We are aware that Columbia College faces some difficult financial decisions, however, the loss of the Center for Black Music Research (CMBR) would be significant. The CMBR stands alone in its collections on African-American music. Archival repositories are the jewel of any college or university; they bring luster to the story of our heritage. With Columbia College’s strong music department, closing the CMBR would be a blow to the history of American music, and the reputation of the school.

This petition is supported by the Archivists and Archives of Color Roundtable of the Society of American Archivists, and the Theatre Library Association.