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“These poems have a special interest for all the races of man because they are sung by a pure blooded Negro,” Eastman begins.

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If we must die, let it not be like hogs

Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,

While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,

Making their mock at our accursèd lot.

If we must die, O let us nobly die,

So that our precious blood may not be shed

In vain; then even the monsters we defy

Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!

O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!

Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,

And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!

What though before us lies the open grave?

Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,

Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!

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Harlem Shadows by Claude McKay is a poignant poem that captures the struggles and resilience of African Americans in Harlem, reflecting on themes of racial injustice, poverty, and the fight for dignity in a world that often dehumanizes them. McKay’s powerful imagery and rhythmic language evoke the harsh realities of the time while embodying a spirit of defiance and pride.

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The Messenger from September 1919 is a powerful poem by Claude McKay that critiques racial oppression and injustice while urging Black Americans to resist, reflecting McKay’s role as a leading voice in the Harlem Renaissance and advocating for social change in the wake of the racial violence following World War I.

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Liberator from July 1919 is a stirring poem by McKay that champions the fight for Black freedom and empowerment, symbolizing his commitment to the struggle for racial equality and representing the hopes of African Americans during a time of intense racial unrest and the aftermath of the Red Summer of 1919.

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Langston Hughes, one of the most important poets of the Harlem Renaissance, captured the essence of African American identity and the struggle for equality. Represents the voice of hope and resistance in African American literature.

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The Cotton Club, a famous Harlem nightclub, was a hub for jazz musicians like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway—a symbol of Harlem’s vibrant jazz culture and African American musical innovation.

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Claude McKay was a poet and novelist whose works expressed the pain and power of the Black experience, including his famous poem "If We Must Die." Represents the fierce resilience and call to arms in African American culture.

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Zora Neale Hurston was a prominent African American writer and anthropologist who explored African American folklore in works like Their Eyes Were Watching God. Represents the richness of African American culture and the blending of storytelling and folklore.

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Aaron Douglas's art, like his Aspects of Negro Life series, visually conveyed the struggles and beauty of African American life. Represents the visual culture of the Harlem Renaissance and the power of Black art.

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Duke Ellington, one of the most influential jazz musicians of the period, epitomized the Harlem Renaissance’s cultural and musical renaissance. Represents the merging of African American culture with mainstream mus

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Louis Armstrong, a jazz icon, transformed the art of trumpet playing and was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Symbolizes African American contributions to global music and the art of jazz.

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Known as the "Empress of the Blues," Bessie Smith was a powerful force in shaping blues and jazz music. Represents the emotional depth and social commentary of African American music.

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Images of early African American protests represent the ongoing struggle for racial equality that emerged alongside the Harlem Renaissance. Demonstrates the intersection of art, culture, and the fight for civil rights during this era.

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An image of Langston Hughes’s famous poem “I, Too” symbolizing hope for racial equality and the affirmation of African American identity. Highlights the resilience and assertion of African American dignity in the face of oppression.

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W.E.B. Du Bois was a scholar, activist, and co-founder of the NAACP, advocating for Black civil rights and education. Represents intellectual leadership and advocacy for African American rights.

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Nella Larsen’s Passing explores themes of racial identity and social mobility, offering critical insight into race relations. Represents the literary exploration of race, identity, and the complexities of colorism.

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Billie Holiday’s haunting voice and songs like “Strange Fruit” made her a powerful symbol of African American music and activism. Represents the emotional intensity of Black music and the fight against racial injustice.

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Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series depicts the migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North. Symbolizes the Great Migration and the search for better opportunities, freedom, and dignity.

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Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican political leader and activist who promoted Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism. Represents the global reach of African American identity and the call for unity among people of African descent.

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Paul Robeson was a singer, actor, and activist whose performances and political activism embodied the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance. Represents the intersection of art and activism, as well as the global impact of African American culture.

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A photograph capturing the vibrancy and complexity of Harlem during the 1930s, showcasing its diversity and cultural dynamism. Symbolizes Harlem as the heart of the African American cultural movement during the Renaissance.

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Langston Hughes writing his poems, which would later define African American literary contributions during the Harlem Renaissance. Represents the literary revolution that expressed African American identity, pride, and social commentary.

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Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man represents the complexities of African American identity and the racial struggles of the time. Highlights the intellectual and literary contributions of the Harlem Renaissance’s later influence on American literature.

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The Apollo Theater in Harlem was central to the Harlem Renaissance, hosting African American musical acts and performances. Represents the cultural capital of African American performance and art

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A photograph of jazz musicians in a Harlem club, illustrating the spirit of creativity and cultural innovation. Symbolizes the fusion of African American musical traditions and the birth of jazz as a global cultural force.

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A collection of portraits of literary figures such as Langston Hughes, Charles Alston, Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Augusta Savage, and others. Highlights the literary voices that shaped African American literature and culture during the Harlem Renaissance.

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A Portrait of the Harlem Renaissances Literary Figures

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A sculpture by Augusta Savage, one of the few prominent African American women artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Represents African American artistic expression in sculpture, blending cultural pride and artistic innovation.

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Jazz album cover from the 1930s, reflecting the era's influential music and culture. Demonstrates the cultural significance of jazz in shaping the Harlem Renaissance and American music history

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A protest poster "We March with Selma" from the Harlem Renaissance advocating for civil rights and equality for African Americans. Represents the social activism that was central to the movement and its connection to the broader civil rights struggle.

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Billie Holiday performing "Strange Fruit," a poignant protest against lynching and racial violence in the South. Represents the powerful role music played in raising awareness and challenging racial injustice during the Harlem Renaissance.

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Strange Fruit Performance by Billie Holiday

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This presentation focuses on the great literary, journalistic, political, and sports figures, including Langston Hughes and Paul Robeson, and institutions that make up what historians refer to as the Harlem Renaissance.

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Archibald Motley’s "Jazz Age" captures a lively, colorful scene that portrays the exuberant energy of Harlem’s nightlife. In this work, Motley presents a scene filled with figures dancing, enjoying jazz music, and engaging in social activities, with bold colors and exaggerated forms that reflect the rhythmic, dynamic flow of the music. The scene’s upbeat and celebratory tone is a visual representation of the cultural awakening and vitality of the Harlem Renaissance. This painting reflects the intersection of African American culture, jazz music, and the broader social movements of the time. Motley’s use of vivid colors and expressive figures reflects the dynamic energy of Harlem’s jazz clubs and the broader cultural impact of jazz during the era. The piece emphasizes the importance of music in shaping the Harlem Renaissance and its representation of Black joy, pride, and identity. It also speaks to the broader societal shifts, celebrating Black cultural expression and the changing roles of African Americans in the arts.

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Archibald Motley’s "Nightlife" is one of his most iconic paintings, capturing the energy and allure of a Harlem nightclub scene. The vibrant colors and expressive figures represent the dynamic life of African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance. The painting embodies the spirit of Harlem’s nightlife, where jazz, social gathering, and a sense of freedom and identity flourished. It highlights the lively, celebratory aspect of Black culture and the role of art in capturing the essence of African American life. Motley’s work often depicted scenes that merged realism with abstraction, illustrating the complex social and cultural experiences of Black communities.