By HWM
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem continues its centennial celebrations in 2026 with a renewed focus on preserving and sharing Black history, literature, and cultural contributions. Established a century ago when the New York Public Library acquired Arturo Schomburg’s personal collection, the Center has grown into one of the foremost repositories of African American, African Diasporan, and African materials, documenting centuries of artistic, scholarly, and social achievements.
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Located on Malcolm X Boulevard between West 135th and 136th Streets, the Center’s roots stretch back to 1905 with the opening of the 135th Street Library, New York City’s first public library with an integrated staff. Over time, it became a hub for Harlem Renaissance figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, who recognized the importance of a space dedicated to Black voices and histories. In 1925, the library formalized its commitment to Black scholarship by founding the Division of Negro Literature, History, and Prints, which would eventually evolve into the Schomburg Center. Schomburg himself contributed more than 5,000 rare books, artifacts, and works of art, laying the foundation for the Center’s expansive collection that now totals over 11 million items, CBS News reported.
To mark its 100th anniversary, the Schomburg Center has released “100 Black Voices,” a curated reading list featuring one hundred books by Black authors from the last century. The selections, recommended by writers, scholars, and artists, reflect the breadth and depth of Black literary achievement. The list spans classics of the Harlem Renaissance, transformative works that shaped classrooms and cultural discourse, and contemporary titles generating critical acclaim today. Notable entries include Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Toni Morrison’s “Sula,” Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between the World and Me,” Yaa Gyasi’s “Homegoing,” and Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.”
Contributors to the list include cultural thought leaders like Jelani Cobb, Glenn Ligon, Imani Perry, Alison Stewart, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and James McBride. The initiative also offers a digital component, allowing NYPL cardholders to access a curated selection of the 100 titles as instant e-books and audiobooks through Feb. 28, Time Out New York reported.
The 100 Black Voices project underscores the Schomburg Center’s ongoing mission: to illuminate Black experiences, preserve cultural memory, and provide public access to knowledge that informs and inspires communities. A century after its founding, the Center remains a vital landmark for education, scholarship, and celebration of the Black diaspora.
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