Mocombe's 2024-2025 choices were based on the idea of “The Black Artist,” and include a diverse range of volumes that span ancient Egyptian art to Alvin Ailey and Def Jam.
Every year since 2020, the library has collaborated with a student to develop a new collection that highlights Black or Indigenous authors or themes, or other people of color from the US and around the world. Previous have focused on motherhood, contemporary Indigenous writers, and Latinidad and Asian diasporic authors.
The works are displayed in the main entrance of the library for one year, making it easy for visitors to peruse titles and browse through pages on a sofa tucked into a little nook.
“These displays are curated by students who are interested in both adding to our collection and highlighting unique titles already held by ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾. They are given great latitude to choose themes and craft a curatorial statement,” Humanities and Media Librarian Carmen Greenlee said. “Each curator has brought their unique insights and talents to the program, and inspired our community with their work.”
Below is a brief conversation with Mocombe about the new collection.
What is the theme of this year's collection and why did you choose it?
The Black Artist. I wanted to highlight individuals and their unique contributions which we still utilize today. I used the term artist very broadly—I included traditional artists like painters and sculptors, but also orators, educators, inventors, athletes, and activists.
How many people are featured?
Too many to count. The collection has 101 books. You can find the display right when you walk into the library, and you can also look at the collection .
What inspired you to work on this project?
It was coffee table books! This time last year I bought loads of coffee table books for my College House [Reed House]. Erin Valentino [associate librarian for research, instruction and outreach] called me up and said, 'Why are you ordering so many books?' I said, 'For decoration,' and we started to talk about coffee table books as an art form, and a form of leisure. From there, she asked me if I wanted to work on this exhibition.
Are they all coffee table books?
No, coffee table books are too big for the shelves! I acquired smaller volumes that fit more neatly, but I have a set of coffee table books resting on the table as a centerpiece.
What's the ratio?
Probably seventy/thirty, regular books to coffee table books.
Who are some of the individuals you discovered?
Where do I start! James Brown, Muhammad Ali, Nicki Minaj—well, I didn't discover her, obviously. But I got her book. Marsha P. Johnson, Katherine Johnson—the list goes on.
Nicki Minaj has a book?!
Obviously. It's called Nicki Minaj: The Woman Who Stole the World.
How did she steal the world?
You need to learn! Now I'm going to order more Nicki books.
How many new books are in the collection?
I would say sixty percent are books from the library, and forty percent are new.
Can people recommend people or books to you?
Yes, it is a living collection, so we can always add to it.
What are two books you would recommend to a friend to read? Besides the Nicki Minaj one!
Haitians and African Americans. As a Haitian person, it is a very monumental book for me. Personally, it is also very sentimental since it was written by my grandfather, Dr. Léon Dénius Pamphile. Race Matters by Cornel West also stands out to me since he confronts ideas that we are still skittish about today.
What do you hope people gain from the collection and the display?
I want people to flip through these books at their leisure in this really intimate nook in H-L. I want it to be a relaxing experience.
What did you gain from the project?
I learned that curation is not easy! It takes time, lots of people, lots of patience, and lots of love. Thankfully I have all of those things.
See below for a few more titles in “The Black Artist.”
