Gaining Career Insight: My Schomburg Center Internship Experience

My time as a LEAD Page at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has been an incredible experience, filled with self-discovery and insights into my future career path as a rising undergraduate. LEAD, which stands for Leadership, Exploration, and Development, is a fellowship program designed specifically for NYPL Pages, offering them the opportunity to work outside their library branch and gain new skills and experiences. Every Friday morning, I step off the elevator on the 3rd floor, where the Photographs and Prints Division is located, and am greeted by an array of 19th-century cabinet cards. I feel honored and privileged to work in such a space, one that holds immense historical importance.

The first time I learned about the Schomburg was last spring, during my “African American History from Emancipation to the Present” class at the City College of New York, when we took a field trip there. As a Harlem native, I was deeply impacted, realizing for the first time that an institution like this existed right in my neighborhood. I visited again for the Afrodiaspora End-of-Year Employee Resource Group (ERG) meeting at the American Negro Theatre, where I witnessed the Schomburg’s impact on youth, exemplified by walls adorned with art and alphabets designed by Black students. This visit also included an official tour, where I saw the exhibition, The Ways of Langston Hughes: Griff Davis and Black Artists in the Making. Seeing rare photographs of Langston Hughes and learning about his contributions to Harlem left a lasting impression on me.

When the LEAD Cohort 4 Application opened, I knew exactly where I wanted to do my fellowship. As a LEAD Page in the Photographs and Prints division, I’ve had the unique opportunity to explore collections, take photographs, and draft social media posts to highlight select items. Through this work, I’ve uncovered hidden gems that are often unknown to the public. One example is a scrapbook documenting Josephine Baker’s time in Japan during the 1950s, created by her friend Miki Sawada. It includes fascinating photos of Baker in a kimono on stage and clippings from Japanese publications.

Another collection I discovered is from the Motion Picture Stills Collection, which offers a behind-the-scenes archival look at The Wiz, the 1978 Universal Studios and Motown Productions adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. This collection highlights the artistry and legacy of one of the most celebrated musicals in Black cinema. It features promotional photographs of iconic scenes and rehearsals with stars Diana Ross, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Richard Pryor, and Michael Jackson, as well as a press conference with the actors and director Sidney Lumet. These materials provide a unique glimpse into the making of this beloved film.

I’ve also had the privilege to learn about Black photographers like Marilyn Nance, especially her work on the Black Religion Project, which features candid moments from Black religious and spiritual practices in the 1980s. Her photos include gospel performances at the Apollo Theatre, scenes from the Oyotunji Yoruba Village at the Queen’s Festival, and gatherings like a Jehovah’s Witness convention at Yankee Stadium. Additionally, I’ve explored the works of Lorry Salcedo-Mitrani, particularly in Africa's Legacy in Peru/Africa's Legacy in Brazil. His photographs beautifully document Afro-Brazilians practicing capoeira on Calhetas Beach, honoring Yemanjá, and Afro-Peruvians dancing during the Yunza festival and the Virgin of Carmen procession.

It has truly been an honor to work at the Schomburg Center, especially in the Photographs and Prints Division. As someone minoring in Black Studies, contributing even a little to the preservation of Black history and culture is something I will never forget. The support and mentorship I received from the staff have been invaluable. My supervisor, Jack Patterson, Archivist of the Photographs and Prints Division, set the tone on my first day by handing me A History of Black Photographers 1840 to the Present: Reflections in Black by Deborah Willis, a former curator of the Schomburg Center’s Photographs and Prints Division. His encouragement to learn and explore has been instrumental in deepening my understanding of Black history and archival work. La Tanya Autry, the Associate Curator of the Photographs and Prints Division, provided invaluable advice and encouraged me to write this blog post, often reminding me that the work I was doing was meaningful. It is in their footsteps that I hope to follow as I continue along this career path.

As I prepare to graduate this spring, I am excited to carry forward what I’ve learned at Schomburg and pursue a career dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black history and culture.