Podcast Summary: ALL OF IT – The Schomburg Center Celebrates its Centennial

Episode: The Schomburg Center Celebrates its Centennial
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Joy Bivins, Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Introduction

In this special centennial episode of WNYC's ALL OF IT, host Alison Stewart welcomes listeners to celebrate 100 years of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Live from the WNYC studios in Soho, the episode features an insightful conversation with Joy Bivins, the center’s director, alongside a live performance by local Bossa nova musicians John Roseborough and Mai Simonez. The discussion centers around the Schomburg’s rich history, its cultural significance, and the extensive celebrations planned for its 100th anniversary.

Centennial Milestone

The episode opens by marking the centennial anniversary of the Schomburg Center. Alison Stewart provides a brief history, noting that on May 8, 1925, the New York Public Library inaugurated the Division of Negro Literature, History, and Prints at its 135th Street branch. This division, now known as the Schomburg Center, was founded by Arturo Schomburg, a Black Puerto Rican intellectual dedicated to preserving Black culture and history.

Alison Stewart [00:27]: "This week marks the 100th birthday of an uptown institution, a national historic landmark, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture."

The Exhibition: "100: A Century of Collections, Community and Creativity"

Joy Bivins discusses the newly curated exhibition, "100: A Century of Collections, Community and Creativity," which celebrates the center's vast collections and its role in fostering a vibrant Black community. The exhibition showcases over 11 million objects, including rare books, manuscripts, and artworks, emphasizing the interplay between the center’s collections and the community it serves.

Joy Bivins [04:41]: "We wanted to really look at the interplay of all of those things [collections, community, creativity]."

Selection of Objects and Exhibition Curation

Bivins elaborates on the meticulous curation process for the centennial exhibition. Faced with an "embarrassment of riches," she collaborated with curators from various divisions to select artifacts that not only reflect the Schomburg’s history but also introduce visitors to lesser-known treasures.

Joy Bivins [04:23]: "The criteria was ultimately like, what can we share with our guests… and had something very deeply grounded in our beginning."

Arturo Schomburg: Legacy and Impact

A significant portion of the conversation delves into the life and legacy of Arturo Schomburg. Born in Puerto Rico in 1874, Schomburg was a relentless collector of Black literature, history, and art, aiming to "fill in the missing pages of global history." His efforts ensured that Black contributions were documented and celebrated, profoundly influencing Black studies and cultural preservation.

Joy Bivins [10:56]: "Arturo Schomburg was in the pursuit of what he called vindicating evidences that really show the contributions, the accomplishments of Black people… throughout world history."

Notable Figures in Schomburg’s History

Katharine Latimer

Bivins highlights Katharine Latimer, the first Black librarian in the New York Public Library System. Hired in 1920, Latimer played a crucial role in indexing and cataloging Black literature, ensuring that Black voices were accessible to researchers and the community.

Joy Bivins [16:36]: "Katherine Latimer… creating scrapbooks…and finding things that were written about Black people so that other Black people can find them."

Jean Blackwell Hudson

Jean Blackwell Hudson, former chief of the Schomburg Center, is celebrated for her transformative leadership from 1948. Under her guidance, the center transitioned from a branch library to a research institution, ensuring better preservation of collections and greater independence from city funding.

Joy Bivins [18:47]: "Under her, we moved from the Schomburg collection, part of a branch library, to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture."

Listener and Guest Stories

The episode features heartfelt testimonials from listeners who have been influenced by the Schomburg Center. For instance, a listener named Sheila, an art history student, shares her positive experiences using the center’s resources and attending concerts.

Sheila [23:18]: "I found it so rich and so welcoming and so important. This is not just for Harlem. This is for the whole city."

Additionally, a guest recounts personal connections made at the Schomburg, including meeting a spouse through involvement with an Aaron Douglas exhibition.

Unknown Guest [27:03]: "I also met my wife because of that gig. A lot of love to everyone at the library."

Centennial Celebrations: Events and Programs

Joy Bivins outlines the extensive lineup of events planned to commemorate the Schomburg’s 100th anniversary. Highlights include:

• Opening Celebration (May 8): Featuring a spiritual ceremony and conversations with former directors Howard Dodson and Khalil Muhammad.
• Centennial Festival (Summer): Including "Tasting the Schomburg Collections," culinary events inspired by the center’s cookbook collections with chefs like Marcus Samuelsson.
• Jean Blackwell Hudson Lecture and Award (September): Honoring significant contributions to Black culture and scholarship.
• Black Comic Book Festival: A vibrant celebration combining literature, cosplay, and community engagement.

Joy Bivins [27:57]: "This Thursday, we are welcoming the public… and this summer we will have our centennial festival."

Artistic Heritage: Aaron Douglas Murals

The conversation touches on the prominent murals by Aaron Douglas, titled "Aspects of Negro Life." Commissioned for the 135th Street Branch Library as part of a New Deal art project, these murals depict the historical journey of Black people from Africa to urban centers, serving as both artistic masterpieces and powerful storytelling mediums.

Joy Bivins [14:33]: "These murals… trace the history of black people… through color, through images of the city, through images of the plantation."

Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to visit the Schomburg Center’s website for more information on the centennial events and to participate in the ongoing celebrations.

Alison Stewart [29:20]: "Schomburg.org 100everything. Happy 100th birthday to the Schomburg."

Joy Bivins expresses gratitude for the celebration and reiterates the center’s commitment to continuing its legacy of preserving and promoting Black culture and history.

Joy Bivins [29:32]: "Thank you, thank you. Thank you so much."

Notable Quotes:

• Joy Bivins [04:41]: "We wanted to really look at the interplay of all of those things [collections, community, creativity]."
• Joy Bivins [10:56]: "Arturo Schomburg was in the pursuit of what he called vindicating evidences that really show the contributions, the accomplishments of Black people… throughout world history."
• Joy Bivins [16:36]: "Katherine Latimer… creating scrapbooks…and finding things that were written about Black people so that other Black people can find them."
• Sheila [23:18]: "I found it so rich and so welcoming and so important. This is not just for Harlem. This is for the whole city."
• Joy Bivins [14:33]: "These murals… trace the history of black people… through color, through images of the city, through images of the plantation."

This episode of ALL OF IT provides a comprehensive overview of the Schomburg Center’s century-long journey, emphasizing its pivotal role in preserving Black culture and fostering community engagement. Through historical insights, personal stories, and detailed descriptions of upcoming festivities, listeners gain a deep appreciation for the Schomburg’s enduring legacy and its vibrant future.