Schomburg Center
JUNIOR SCHOLARS
PROGRAM

Our Mission

The Junior Scholars Program is a learning community that champions youth leadership, critical thinking, and creative expression through research, collaboration, and activism.

Our Work

Historical

Literacy

Creative

Expression

Community

Activism

The Schomburg Center's Junior Scholars Program is a tuition-free youth development program that promotes historical literacy through college-style lectures, presentations, and project-based learning. Junior Scholars conduct research and create original art inspired by their intensive study of the Schomburg Center’s archives, exhibitions, and educational resources.

The young people who come to the Junior Scholars Program are eager to learn their history, build long-lasting friendships/mentorships, and affect change in their communities. Our Junior Scholars not only receive college-level access and exposure to the archives, but they also develop and strengthen their self-awareness, self-identity, and self-esteem. Guided by our three "Pillars of the Program" (Historical Literacy, Creative Expression, and Community Activism), the Schomburg's Junior Scholars increase their knowledge of Black history and cultivate themselves to be the next generation of intellectual, social, cultural, and artistic influencers.

Our Youth

The Junior Scholars Program serves dynamic youth (ages of 11-18) from across New York City's five boroughs and the Tri-State area. Our scholars attend public, private, alternative, and home schools and they recruited based on their curiosity and commitment, not grade point average or test scores. More than 50% of Junior Scholars have attended the program for more than 2-3 years.

17th Annual Junior Scholars Youth Summit

WHAT JUNIOR SCHOLARS ARE SAYING?

"For as long as I can remember I have been incredibly passionate about racial justice and equality, especially for black people. Unfortunately, immense passion is not enough to make a difference. In order to educate the people around me about the injustices our people face, I needed concrete, clear, factual information about the history of black people and current inequalities/injustices. Junior Scholars so clearly provides that information and makes me excited about sharing it."