By Brandon Henry
AFRO Intern
Many gathered at the Central Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore to see the debut of the DeWayne Wickham Room of Maryland Journalism on Nov. 12. The room features the DeWayne Wickham Collection, which highlights the work of the famed journalist over his decades in the media business.
During the event, a panel discussion was held with Wickham, featuring Dr. Carla Hayden, who served as the 14th Librarian of Congress. The discussion was moderated by Errin Haines, journalist and president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
During the event, a screening was held for Wickham’s documentary, “America’s Apartheid: Banning Black Books, Silencing Black Voices,” which spotlights the importance of the work of Black authors.
During the event, Hayden spoke to why the authors and their books must be protected and preserved.
“Illicit holders of power have always known an illiterate crowd is the easiest to rule,” said Dr. Hayden. “If you cannot prevent a people from learning how to read, the next recourse is to limit its scope.”
Wickham, author of three books and one of the original 44 founders of the NABJ, has been visiting Enoch Pratt Free Libraries since he was a child.
What started off as Wickham just taking his sister to the Pennsylvania and North library to get out of the house, opened up a world where the impossible can be made possible.
“Having books read to me piqued my curiosity,” said Wickham. “And it was my curiosity that drove me to reach out on my own…that opened [a] world that has taken me to this place.”
Wickham called the entire process of having a collection at Enoch Pratt Free Library “surreal” and an “out of body experience.”
“I’m still pinching myself,” said Wickham, speaking on the honor. “Those who were with me, would tell you, I was speechless.”
The collection includes various books that Wickham read, columns that he wrote for various newspapers, a U.S.A. Today newsbox to highlight his time at the publication, as well as various pictures of him with people and awards that he received throughout his career.
To view the collection, visit the Central Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, located at 400 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201.