About this Event
IN PERSON
JAN 22 | 6:30 PM Program
Featuring Dr. Claudine Gay
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture proudly presents the Annual Arturo A. Schomburg Lecture and Conversation featuring the distinguished political scientist and academic leader, Dr. Claudine Gay. She is the Wilbur A. Cowett Professor of Government and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Gay served as the University’s 30th president.
Join us for our annual event marking the anniversary of the birth of Afro-Puerto Rican scholar Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (1874-1938) and illuminating scholars whose work reflects the vision of our namesake. Schomburg was a writer, bibliophile, and historian dedicated to the collection and amplification of the artistic and academic work of people of African descent. 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.
As a leading scholar specializing in race, identity, and political behavior, Dr. Gay embodies the highest levels of academic excellence and institutional leadership. Her scholarship and high-profile role places her at the center of national dialogues concerning race, academic freedom, DEI, and the future of Black leadership, making this a vital conversation in the current climate. Dr. Gay will present a brief lecture, then conversation with Joy Bivins, Director of the Schomburg Center.
This event is free and open to the public, but due to space constraints registration is required. We generally overbook to ensure a full house, so we recommend that you arrive early.
We will close the evening with celebratory reception.
Photo: (Top) Performers Candice Michelle Franklin and Franck Muhel dance at the celebration of Arturo Schomburg's birthday in 2025. Photo by Isseu Diouf Campbell.
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ABOUT CLAUDINE GAY
Claudine Gay is the Wilbur A. Cowett Professor of Government and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. Gay served as the University’s 30th president. Prior to becoming president, Gay led Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) as the Edgerley Family Dean and, earlier in her career, served as the dean of social science in the FAS.
As FAS dean, Gay guided efforts to expand student access and opportunity, spur excellence and innovation in teaching and research, enhance aspects of the FAS’s academic culture, and bring new emphasis and energy to areas such as quantum science and engineering; climate change; ethnicity, indigeneity, and migration; and the humanities. She successfully led the FAS through the COVID pandemic, consistently and effectively prioritizing the dual goals of safeguarding community health and sustaining academic continuity and progress. She expanded undergraduate financial aid, raising the “bright line” below which students attend Harvard College at no cost to $85K annual family income, even while bringing FAS cash reserves to unprecedented levels. She also launched and led an ambitious, inclusive, and faculty-driven strategic planning process, taking a fresh look at fundamental aspects of the FAS’s structures, resources, and operations and to advance academic excellence. Gay is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the proud daughter of Haitian immigrants.
LEARN MORE
This year, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding! Join us all year long for a wide array of special events, exhibitions, and more as we celebrate this milestone and continue the legacy of Arturo Schomburg.
Schomburg100 | Exhibition | Special-Edition Library Card | Become a Member
#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.
ACCESSIBLILITY Accessibility requests can be made by e-mail [email protected].
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 personal and professional video recordings are prohibited without expressed consent.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, United States
USD 0.00
