New Brooklyn Library Card Celebrates Black American History

BROOKLYN, NY — A new library card celebrating Black Americans has been released by the Brooklyn Public Library just in time for Juneteenth.

The library unveiled the new card design Wednesday, five months after first asking for submissions for the "Black American Library Card Project," which was the brainchild of Community Board 3's Wendy A. Robinson.

The winning design, chosen from more than 400 submissions, was created by college student Jneyde “Nehemiah” Williams and features illustrations of prominent figures in Black history.

“The young artist Nehemiah designed a powerful, beautiful new library card that celebrates the continuity of Black American history,” BPL President Linda E. Johnson said. “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.”

Nehemiah’s illustration includes Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play Major League Baseball, Astronaut Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space and a young girl representing the hope of a new generation, according to the library.

She used bright colors common in African art to create a feeling of warmth, security, and rebirth, officials said.

“This achievement helped me learn to honor my hard work and continue to overcome my creative challenges,’” the 21-year-old artist said.

Nehemiah will be at Macon Library on Juneteenth for a special celebration that will include African drumming and storytelling. The event will start at 11:30 a.m.

At 3 p.m., 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.