The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of African-American creativity in the 1920’s and 30’s. Many black writers published poems, novels, and dramas during this time. Along with the writers, many artists also created new paintings and sculptures. Before the Harlem Renaissance, many black Americans were not published writers, nor well known artists, but this movement paved the way for them.

Harlem is located in New York City. Many African-Americans settled there during The Great Migration.

Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington was a Jazz Composer

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was aJazz Composer

Bessie Smith was a Blues Singer.

The Empress of The Blues

Jacob Lawrence was a painter

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was aPoet who combined theexperiences of African& American culture.

DreamsHold fast to dreams

For if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged

birdThat cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

– by Langston Hughes

The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance was a time whenAfrican-American artists, writers andmusicians based in Harlem revealed thefreshness and variety of African-Americanculture. The popularity of the artists we justviewed spread to the rest of society.