THE FUTURE OF BLACK LIBRARIANSHIP

iBlackCaucus

A virtual, program-independent student organization for Black/African American LIS graduate students

Funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Award

Get support

BCALA sponsors a virtual, national organization for Black/African American LIS grad students. 

Get Connected

Know an MLIS student or are you interested in a career in library and info science? Current LIS grad students are welcome to COMPLETE THIS FORM to become involved in iBlackCaucus.

Get Started

JOIN BCALA for our open dialogues, student-only discussions, and study hours. Check out our schedule.

meet our 2025-2026 IBC FELLOW Leigh Walters

Leigh is currently pursuing an MLIS at the University of Maryland and has a strong background in historical research, education, and congressional relations. She holds a Master’s in African American Studies from Morgan State University and a Bachelor’s in History from Mercyhurst University. Leigh currently works as a Congressional Relations Specialist for Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. In this role, she supports Congress and their staff with research inquiries while also organizing and hosting outreach webinars for congressional staffers. She has extensive experience working and volunteering in museums, including the U.S. Capitol and the President Woodrow Wilson House Museum, where she developed educational programming and led tours. Leigh draws from her extensive experience in historical research to enhance public understanding of history and government information policies.

Stay Connected with BCALA & iBlackCaucus!

Follow us on our social media channels

X: @bc_ala | IG: @bc_ala |FB: @blackcaucusala

ask your mlis program to invest in you by supporting ibc

$100 contributes toward the iBlackCaucus fellowship stipend

$500 supports our Level Up Mentorship program 

$1000 strengthens in our Annual Scholarship fund

Changing a life is just a click away—choose your impact above.

SPRING 2026 HAPPENINGS

 

JANUARY 22, 2026 // STUDENT MEETUP
NEW DEAL CAFE 5:45PM EST
113 CENTERWAY, GREENBELT, MD

 

FEB 15, 2026  // FILM SCREENING 
“ARE YOU A LIBRARIAN?” 5pm EST/2pm PST
FEATURING RODNEY FREEMAN
Learn about the dynamic
history of Black librarianship 

Contact iBlackCaucus

P.O. Box 174, New York, NY 10159-0174
Phone: 917-856-8923

CELEBRATING 55 YEARS OF

Black Library Excellence
Established in 1970, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) was formed to serve as an advocate for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community; and to provide leadership for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians.