BLACK HERITAGE LIBRARY & MULTICULTURAL CENTER

VISION STATEMENT

The vision of the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center is to promote hope, harmony and unity among people of different races, ethnic backgrounds
and cultural heritage.

WATCH THE BLACK HERITAGE LIBRARY ON WBGU-TV

In July of 2023, WBGU,
Bowling Green's PBS TV station, featured the BHLMC on
"Scenic Stops & Stories."
Check out the video, see what the
Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center is all about,
and be inspired!

ABOUT US

Founded in 1982, the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center (BHLMC) is a treasure chest of cultural memorabilia, art items, and antiques. Winning numerous awards, today’s Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center is a vibrant multicultural lending library and teaching museum with art items and artifacts from over 50 countries. We offer specialized cultural programs and events, speaking engagements and private tours. The BHLMC is a leading pioneer in multicultural education in Northwest Ohio and a one-of-a-kind multicultural, multidimensional resource center in the United States.

PRIMARY EXHIBITS

The Center serves to culturally enrich and improve lives in Ohio’s communities. This is accomplished through the library’s programs and outreach services to schools and colleges, various organizations, faith-based entities, businesses and the public at large.

In 1997 the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center unveiled the Smithsonian’s internationally acclaimed exhibit of the esteemed and highly accomplished Red Tails - the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. You’ve seen the Lucasfilm “Red Tails” movie...now come visit the Center to see the actual photographs and chronological journey of those highly skilled courageous fighter pilots. The Center is the only library or museum in the world awarded the Smithsonian's "Black Wings" Exhibit which features African American aviators from WWII to the Space Shuttle program!

AWARDS

The Center showcases the works of area and widely known artists, changing exhibits, historical memorabilia and global art items and artifacts. The Center and its founder are the recipients of over 15 awards including the prestigious "Governor's Award" for Outstanding Arts Outreach.

Other awards/recognitions include:

* Jaycees Distinguished Service Award
* Ohio tourism publications
* Gleaner’s Citizen of the Year Award
* Area TV Stations and Newspaper
* On Behalf of Youth Award, Camp Fire USA
* Recognized on BET and Time Warner Cable
* Red Apple Awards from Findlay City Schools
* Rotary & Lion’s Club Distinguished Service Award
* Woman of the Year Award from the Findlay Beta Sigma Phi Council
* The Dr. Martin Luther King Peacemaker Award from the King Committee in Tiffin
* Outstanding Arts Organization Award from the Arts Partnership
* The Chamber’s Distinguished Service Award through Hancock Leadership
* Features in various business publications and newsletters
* Featured in Findlay Mall’s Promotional Ads Campaign
* GSW Manufacturing’s exclusive recipient in 2002 to receive full sponsorship for a 2-week visit to and cultural enrichment of Japan

Our Board

John F. Kostyo, Chair
Profession: Attorney
Member since January 2008

Harrison Phillips, Vice Chair
Profession: Retired Military
Member since January 2016

John Simmons, Treasurer
Profession: Internal Audit (Marathon)
Member since December 2013

Jerome Gray, Interim Executive Director
Profession: Accounting – Retired
Member since December 2007

Robert Schuck
Profession: Attorney
Member since 2014

Nicole Smith, Secretary
Profession: Case Manager at Hope House
Member since October 2022

Location &
Phone

Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center
817 Harmon Street
Findlay, OH 45840

Phone
(419) 423-4954

Support has been provided by Ohio Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the federal CARES Act of 2020.