Solange Knowles and Angela Bassett Honored at Schomburg Center Centennial Gala
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture celebrated its 100th anniversary with a gala at the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. Honorees included Angela Bassett, Solange Knowles, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Edwidge Danticat, who received the Schomburg Medals of Excellence. Guests were greeted by the Abyssinian Baptist Church choir and enjoyed performances by Batalá New York and Andra Day. The evening featured a menu by chef Gregory Gourdet, remarks by NYPL president Anthony W. Marx and Senator Chuck Schumer, and an after-party with DJ Young Wavy Fox. The event underscored the Schomburg's role in preserving Black history amid current political challenges.
Key facts
- The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture held its centennial gala at the NYPL's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.
- Honorees included Angela Bassett, Solange Knowles, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Edwidge Danticat.
- The Abyssinian Baptist Church choir performed on the library's grand staircase.
- Batalá New York led a ceremonial procession with dance and percussion.
- Andra Day performed 'Rise Up' during dessert.
- Chef Gregory Gourdet curated a menu featuring smoked beet aspic and spinach-stuffed chicken ballotine.
- Sunny Hostin noted the event's importance given attacks on Black history and the Voting Rights Act.
- The gala included an after-party with DJ Young Wavy Fox.
Entities
Artists
- Solange Knowles
- Angela Bassett
- Henry Louis Gates Jr.
- Nikole Hannah-Jones
- Edwidge Danticat
- Tina Knowles
- Gayle King
- Aurora James
- Tamron Hall
- Sunny Hostin
- Thelma Golden
- Mickalene Thomas
- Benjamin Bronfman
- Andra Day
- Joy Bivins
- Sunshine Outing
- Anthony W. Marx
- Abby S. Milstein
- Chuck Schumer
- Gregory Gourdet
- Mahogany L. Browne
- Nafisa Sharriff
- Chris Chambers
- Brandon Blackwood
- Deniseea Head
- Howard Milstein
- Jamila Robinson
- Anna Glass
- Sade Lythcott
- Melissa Murray Hill
- Pat Zollar
- Al Zollar
- Dee Dee Bridgewater
- Sherri Brewer
- Tony Marx
- Marilyn Schomburg
- Dean Schomburg
- Tremaine Emory
- Stinson Parks III
- Victoria Rodgers
- Tia Vanich
- Carol Alexander
- Stephanie Lawson-Muhammad
- Howard Dodson
- Latham Thomas
- Ming Smith
Institutions
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
- New York Public Library
- Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
- The Abyssinian Baptist Church of Harlem
- Batalá New York
- The Celeste Bartos Forum
- Astor Hall
- The Chamber Group
- Vogue
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Harlem
- Queens
- Haiti