Lesson
Celebrating 100 Years of Black Culture
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
The Schomburg Center marks its centennial by showcasing Black culture and history, highlighting the contributions of Arturo Schomburg.
Pick your level
Standard — Natural English
63 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
The Schomburg Center is 100 years old. It celebrates Black culture and history. Arturo Schomburg collected many important items. He showed that Black people have a rich history. The center has over 11 million items. It helps people learn about the African diaspora.Standard version (B1–B2)
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Founded by Arturo Schomburg, the center holds over 11 million items that document the history and culture of Black Americans. Schomburg, who was born in Puerto Rico, dedicated his life to collecting materials that showcase the global Black experience, countering the narrative that Black people lack significant history.Advanced version (C1–C2)
This year marks the centennial celebration of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a pivotal institution founded by Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, who was born in Puerto Rico. Schomburg's relentless pursuit of collecting art, books, and artifacts challenged the prevailing notion that Black people had no significant history. The center now houses over 11 million items that not only detail the injustices faced by Black Americans but also celebrate their rich cultural heritage. As the nation commemorates its 250th anniversary, the Schomburg Center stands as a testament to the global Black experience, showcasing diverse narratives from the African diaspora.Lesson audio
Standard level
Tap to play
Test your understanding
01Who founded the Schomburg Center?
02How many items does the Schomburg Center have?
03What did Schomburg collect to show Black history?
04What does the Schomburg Center celebrate this year?
Discussion
How does the Schomburg Center contribute to our understanding of Black history?
Vocabulary
counter-narrative word
an alternative story that challenges the main idea
“The Schomburg Center provides a counter-narrative to the idea that Black people lack history.”
diaspora word
the movement of a group of people away from their homeland
“The African diaspora includes Black communities around the world.”
accomplishments word
achievements or successes
“Arturo Schomburg wanted to show the accomplishments of Black people.”
curate word
to select and organize items for display
“The staff at the Schomburg Center curate important historical items.”
artifacts word
objects made by humans that have historical significance
“The Schomburg Center has many artifacts that tell the story of Black culture.”