Exploring Heritage: Faith Welch on the Impact of African American Programs

Daniel Rivas ‘25

In an absorbing interview with Faith Welch, a junior taking 5 AP courses and holding leadership positions in multiple clubs, we discussed the significance of African American programs in the 21st century.  Even more so,  Faith shared how she finds ways to remain involved and informed of her heritage through programs.

Having participated in numerous programs focused on African American culture, we asked Faith which had the most significant impact on her lifestyle. She enthusiastically responded, “The program is called Schomburg’s program. Schomburg is the center for Black research in the country, not just in the state of New York. It's the Mecca for Black people.”

Faith explained the competitive entry process, stating, “To get in, you have to apply online. There are 6,000 applicants a year, and Schomburg takes a little less than 100 kids. Firstly, you have to write a few essays about your experience as an African American, your experiences with African American people, and what inspires you about African American culture and history.”

After successfully making it to the second round, which involved an in-person interview, Faith shared a personal touch: “I had to bring an item that was important to me, and I brought a book about the Black experience in Suffolk County. I got an email a few weeks after the interview saying I got in! Now, I go to Harlem every Saturday.”

During her time at Schomburg, Faith has gained a wealth of knowledge. “I've learned a lot of different things. Each week, we learn about historically Black fraternities and territories, such as the *Sarahaca tribes and the **Maroons. Even last week, we went into the archives and read Martin Luther King Jr.’s and Malcolm X's personal journals that aren't published. This is an example of how great the program is since no one is allowed to see them in their states, photograph them, or publish them outside of the museum.”

*Maroons: African descendants who escaped slavery and established their communities within the American and Indian oceans.

*Sarahaca tribes: Multiple African tribes living within the Saratoga Springs, which is considered a sacred land.

Faith also highlighted the recognition students receive through the program. “Yes, awards are given at the end of the year, and one of the awards is the Chadwick Boseman Award. He was a teacher at Schomburg for eight years, and it's about applying what you learn to your everyday life or something else you're doing.”

Despite the challenges of being one of the few mixed-race students attending Schomburg, Faith reflected on her experience: “Most of the kids attending Schomburg live in the city, and they’re entirely Black. Me? I'm mixed and come from Long Island, which is a place that is kind of isolated. So the first two weeks were a little rough trying to find my people and make friends, but the last two weeks have been great, and I’ve found some really good friends. Overall, it's been good.”

Regarding the commute from Greenport, Faith noted, “The commute is pretty exhausting and demanding every Saturday, but it's worth it.”

For students interested in learning more about African American history, Faith encourages involvement in programs like Schomburg: “If you want to learn more about Black culture, programs like Schomburg are really amazing, and you get a lot of opportunities. Like, I know kids who go into that program, and now they're in 12th grade taking classes at Juilliard, performing at the Met, or have won Grammys. So, I think that if you’re striving for Black excellence, then yes, pursue it!”

As Faith discussed her experiences, her passion and commitment to African American culture were evident. She exemplified that there is no shame in learning about our roots and understanding what our heritage means in today’s world.