Growing Up Black: The 22nd Annual Junior Scholars Program Youth Summit

Welcome to the Growing Up Black: The 22nd Annual Junior Scholars Program Youth Summit!

Step into the vibrant world of the 22nd Annual Youth Summit, 'Growing Up Black,' where the voices of our scholars resonate with the essence of contemporary Black experiences. Building upon the rich tapestry of history, their work draws inspiration from sources found within the archives at the Schomburg Center like the Brownies' Book, weaving a narrative that celebrates resilience, resistance, and the journey towards self-discovery. Through music, video production, spoken word, visual arts, and radio journalism, they paint a vivid portrait of the Black experience in today's world. This multimedia showcase will also feature Partner Presentations from Crossroads Juvenile Detention Center & Horizons Juvenile Detentions Center.

Get ready to be empowered, educated, and inspired at the 22nd Annual Junior Scholars Program Youth Summit. See you there!

DOORS OPEN AT 11 AM. PRESENTATIONS START AT 11:30 AM.

2024 JSP Youth Summit Projects

Black Fashion, The Style Of Us​ | Presented by​ JSP ​Media Scholars &​ Sharee Hereford

Through a captivating blend of interviews, photos, and personal narratives, our media project delves into the vibrant world of Black culture in fashion while exploring the unique experiences of growing up Black. From designers breaking barriers to activists and music artists challenging norms, we highlight the voices and stories shaping this dynamic landscape. Through compelling visuals and heartfelt accounts, we aim to celebrate the beauty, resilience, and creativity of Black culture in fashion.

“In Their Own Words” | Presented by​ JSP ​Radio Journalism Scholars &​ Amiri Tulloch

JSP’s Radio Journalism students are back with brand new episodes. This year, students studied and practiced the elements of podcasting and radio broadcasting, interviewing, and editing. The group is excited to present three conversations inspired by the theme “Growing Up Black”. In “Black Eats,” students discuss ideas of healthy and unhealthy eating habits in the black community, and how they connect to our cultural food traditions. In “Threads of Blackness,” students provide analysis of fashion, clothing, and trends, exploring the factors behind style. And, in “Appropriation vs. Appreciation,” students look into music artists, lyrics, and pop culture storylines to talk about the layered dynamics of listening to Black music.

"Letters from Home: The Black ABCs Reimagined," an exhibition | Presented by JSP Visual Arts Scholars &​ M. Scott Johnson

Step into "Letters from Home," a captivating exhibition curated by the innovative minds of the Junior Scholars Program, blending mediums like acrylic painting, photography, and artificial intelligence to revive the essence of the original Black ABCs. Much like historical iterations such as the Anti-Slavery Alphabet of 1846 and the Black ABCs of 1970, these symbols have historically empowered and educated, fostering activism and uplifting Black humanity. Grounded in the theme "Growing Up Black," scholars delved into Black identities and experiences, exploring treasures at the Schomburg with curator Barrye Brown, including The Brownies' Book by W.E.B. Du Bois. Their reimagined ABCs, born from deep curiosity and reverence, offer a nuanced exploration of twenty-first century Black life, echoing profound conversations and insights from their program journey.

Brownies' Book Soundtrack | Presented by JSP Music Scholars & Yannick Florest

Inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’ children’s digest series, the JSP Music '24 scholars have created the Brownie Book Soundtrack! Drawing from historic knowledge and contemporary culture, the Music Scholars composed, produced and wrote all the material for this year leading to the first-ever “double disc” music project in the Schomburg Junior Scholars’ history. Themed around Growing Up Black, the first disc are songs written and performed by the scholars’ experience of youth across the Diaspora. The second disc is a beat tape composed of instrumentals by the Music Group’s in-house production team.

Coming of Age | Presented by JSP Spoken Word Scholars & Subha Ahmed

Coming of age as a Black child in New York City in 2024 undoubtedly differs from our predecessors. We walk, talk, and dress differently—our dances, games, joys, and pains are undoubtedly distinct. Yet, amidst this change, there is a sameness, a continuity, a community in our youthful spirits from generation to generation. This year, we explored our struggles, ambitions, and legacies, while also paying homage to women and solemnly memorializing young women who have been victimized and attacked. We share our authentic truths surrounding what it means to be Black youth.

View previous Junior Scholar projects here: www.nypl.org/junior-scholars-program!

About the Junior Scholars Program: Over one hundred youth from the New York City area, ages 11 to 18, are selected to participate in this uniquely designed free Black studies program at the Schomburg Center. Saturday sessions run from 10 AM to 3 PM. and use an inquiry-based and project-based approach to teach about black American history and the global black experience.

Junior Scholars attend college-style lectures and presentations, engage in dialogue with adult scholars, participate in guided peer group discussions and activities, generate individual research projects and portfolios, and create collaborative media and art projects that grow from their intensive study based on the Schomburg’s vast collections, exhibitions, and educational resources.

Junior Scholars increase their historical literacy, expand their knowledge of who they are as intellectual, social, cultural, and artistic beings, embrace their legacy as African American citizens, and learn of the lands and cultures of their prolific and trailblazing ancestors. Learn more here: www.nypl.org/junior-scholars-program!

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 leahdrayton@nypl.org .

The Schomburg Junior Scholars program is made possible through the generous support of The Carver Scholarship Fund, the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., the New York City Council, and the New York State Legislature.

LEARN MORE! If you have questions about the program or education at the Schomburg, please contact the Schomburg Center's Junior Scholar Program Coordinator, Sira Marissa Lewis at siralewis@nypl.org.

COVID PROTOCOLS FOR IN-PERSON SCHOMBURG CENTER PROGRAMS

To ensure the health and safety of the public and our staff, policies and procedures created in collaboration with safety experts must be followed. Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask.

If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home.

PUBLIC NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

By registering for this event, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. By attending an in-person program at The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold The New York Public Library, its Trustees, officers, agent and employees liable for any illness or injury. If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home.