December 15th 2024.
The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection is celebrating a significant milestone – 40 years of preserving African and Black history. On December 11, a special event was held at Temple University's Sullivan Hall to commemorate this momentous occasion. The collection, which was founded by author and historian Charles Blockson, has been a vital resource for over four decades, and it continues to grow in size and importance.
With more than 700,000 artifacts dating back to 1581, the Blockson Collection is a treasure trove of items that tell the story of the global Black experience. At the celebratory event, Temple University's Charles Library was abuzz with excitement and pride. The university's dean of libraries, Joseph Lucia, and provost, Gregory Mandel, joined Diane Turner, curator of the Blockson Collection, in delivering greetings and speeches to mark the occasion.
Turner, who has been a dedicated curator for many years, expressed her enthusiasm for the collection's 40th anniversary. She reiterated the collection's commitment to preserving the legacy of Charles Blockson, who always emphasized that it was not about him, but about future generations having access to a record of Black history. This sentiment was echoed by Valerie Harrison, vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion, and community impact, who praised Blockson for his tireless efforts in uncovering and sharing the Black narrative.
The event was attended by notable figures such as Senator Sharif Street, chair of the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, and Jannie Blackwell, director of social studies at the School District of Philadelphia. These individuals, along with others, paid tribute to Blockson's legacy and the impact of the Blockson Collection on the Temple University community and beyond.
Charles Blockson's daughter, Noelle P. Blockson, shared fond memories of her father's passion for collecting and preserving Black history. She recalled how he had started with a small personal library in the family's basement and watched it grow into the extensive collection it is today. Before his passing, Blockson donated his collection of 20,000 artifacts to Temple University, where it has continued to flourish and expand, now including books, sculptures, newspapers, and other rare ephemera.
Noelle expressed her pride and honor in seeing the collection recognized and appreciated by people from around the world. She emphasized the educational value of the collection, particularly for African-American students, who can feel a sense of pride and for other students who can gain a better understanding and appreciation of the Black experience.
In the midst of this celebration, it is essential to remember the original purpose behind the Blockson Collection. Charles Blockson was motivated to collect African American materials after a substitute teacher in fourth grade told his class that Black people had no history and were only meant to serve white people. This false and damaging statement sparked a fire in Blockson, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Blockson Collection has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and it is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of Charles Blockson and the entire Temple University community. As the collection continues to grow and make an enduring impact, it will always be a reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing the rich history of African and Black people.
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