The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance was growth of African-American literature and art in the 1920s, mainly in the Harlem district of New York City. Southern black musicians brought jazz with them to the North and to Harlem. The area soon became a sophisticated literary and artistic center. Responding to the intellectual atmosphere of the time and place, writers and artists, began to produce a wide variety of fine and highly original works dealing with African-American life. Through intellect and production of literature, art, and music racism and stereotypes could be challenged.
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the "new" literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance.
A Dream Deferred is a poem by Langston Hughes featured below.
A Dream Deferred is a poem by Langston Hughes featured below.
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and band leader. Ellington's music was very influential on other musicians during this time and he was the music of Harlem during the 1920s. He was simply the best at what he did.
W.E.B. Du Bois
Du Bois, was an American Civil Rights activist who co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. He was the editor of the association's magazine "The Crisis" and used it to promote art and works of the Harlem Renaissance. Du Bois frequently promoted African-American artistic creativity in his writings, and when the Harlem Renaissance emerged in the mid-1920s.