December 15, 2024
Charles L. The Blockson African American Collection is dedicated to the preservation of African and Black American history.
Charles L. The Bloxon African American Collection celebrates its milestone with a memorial event on December 11. The collection, housed in Temple University’s Sullivan Hall, has been active in preserving African and black history for 40 years.
collection, was founded by author and historian Charles Bloxon, which houses over 700,000 artifacts from 1581 to the present day.
The special event opened with greetings and speeches from Joseph Lucia, Dean of Temple University Libraries; Gregory Mandel, Provost of the Temple; and Diane Turner to Charles L. Curator of the Bloxon African American Collection.’
Turner began. “We’re excited to celebrate the 40th anniversary. We’re passionate about continuing Mr. Bloxon’s legacy. Mr. Bloxon has always said it’s not about him. It is not about any of us. It’s about future generations having access to the global black experience.”
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Impact Valerie Harrison added: “As I have said many times, the Temple University family, the Philadelphia community, and people around the world owe Charles Blockson his relentless persecution of black people. the story and all its historical significance.”
Harrison continued. “His legacy will always live on and we are all better for it. It is exciting to see the Blockson Collection celebrate its 40th anniversary and I look forward to the lasting impact the collection has over the next 40 years.”
The Temple University celebration was attended by Senator Sharif Street, Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrants, Jani Blackwell, Ismail Jimenez, Director of Social Studies Curriculum for the School District of Philadelphia, and others.
Bloxon, who originally founded the collection, initially undertook the effort to collect African-American materials with a substitute teacher sitting in on a fourth-grade history class who told the class that “Negroes have no history and that they were born to serve the white man. “.
The Norristown, Pennsylvania resident began collecting black history-enriched pieces to prove his teacher wrong; now his mission has turned into a passion for preserving African history.
Bloxon died on June 14, 2023, at his home in Gwynedd, but his daughter, Noelle P. Bloxon recalls fond memories of his father developing his unique system for tracking all of the artifacts in the collection. “I distinctly remember putting up shelves in our finished basement, which turned into his personal library, and watching the boxes of books come into the house,” she said.
Before he died, Bloxon donated his collection of 20,000 artifacts to the Temple, which has now grown to include books, sculptures, newspapers and other rare pieces of black history.
Noel said. “It’s been an incredible honor to watch it grow in recognition and scope over the years. It’s just a beautiful, full-circle moment to see where it is today. It’s amazing. I’m proud.” and I’m honored.”
Charles L. Blockson’s African-American collection, Turner said, is a place for students to learn more about the black experience.
“When they come in here and they explore and find out about these things, for African-American students it gives them a sense of pride, and for other students it gives them an understanding and appreciation of the black experience,” Turner said.
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