Center for Black Literature & Culture

Center for Black Literature & Culture

Central Library

Also in this section

Cblc Logo

The Indianapolis Public Library's Center for Black Literature & Culture (CBLC) is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and resilient heritage and triumphs of those born of African roots. This space is for ALL who are interested in exploring the rich heritage that has influenced nations across the globe.

Meet the Artists Logo

Don't miss the opportunity to view the works of prominent local African American artists during one of Indianapolis' premier cultural events, Meet the Artists XXXII.

Works representing a variety of artistic mediums are on exhibit for public viewing throughout Central Library during regular Library hours from January 29 - March 29.


{ "keyboardZoom": false, "autoLoad": true, "showControls": false, "mouseZoom": false, "default": { "firstScene": "start" }, "scenes": { "start": { "id": "start", "label": "Start", "hfov": 100, "panorama": "/uploads/panoramas/cblc-006.jpg", "hotSpots": [ { "id": "jk2r3f3p", "sceneLocation": "start", "pitch": 19.321401266738192, "yaw": 152.52202059508087, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Center for Black Literature & Culture", "entry": { "title": "Center for Black Literature & Culture", "id": "908", "slug": "center-for-black-literature-culture", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot", "div": {} }, { "id": "jk30plyx", "sceneLocation": "start", "pitch": -2.6269054580419384, "yaw": 157.97438839277208, "type": "scene", "sceneId": "rightWing", "text": "Right Wing", "cssClass": "Tour__arrow Tour__arrow--right", "div": {} }, { "id": "jk30otuy", "sceneLocation": "start", "pitch": -2.7196492102550485, "yaw": 147.69092923188677, "type": "scene", "sceneId": "leftWing", "text": "Left Wing", "cssClass": "Tour__arrow Tour__arrow--left", "div": {} } ], "pitch": 0.8063770932631082, "yaw": 152.93207549325774 }, "leftWing": { "id": "leftWing", "label": "Left Wing", "panorama": "/uploads/panoramas/cblc-002.jpg", "sceneId": "start", "hotSpots": [ { "id": "jk323yda", "sceneLocation": "leftWing", "pitch": -0.0028421463415253534, "yaw": -27.81780016706841, "type": "scene", "sceneId": "rightWing", "text": "Right Wing", "cssClass": "Tour__arrow Tour__arrow--up", "div": {} }, { "id": "jl8fmrf8", "sceneLocation": "leftWing", "pitch": -2.176203540342949, "yaw": 3.4264739804181286, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Wall Plaques", "entry": { "title": "Wall Plaques", "id": "1566", "slug": "wall-plaques", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot", "div": {} }, { "id": "jk323i98", "sceneLocation": "leftWing", "pitch": -2.6197003957389193, "yaw": -0.7325566345421208, "type": "scene", "sceneId": "start", "text": "Entrance", "cssClass": "Tour__arrow Tour__arrow--right", "div": {} }, { "id": "jl8fmizr", "sceneLocation": "leftWing", "pitch": -3.6074668147172617, "yaw": 120.14034452274429, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Amos Brown Award Case", "entry": { "title": "Amos Brown Award Case", "id": "1565", "slug": "amos-brown-award-case", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot", "div": {} }, { "id": "jle58sj2", "sceneLocation": "leftWing", "pitch": -1.1355745826840788, "yaw": -53.27120158675409, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Mari Evans Award Case", "entry": { "title": "Mari Evans Award Case", "id": "1593", "slug": "mari-evans-award-case", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot", "div": {} } ], "pitch": -0.8596186688976264, "yaw": 149.6146275667447 }, "rightWing": { "id": "rightWing", "label": "Right Wing", "panorama": "/uploads/panoramas/cblc-004.jpg", "sceneId": "leftWing", "hotSpots": [ { "id": "jk2r661q", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": 23.111658340255406, "yaw": -144.5342311695735, "type": "hotspot", "text": "The Avenue", "entry": { "title": "The Avenue", "id": "909", "slug": "the-avenue", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot" }, { "id": "jk30rttx", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": 22.20684217490605, "yaw": 18.57676762260277, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Window Panels", "entry": { "title": "Window Panels", "id": "915", "slug": "window-panels", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot" }, { "id": "jl8fl0fp", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": 3.671782303704745, "yaw": -117.64905775724492, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Music Collection", "entry": { "title": "Music Collection", "id": "1563", "slug": "music-collection", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot" }, { "id": "jk324m9f", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": 0.0000501488166891606, "yaw": -27.85085474778472, "type": "scene", "sceneId": "leftWing", "text": "Left Wing", "cssClass": "Tour__arrow Tour__arrow--up" }, { "id": "jk324a2o", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": -0.10465710136701487, "yaw": -47.57181105730581, "type": "scene", "sceneId": "start", "text": "Entrance", "cssClass": "Tour__arrow Tour__arrow--left" }, { "id": "jk30sbmo", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": -0.4855284151036907, "yaw": 81.04507439052189, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Emancipation/Freedom Collection", "entry": { "title": "Emancipation/Freedom Collection", "id": "916", "slug": "emancipation-freedom-collection", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot" }, { "id": "jk30qqvy", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": -1.4377297814327108, "yaw": 168.22658333678567, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Art Collection", "entry": { "title": "Art Collection", "id": "913", "slug": "art-collection", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot" }, { "id": "jk30rfua", "sceneLocation": "rightWing", "pitch": -3.9594211459800093, "yaw": -34.16819108306022, "type": "hotspot", "text": "Epicenter", "entry": { "title": "Epicenter", "id": "914", "slug": "epicenter", "section": "hotspots" }, "cssClass": "Tour__hotspot" } ], "pitch": 1.3762350548490876, "yaw": 149.76651124989522 } } }

Amenities & Services

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Special collection
  • Tours by request

Upcoming Events at the CBLC

The Madam Walker Story

The Madam Walker Story

Central Library

Learn the story of Madam C. J. Walker (1867 –1919), a philanthropist, entrepreneur and hair care industry pioneer as told from a different point of view. Learn about her early life and the rich legacy she created for women, African Americans and Indianapolis.

The Black Women's Writing Society

The Black Women's Writing Society

Central Library

Join members of the Black Women's Writing Society who share a love for the written word. Poets, playwrights, essayists and storytellers are invited to gather in the Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library. Sessions include time for writing, education and sharing.

Meet the Artists XXXII 4th Friday Celebration!

Meet the Artists XXXII 4th Friday Celebration!

Central Library

As part of the Library's "Meet the Artists XXXII" exhibit that continues through March 29 at Central Library and features works by prominent local African American artists, all ages are invited for tours of the exhibit, painting demonstrations, programs presented by participating artists, and more.

View More Events
Lilly Endowment Logo Whitebg Navy

The creation of the Center for Black Literature & Culture is made possible thanks to a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

Want to learn more about the Center for Black Literature & Culture?

Contact us. We'd love to show you around!

Contact Us
Want to learn more about the Center for Black Literature & Culture?