On this day, Yale University opened the James Weldon Johnson Memorial Collection of African American Arts and Letters at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Established by Carl Van Vechten, a white patron of the Harlem Renaissance and close friend of Johnson, the collection was one of the first at a major university dedicated to preserving the artistic, literary, and historical contributions of African Americans. It honors James Weldon Johnson—poet, educator, lawyer, and civil rights activist—whose legacy continues to inspire generations.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
