Fresh off the heels of National Library Week—with its theme of Find Your Joy—the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture ushered in the season with a grand soirée for its 100th anniversary.
Held within the NYPL’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building earlier this month, the Harlem-based institution’s centennial gala also included a special awards ceremony highlighting honorees Angela Bassett, Solange Knowles, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Edwidge Danticat.
As guests—including Tina Knowles, Gayle King, Aurora James, Tamron Hall, Sunny Hostin, Thelma Golden, and Mickalene Thomas—arrived, they were greeted by a pre-sunset serenade of hymns delivered by The Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem’s choir. The stirring performance on the library’s grand exterior staircase—decorated with blooms and plush lavender carpeting—set the tone for what awaited inside.
After entering through the revolving doors, guests encountered the landmarked library transformed thanks to dazzling pastel lighting, a festive bar, and floral décor. “These are the perks of Schomburg membership,” Thomas laughed, as she danced by the gilded step-and-repeat. “I love being a member, obviously for the educational value, but also for culturally rewarding moments like tonight!”
Themed welcome cocktails curated by Deniseea Head included the rum-infused Like a Raisin in the Sun and a watermelon vodka spritz called Cotton Club’s Fizz. Meanwhile, trays of fruit tarts, chicken bites, and pommes frites made their way around the grand foyer before the crowd came together for a seated dinner.
A commanding dance and percussion performance by Batalá New York led guests in a ceremonial procession through the winding hallway and downstairs, where velvet-adorned tables filled the room. “I knew I had to be here tonight,” Hostin told Vogue. “At a time when Black history is under attack, and given what’s just happened with the Voting Rights Act, this event is just so important. And it’s beautiful in here!”
Designer Aurora James shared a similar sentiment: “I feel so blessed that we’re able to have an archive like the Schomburg, and hopefully more people will learn about it, visit it, and understand its true, critical importance.” Chiming in with agreement, musician and entrepreneur Benjamin Bronfman added: “Tonight’s gala and its ambiance underscore the Schomburg’s efforts.”
Once seated in The Celeste Bartos Forum, guests enjoyed a menu curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet. The delectable offering consisted of smoked beet aspic, spinach-stuffed chicken ballotine, pickled okra, and corn bread with seasoned butter. “I’m a Haitian-American from Queens, so I’m very familiar with the Schomburg. And because of tonight’s historical importance, I spent a number of hours there doing research in order to be well-versed and well-prepared for the menu,” Gourdet said.
During the program, spiritual remarks by Nafisa Sharriff enchanted the room, while Mahogany L. Browne read Langston Hughes’ seminal poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers. “I’m so in awe of how everything turned out for tonight; it’s perfect,” said Chris Chambers, a publicist and founder of The Chamber Group. Fashion designer Brandon Blackwood agreed: “This week has been so busy, obviously with the Met Gala, but tonight’s 100th anniversary of the Schomburg is super important to me.”
