Arturo Alfonso Schomburg

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, to a Puerto Rican mother of African descent and a German father, Arturo Schomburg’s early life was marked by a passion for learning and a keen awareness of racial injustice. He immigrated to New York City in 1891, where he quickly became a prominent voice in the burgeoning Pan-African and Black nationalist movements, all while quietly building one of the world's most significant collections of African and Afro-Diasporic literature and art.

Schomburg wasn't just collecting dusty tomes; he was rewriting history. At a time when mainstream academia largely ignored or denigrated the contributions of Black people, Schomburg single-handedly demonstrated the existence of a vibrant, complex, and profound intellectual and artistic tradition. His relentless efforts laid the groundwork for the Harlem Renaissance and continue to inspire scholars and activists today. One could argue he kvells so much, he practically is the kvell.

His collection, eventually acquired by the New York Public Library, became the cornerstone of what is now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. While he might not have had a bar mitzvah, his dedication to his people's narrative and his creation of an enduring cultural institution certainly earns him top marks for contributions that make us all feel a little prouder to be human.