY, JUNE 7 AT 2PM SCHOMBURG ON LOCATION
Harlem Stage, 150 Convent Avenue, NYC
WORLD PREMIERE: Stew’s Notes of a Native Song FRIDAY, JUNE 5 AT 6PM FIRST FRIDAYS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 AT 6:30PM FILMS AT THE SCHOMBURG
GAY PRIDE EDITION
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 AT 1PM
GHOSTS OF AMISTAD
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SALON: Honoring Benny Andrews
TUESDAY, MAY 12 AT 6:30PM BETWEEN THE LINES
TUESDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 9-10 AT 10:30AM
GINGER ADAMS OTIS
SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL- Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the American Negro Theatre
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 AT 7:30PM SCHOMBURG ON LOCATION
Harlem Stage, 150 Convent Avenue, NYC
JAMES BALDWIN AND RETHINKING THE PATH AHEAD
FRIDAY, JUNE 12 AT 7PM
TEEN NIGHT AT THE SCHOMBURG
SATURDAY, JULY 25 AT 1PM
SATURDAY, MAY 16 AT 10AM
THE JUNIOR SCHOLARS’ Annual
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE SALON: “I Love This Book” Read-A-Thon
MONDAY, MAY 18 AT 6:30PM
AUGUST
Youth Summit 2015: Ascension
FROM BINARIES TO BRIDGES: Black Liberation and Model Minority Mutiny TUESDAY, MAY 19 AT 6:30PM
MALCOLM X MUSEUM
The 90th Birthday Celebration of Malcolm X presented by the Malcolm X Museum WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 AT 6:30PM
STREAMS OF CONSCIOUSNESS: A Movement Narrative
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 AT 6PM FIRST FRIDAYS
HOUSE MUSIC EDITION
Due to upcoming renovations at the Schomburg Center, we’re having a shorter programming season. But we invite you to catch up on some of our past programs and conversations via our livestream page at new.livestream. com/schomburgcenter or YouTube at www. YouTube.com/user/TheSchomburgCenter.
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SHOWS, AND FROM FILM SHOOTS TO LECTURES—WE CAN DO IT ALL. SUPPORT THE SCHOMBURG
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The Schomburg Center offers four magnificent spaces, catering to intimate gatherings as well ARE YOU LOOKING as lavish extravaganzas. While you and your guests are enjoying the fabulous setting, you will know PERFECT VENUE HOST that you are helping to support the collections, YOUR NEXT services, and programs of theEVENT? Schomburg Center.
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The Schomburg Center offers four magnificent spaces that can house anywhere from 75 to 340 guests. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a lavish extravaganza, we have a space to meet your needs. While you and your guests are enjoying the fabulous and historic setting, you will know that you are helping support the collections, services, and programs of the Schomburg Center. For more information about hosting your special event at the Schomburg, please contact schomburgcenterevents@nypl.org.
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SUPPORT THE SCHOMBURG
SCHOMBURG SOCIETY
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! Membership in the Schomburg Society benefits the Schomburg Center—and you! By joining, you stand with thousands of members to help sustain the Schomburg’s outstanding collections, free public programs, exhibitions, educational outreach, and so much more.
JOIN TODAY AND SUPPORT THIS ESSENTIAL WORK
For a contribution of $35 or more, you will receive special benefits including: • A personalized membership card • A discount at The Schomburg Shop • A year-long subscription to our newsletter Africana Heritage • Invitations to special events and exhibition previews Visit us at schomburgcenter.org/support or call (212) 491-2252. If you are already a Schomburg Society member, then thank you—and please share this with a friend!
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Schomburg Center for research in black culture The New York Public Library
515 Malcolm X Boulevard | New York, New York 10037-1801
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DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER: All public programs are FREE unless noted otherwise. Registration is required: schomburgcenter.eventbrite.com All registered seats are released 30 minutes before start time, so we recommend that you arrive early. First come, first seated. For school programs, please email schomburgEd@nypl.org