Annual Arturo A. Schomburg Lecture and Conversation

January 24 marks the anniversary of the birth of Afro-Puerto Rican scholar Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (1874-1938), a writer, bibliophile, and historian dedicated to the collection and amplification of the artistic and academic work of people of African descent. Schomburg's seed collection to the Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints included more than 5,000 books; 3,000 manuscripts; 2,000 etchings and paintings; and several thousand pamphlets. Schomburg served as curator of the Division from 1932 until his death in 1938. Schomburg's commitment led to the creation of the Schomburg Collection and subsequently the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Join us for our annual event celebrating the life of Arturo Schomburg and illuminating scholars whose work reflects the vision of our namesake.

This year's annual lecture will feature members from the teams at Fisk University and the Schomburg Center who, in partnership, are creating a digital edition of the archival papers of Arturo Schomburg, the bibliophile who built two of the world’s most important collections on Black history—one in Harlem and another in Nashville. In Conversation will be Barrye Brown, Curator, Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Dr. Laura Helton, Associate Professor of English and History at the University of Delaware, Dr. Melanie Chambliss, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Rochester, and DeLisa Minor Harris, Director of Library Services at Fisk University. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Vanessa K. Valdés, author of Diasporic Blackness: The Life and Times of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (2017).

Following the program, stay for a dessert reception celebrating the 151st birthday of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg!

This lecture is sponsored by Rare Book School and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship for Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Heritage.

12 PM - 7 PM | Pop-up Display

Visit the center to view a selection of items from Arturo Schomburg's originalcollection and learn more about the origins of the Schomburg Center.

Accessibility requests can be made by e-mail [email protected].

#SchomburgLive

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FIRST COME, FIRST SEATED Events are free and open to all, but due to space constraints registration is requested. Registered guests are given priority check-in 15 to 30 minutes before start time. After the event starts all registered seats are released regardless of registration, so we recommend that you arrive early. We generally overbook to ensure a full house.

GUESTS Please note that holding seats in the Langston Hughes Auditorium is strictly prohibited and there is no food or drinks allowed anywhere in the Schomburg Center.

E-TRANSPORTATION NYPL policy prohibits electric transportation devices (e.g., motorbikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards) from being brought into or stored at library sites for any length of time, as this is the best way to keep our spaces & people safe.

AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING Programs are photographed and recorded by the Schomburg Center. Attending this event indicates your consent to being filmed/photographed and your consent to the use of your recorded image for any all purposes of the New York Public Library.

PRESS Please send all press inquiries (photo, video, interviews, audio-recording, etc) at least 24-hours before the day of the program to Leah Drayton at [email protected].

Please note that professional video recordings are prohibited without expressed consent.

Host or Publisher Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture