Black History Month lecture features Obama Presidential Center curator

Emily Grinstead, Contributing Writer

VCU Libraries hosted their annual Black History Month Lecture on Feb. 4 at James Branch Cabell Library featuring Crystal Moten, who holds a doctorate in history and African American studies. She currently works as the curator of collections and exhibitions at the Obama Presidential Center.

The Black History Month lecture series is one of two lectures hosted by VCU Libraries annually and has been a tradition since 2003. The series has drawn speakers such as Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed and National Book Award winner Ibram X. Kendi, according to the library’s website.

Janet Reid, a business librarian at James Branch Cabell Library and serves as the chair of the library’s event programming committee, said the BHM lectures encompass the university’s mission of “diversity and inclusion” through an “open exchange of ideas.”

“The BHM lectures are an opportunity to introduce, showcase and celebrate the rich contributions of African Americans to the history and culture of the United States of America,” Reid stated in an email.

The Black History Month lecture speaker is chosen through a recommendation by the event programming committee, according to Reid. The final decision is left to the Dean of Libraries.

“Dr. Moten’s presentation gave VCU and the Richmond Community an overview of the Obama Presidential Center’s mission, museum and programs, with an emphasis on how making change at home is the most meaningful way to participate in democracy and impact the world,” Reid said.

Moten had a career as an educator before pivoting to museum curation at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. She began work with the Obama Presidential Center in 2022 as the center’s curator.

Moten said the history of the Civil Rights Movement is important in recognizing a long tradition, which is reflected in the messaging at the center.

“We’re calling upon a tradition of organizing and activism,” Moten said. “A tradition that understands the importance of local people to change their own lives. A tradition that is strategic, that understands when more help is needed and who and how to call in that help. And a tradition that understands is not going to happen overnight.”

Moten referenced former President Barack Obama’s speech given at the anniversary of the Selma voting rights march, in which he stated “I stand on the shoulders of giants.” Moten said these words are a guiding light for the museum in retelling Black history and the legacy of the Obama presidency.

“His words move me as a burgeoning historian because I too understood that I stood on the shoulders of giants, and so those words resonated with me,” Moten said.

Moten said the history of the Selma marches and the work of civil rights activists plays an important role in the messaging at the center; the words “On whose shoulders we stand” speaks to this history.

“Selma, for us at the Obama Presidential Center, holds so many important lessons,” Moten said. “And that’s why it is emblazoned on our museum building.”

Moten said Richmond is relevant to the history of the Civil Rights Movement and the importance of recognizing local grassroots movements. She said Maggie L. Walker’s role in the Civil Rights and suffrage movements is connected to much of what the Center is doing.

“I see her work as extremely important, especially when we think about the importance of local movements, of organizing, of thinking about the specific context, of the time it takes to change,” Moten said.

The Obama Presidential Center, billed as “a center for global change,” will feature a branch of the Chicago Public Library, as well as gardens and a museum, according to the center’s official website.

Valerie Parker is a Richmond local who attended the lecture. She said she was impressed by the plans for the center, which Moten shared, and said she would “most definitely” be interested in visiting the center once it opens.

“I think it’s an extraordinary build, I’m just in awe of the whole layout,” Parker said.

Julien Piccone, a first-year English student at VCU, attended the lecture as an extra-credit assignment for class. He said he was interested in the concept of the center and would be interested in visiting.

“I think it’s cool they’re making something fun out of the presidency, and I think it’s kind of unique,” Piccone said.

The plans for the center are being overseen by the Obama Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2014 by friends and partners of former President Barack Obama, according to Politico.

The center is set to open in 2026, according to the Chicago Tribune.