Born: January 7, 1891

Died: January 28, 1960

He was a Jamaican/American author and poet from 1890-1948. He was attracted to communism early on in his life, and spent lots of time in soviet Russia, but came to write negatively about it later in his life.

What/How did he contribute to the Harlem Renaissance? 

His poems were about how the blacks were treated during the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote 4 novels and one of his novels called Home to Harlem (1928), was a best-seller that won the Harmon Gold Award for Literature.

Why was he important?

He gave black people a voice through his writing and poetry. He was one of the first poets of the Harlem renaissance and paved the way for black poets to discuss racism in their poetry.

Poem: America

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,

And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth,

Stealing my breath of life, I will confess

I love this cultured hell that tests my youth!

Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,

Giving me strength erect against her hate.

Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.

Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state,

I stand within her walls with not a shred

Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.

Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,

And see her might and granite wonders there,

Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand,

Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

• Was an African American painter, graphic artist, and illustrator

• Born in Topeka, Kansas.

• Nickname was “Father of Black American Art”

• Attended University of Nebraska

• Created images of African-American life and struggle

• Artistic style included modernism and african art

What/How did he contribute to the Harlem Renaissance?

• Helped set in motion a new visual language detached from traditional European art training and absorbing a distinctive African heritage.

• Leading artist in the Harlem Renaissance, nicknamed the “Father of African American Arts” for his way of illustrating African and Egyptian design in his art.

• Douglas created some of his best-known painting in the 1930s

• His work made a lasting impression on future generations of black artists.

• Douglas linked black Americans with their African past and proudly showed black contributions to society decades before the dawn of the civil rights movement.

• Born on August 4th, 1901 in New Orleans, LA

• Died on July 6, 1971 in Queens, NYC

What/How did he Contribute to the Harlem Renaissance?

He came to prominence in the 1920s, influencing countless musicians with both his daring trumpet style and unique vocals. He started out playing the cornet and didn't start playing the trumpet until 1926. He was often criticized for not doing more for the African Americans, as he had a lot of power because of his career and talent.

Why was he important?

He overcame poverty to become one of the most important people in the history of music. No one before Armstrong had ever played the trumpet the way that he did. He was one of the first great soloists of jazz music. The solos he played were as interesting and innovative as any music written at the time. Rather than follow notes on a page, he improvised, playing what was in his head instead. This type of playing laid the foundation for all jazz to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM

An African American writer, philosopher and educator.

The first Black Rhodes scholar in 1907. It is one of the most prestigious and oldest international fellowship programs for graduates and prolific intellectuals in the world. 

Born: September, 13 1885

Died: January, 9 1954

What/How did he contribute to the Harlem Renaissance?

He wrote ¨The New Negro¨ This consisted of poems and essays on and by African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance.

Locke became the leading authority on modern African American culture and used his position to promote the careers of young artists. He encouraged them to seek out subjects in African American life and to set high artistic standards for themselves. 

Why was he important?

He encouraged other writers and artists. Compared to Aristotle and Socrates by Martin Luther King.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W14e1_4DKPIMrwziBFIIXBw5jQQc8uCKdGM9-Fiqu90/edit