GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images @ The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture // Reception @ 5:30PM on Wed, February 1st, 2012

Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture present a jubilee exhibition entitled GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images. This exhibition will celebrate 25 historic years of GMAD on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012. Reception 5:30pm with exhibit & panel discussion 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, NY. GOOGLE MAP HERE

Attendance is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

GMAD is working to improve quality of life within the New York City black gay community by effectively fighting the triple threat of AIDS, homophobia and racism through education, advocacy, health and wellness and social support. Tokes Osubu, GMAD Executive Director will lead a panel discussion at the exhibition focusing on history, progress and the future of GMAD and its initiatives affecting and supporting Gay Men Of African Descent here and abroad. www.gmad.org

The crème de la crème of the philanthropic, arts and entertainment industries will be in attendance to support and honor these innovators and members of the LGBT community on their very special day.

GMAD at 25: A History in Words and Images is co-curated by Dr. Kevin McGruder, former Executive Director of GMAD and current Scholar-in-Residence at the Schomburg Center; and Steven G. Fullwood, Project Director for the Black Gay & Lesbian Archive at the Schomburg Center.

Initial funding of the LGBT Initiative provided by Time Warner Inc., with additional support from M.A.C. AIDS Fund; Arcus Foundation; and Friends of the LGBT Initiative.

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Stand With Us In Support Of The Schomburg Center

Dear Friends of the Schomburg,

The story is now legend.

As a young boy, when told that Black people had no history, Arturo Schomburg began amassing the irrefutable evidence… books, manuscripts, art, photos, film, music and more… that formed the foundation of the Schomburg Center.

In his quest, he understood that he couldn’t do this essential work alone. He called on his friends in Harlem -- Langston Hughes, Aaron Douglas, Zora Neale Hurston, and many more -- to help him. As a result, the Schomburg Center has become not only the preeminent intellectual center of the African Diaspora, but also one of the premier research libraries of The New York Public Library.

Like Mr. Schomburg, we are calling on friends like you to stand with us in support of the Schomburg Center, particularly now during one of the most fiscally dire times in the history of the Center.

Recent and proposed budget cuts have threatened critical key elements of the Schomburg's activities. These include our award-winning public programs —films, exhibitions, lecture series, symposia, and more. When our programs are cut, our ability to share stories of the African Diaspora in an authentic voice with audiences of all ages and races is put at risk.

You’ve been an active participant in the life of the Center, either online or at our locations in Harlem, and we deeply appreciate your involvement. Now we’re hoping you’ll increase your commitment to the Center during this time of need and become a member of The Schomburg Society today. Join with the many other people from across the country who have come to understand that protecting and preserving the legacy of Africana history and culture is simply too important to be left to others. I hope we can count on you to join with us. Thank you.

Warmly,

Howard Dodson
Chief

P.S.> Not only will your membership in The Schomburg Society afford you a variety of benefits, but you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to the sustenance of this remarkable institution. Thank you again.