Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture

On yet another freezing winter day, only four Greeters showed up at the Schomburg Center in Harlem. Subway trains 1, 2 and 3 had totally conked out, so most Greeters couldn’t get to this joyful adventure – three exciting exhibits in recognition of Black History Month.Carey Byrd, Volunteer Chairperson of the Docent Committee, was our guide for each exhibit. THE DEEP SOUTH – Then & Now showcases 25 images taken by photographer Kenneth B. Goldberg. He visited some of the landmark places of the Civil Rights Movement both in the past and again in the present. Seeing the same places at different times was quite moving. This exhibit runs until May 31, 2014.Next we became dancing fools as we visited MOTOWN – The Truth Is a Hit. We listened to the soulful “Motown Sounds” that claimed 1960s America and became the voice of an entire generation. The exhibit traces black music from its African roots up until present day.We also learned about Motown founder, Berry Gordy, who started out as a songwriter. In 1959, his family loaned him $800, and before you could say “I Heard it through the Grapevine,” the Motown Record Corporation was the largest black-owned business in the world! This exhibit lasts through July 26, 2014.FUNKY TURNS 40. From 1900 to 1960, Hollywood’s greatest animators produced over 600 cartoons featuring black characters. During this pre-Civil Rights Era, these films portrayed blacks as less than human or as minstrel caricatures. It wasn’t until the late 60s and early 70s that Saturday morning television cartoons showed black animated characters in a positive light. The exhibit explores the impact these characters had on young people. It runs through June 14, 2014To learn about other exciting exhibitions, visit schomburgcenter.org or call 917-275-6975.