Descendants of Arturo Schomburg & Malcolm X Meet Schomburg Center’s Junior Scholars Students
By Amiri Tulloch, Radio Journalism Educator, Schomburg Center’s Junior Scholars Program
In the heart of Harlem, descendants of two iconic families combined for a one-of-a-kind day of empowerment and legacy. On January 24, the Schomburg Center’s Junior Scholars Program hosted two honored guests: Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X’s daughter, and Aysha Schomburg, great-granddaughter of our Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture’s namesake Arturo Schomburg. Over 100 youth were present in the Langston Hughes Auditorium as Shabazz and Schomburg each participated in a panel interview and open Q&A. The two women spoke passionately about family lineage, growth, and their careers, and also offered advice to the young people in attendance. The day had even more significance: it marked the 152nd birthday of Mr. Schomburg, and it took place during the ongoing celebration of the Schomburg Center’s 100th year.
Moderated by two students and one instructor from the Junior Scholars Program, Schomburg took the stage first, and then Shabazz spoke after a lunch break. The moderators started by asking each guest a series of questions, and then halfway through each discussion, the youth audience asked questions.
