Schomburg Society

Schomburg Junior Scholar

What makes the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture unique? Part of The New York Public Library, the Schomburg Center is a world-renowned research institution that provides free access to its wide-ranging collections that document the global Black experience. It is a home in Harlem, a vibrant community center, as well as a window into a wider world of study and exploration of the history and culture of people of African descent.

Through its powerful public exhibitions and cultural events, the Schomburg Center illuminates and illustrates the richness of Black experience and offers insight into aspects of Black history and culture often overlooked or misunderstood.

The Schomburg Center fulfills its mission thanks to the support of the Schomburg Society, a membership group made of supporters from around the country and around the world.

As a thank you for your generous support, when you join the Schomburg Society, you’ll receive exclusive and generous benefits such as:

  • Subscription to a members-only newsletter
  • Savings in the Schomburg Shop
  • Discounts on select Schomburg Center ticketed events
  • Invitations to members-only events
  • And so much more—see below.

Join the Schomburg Society today and help ensure that the Schomburg Center remains the intellectual and cultural heart of the Black community.

Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership • Monthly Giving • Honor and Memorial Gifts • Start Your Own Fundraising Campaign

Membership Benefits

Associate ($35-$49) | Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership

Fully tax-deductible

Novella Ford at Fireali Baez exhibition opening
  • Personalized special-edition Schomburg Centennial membership card
  • 10% discount at the Schomburg Shop, in-store and online
  • Access to the Schomburg Connection, our e-newsletter, with updates on news, programs, and events

Friend ($50-$99) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

Fully tax-deductible

All Associate benefits, plus:

  • 10% discount at the Library Shop located in the Stephen A. Schwarzman building
  • Opportunity to reserve two seats at select LIVE at NYPL programs
  • Discount on select ticketed Schomburg Center public programs
  • 20% discount at the Amy’s Bread café at select Library locations
  • Year's subscription to the exclusive Schomburg Society member newsletter
  • Invitations to members-only exhibition previews

Centennial Supporter ($100-$249) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $42 tax-deductible

All Friend benefits, plus:

  • Invitations to members-only VIP events, like author talks and panel presentations
  • An invitation for two to The New York Public Library’s annual Holiday Open House—the most festive event of the year
  • Access to quarterly members-only Centennial Double Discount weeks at the Schomburg Shop
  • A special-edition Schomburg Centennial tote bag
  • Members-only access to the Centennial exhibitions, opening in May 2025
  • Exclusive members access to the Schomburg Centennial community event in summer 2025

Patron ($250-$499) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $96 tax-deductible

All Centennial Supporter benefits, plus:

  • Opportunity to reserve two seats at select LIVE from NYPL programs
  • Two additional invitations to The New York Public Library's annual Holiday Open House, for a total of four
  • Invitation for two to the annual Book Swap, where members share favorite books and get reading recommendations from NYPL librarians
  • Exclusive Centennial members thank you gift

Sustainer ($500-$999) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $151 tax-deductible

All Patron benefits, plus:

  • Reserved seating at select Schomburg Center public programs
  • Four to attend the annual Friends Lecture Luncheon, featuring today's most exciting writers and thinkers
  • Two additional invitations to the annual Book Swap, for a total of four
  • A tour of Treasures of The New York Public Library with a Schomburg Center curator

Centennial Conservator ($1,000-$2,499) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $245 tax-deductible

Schomburg Center patrons

All Sustainer benefits, plus:

  • 10% discount on Schomburg Center space rentals
  • Gift a complimentary membership to a friend or family member ($100 Centennial Supporter)
  • Acknowledgement in the Schomburg Center member newsletter and The New York Public Library’s Annual Report
  • Two additional invitations to the annual Friends Lecture Luncheon, for a total of four
  • Small group research discussions with curators and scholars
  • An invitation to a Taste of the Schomburg Collections private dinner at the Schomburg Center or other venue

Heritage Circle ($2,500-$4,999) | Join • Renew • Monthly Giving • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $345 tax-deductible

All Centennial Conservator benefits, plus:

  • Private, behind-the-scenes tour of an exhibition or research division of your choice
  • Complimentary Business Leadership Council membership, where influential executives and leaders discuss market trends, business strategies, and ideas*
  • Private tour during the annual Schomburg Center Open House
  • Opportunity to purchase tickets to the Centennial Gala in spring 2026

Chief's Circle ($5,000-$9,999) | Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $447 tax-deductible

All Heritage Circle benefits, plus:

  • Private, behind-the-scenes tour of Schomburg Center collections
  • Invitations to exclusive Gallery Talk receptions
  • Invitation to Lenox and Astor Reading Groups, intimate events held in a private home with a distinguished writer

Renaissance Circle ($10,000+) | Join • Renew • Give the Gift of Membership

All except $658 tax-deductible

All Chief's Circle benefits, plus:

  • Gift a complimentary membership to a friend or family member ($250 Patron)*
  • Invitation to Cullman Center Luncheons, where Fellows discuss the projects they are working on throughout the year*
  • Invitation to attend the Bernstein Award ceremony, a prize given to groundbreaking journalists
  • Private lunch for you and a guest with the Schomburg Center Director

*This benefit is available upon request and may impact tax-deductibility.

All benefits subject to change

Join by Mail

Please make checks payable to Schomburg Center/NYPL and include "membership" in the memo. Send to

Schomburg Society

515 Malcolm X Boulevard

New York, NY 10037-1801

If you have any questions, contact the Schomburg Society Office at schomburgsociety@nypl.org or 212.491.2252.