Winning Card Designed By Local College Student, Selected from Over 400 Artist Submissions
New Card Celebrates Brooklyn’s Black History and Culture
See images of new card here.
BROOKLYN—Brooklyn Public Library released a new library card today celebrating Black Americans. The design for the new card was created by college student Jneyde “Nehemiah” Williams. Judging panels of community members, librarians, graphic designers and academics selected the design from over 400 artist submissions.
“The young artist Nehemiah designed a powerful, beautiful new library card that celebrates the continuity of Black American history,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “We hope it will inspire readers of all ages to explore the special collections and dynamic programs at our African American Heritage Center, and remind them that Black lives have always, and will always, matter.”
In January, BPL put out an open call for artists to submit their designs for a library card. Over 400 artists answered the call to create a library card celebrating Black American history, contributions, and culture.
Nehemiah’s winning illustration depicts historical figures—ranging from Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play Major League Baseball to Astronaut Mae Jemison the first black woman in space—along with a young girl representing the hope of a new generation. She used bright colors common in African art to create a feeling of warmth, security, and rebirth.
“This achievement helped me learn to honor my hard work and continue to overcome my creative challenges. In the words of my favorite philosopher, Plotinus, ‘I am striving to give back the divine in myself to the divine in the all,’” said the artist known as Nehemiah.
Just 21 years old, Nehemiah was a student at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) when she created the drawing. This fall she will enroll at Baruch College.
The library card, which will be available later this month, begin as a proposal from Wendy A. Robinson from Community Board 3’s Parks, Arts & Culture Committee to celebrate and raise awareness of the African American Heritage Center at Macon Library.
“As a community resident and board member of Bedford Stuyvesant Community Board 3, I’m excited and grateful that fellow board members and the Brooklyn Public Library team saw and embraced my vision for the limited-edition Black American Library card designed to bring attention to the newly renovated African-American Heritage Center along with highlight the contributions of African-Americans with the aid of local visual artists,” said Wendy Robinson, Community Board 3. “I foresee the Black American Library card not only encouraging new patrons but restoring an interest from older patrons in the vast resources and programming BPL offers its community members.”
Representatives from the community board served on the selection committee and have been champions of the project throughout the spring.
"Community Board #3 is proud that one of our very own members, Wendy Robinson, initiated the concept of a Black American Library Card. I commend the leadership of the Parks, Arts and Culture Committee of Community Board #3 for supporting and advocating for Wendy's idea: Vice-Chair, T.J. Wilson and Chair Marion Little. We thank the Brooklyn Public Library for following up on the idea with a contest, and ultimately selecting a library card design to honor the Black Americans who have contributed so much to the cultural and intellectual life of our borough, city, state and nation,” said Richard Flateau, Chair, Community Board 3. “The Black American Library Card is an important symbolic gesture that will remind children and adults of all races and ethnicities that we can all make valuable contributions to the life of the mind."
Nehemiah will be at Macon Library on Juneteenth for a special celebration beginning at 11:30 including African drumming and storytelling. In addition, at 3 pm. on Juneteenth, BPL’s Center for Brooklyn History will debut Brooklyn Resists, an ongoing, multifaceted public history initiative exploring racial protest in Brooklyn from the beginning of the civil rights era to the present. All other branches will be closed to observe the holiday.
Additional Juneteenth programming throughout the month includes storytimes, performances and lectures.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.