The Consulate General of Switzerland in New York is pleased to have partnered with Lincoln University in Pennsylvania for a day of discussions, presentations, and an exhibition dedicated to the work and legacy of Vincent O. Carter.
A Lincoln alumnus himself, Carter left the U.S. in 1953 for Bern, Switzerland, where he wrote “The Bern Book” – a travelogue, memoir, and meditation on race in midcentury Europe and America. At its core, the book reflects on his experience as a Black man in Switzerland in the 1950s and beyond. His literary contributions, alongside his posthumously published novel “Such Sweet Thunder”, have cemented his place as a significant voice in American and global literature.
On February 20, 2025, Lincoln University – America’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU) – hosted “Unveiling the Legacy: Race, Identity, and Social Justice in the Works of Vincent O. Carter.” The conference featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Jesse McCarthy (Harvard University) and contributions from Dr. June Graham (award-winning author and Carter’s biographer), Chip Fleischer (Steerforth Press), and Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison Reed (Meadville Lombard Theological School). The event also included panel discussions delving into Carter’s themes of race, identity, and social justice, as well as an exhibition titled “A Journey of the Mind”.
The exhibition showcases Carter’s manuscripts, drawings, paintings, notes, and photographs, offering attendees a rare glimpse into his creative process. The exhibition will be on view at Lincoln University’s Langston Hughes Memorial Library through August 2025 and is open to the public. Find the hours of operation here.
