Posts from the Schomburg Research and Reference Division

Use Schomburg Center materials to continue the conversations on the concepts of freedom, which were raised during panel discussion during the 2021 Schomburg Center Literary Festival.

Recently published biographies and memoirs that tell the stories of some of the legendary figures, iconic personalities, and influential activists who have shaped hip-hop music and culture from its early years through the present day.

You may not associate people of African descent with country music, but the music genre that was once called “hillbilly music”—which evolved from European music and African influences—benefited from the cultural exchange of Blacks and whites in the American south.

Considered to be the voice of the people, and rooted in the tradition of storytelling, folk music echoes with the everyday experiences and struggles of ordinary people.

Lewis was a pioneer of development economics and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, among many other accolades.

These books highlight artists who have made a significant impact on the world stage as well as those who have produced hits behind the scenes. They also examine the ways in which Caribbean music has been created, enjoyed, performed, and studied.

June is Black Music Month and we begin our celebration with Prince whose boundary-pushing music provided the soundtrack to the lives of so many.

Throughout American history, law enforcement and those with racial prejudices have weaponized the law in attempts to imprison, punish, and silence Black people. Using the Schomburg Center’s resources, learn about past court cases that have impacted the Black community and activists, and how they responded.

Police killings of Black people are painful reminders of not only our history in this nation but, all too often, our present.

Earth Day, which promotes protecting the environment, is on April 22. The day can also be a starting point on discussions such as climate change, environmental racism, agriculture, and more. Zakiya Collier, digital archivist in our Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books Division, and Michael Mery, acting curator of our Photographs and Prints Division, share digital resources to help spark those conversations.

Novella Ford, associate director of Public Programs and Exhibitions, share her picks of Livestream talks to watch.

The Schomburg Center has over 1,100 digitized collections and 300 Livestream programs online. Curators, librarians, and staff share their picks of materials to explore.

Tammi Lawson, curator of the Art & Artifacts Division, shares her pick of a Schomburg Center digital collection to explore.

Dr. Brian Jones, associate director of Schomburg Educational Programs, shares his suggestions for compelling education content including projects by the Junior Scholars and Teen Curators programs.

Staff of the Jean Blackwell Hutson Research Research and Reference Division suggest some highlights of the collections to explore.

Dr. Michelle Commander shares her picks of Schomburg Center digital collections and Livestream conversations to explore.

Cheryl Beredo, curator of the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, and Digital Archivist Zakiya Collier share their picks of digital collections to explore.

Michael Mery, acting curator of the Photographs and Prints Division, shares his picks of digital collections to explore.

During her tenure, Hutson grew the Schomburg’s collection from 15,000 to 75,000 volumes, including the archive of her friend Langston Hughes, and successfully lobbied for money and support for the Center. The research and reference division now bears her name.