The Harlem Renaissance By: Matthew Santos Brianna Robinson & Jeniah Smith

The Harlem Renaissance All Stars The Harlem Renaissance was a period in the 19020’s when African-American achievements in art and music and literature flourished. Gwendolyn Bennett - Was a writer and artist, she played an active role in the African-American art community for over 20 years. Countee Cullen - Was the leading writer of the Harlem Renaissance. Langston Hughes - Was the first African-American author to support himself through his writing and poetry; he produced more than 60 Books and Poems. Zora Neale Hurston - Who has undergone revival in the last 25 years, celebrated the courage and the struggle of African-Americans in the rural south in the early years of the past century

Countee Cullen Countee Cullen Was Born by the name of Countee LeRoy Porter on May 20, 1903 and was abandoned by his parents at birth. He was raised by his grandmother, Mrs. Porter. Countee did not know where he was born. Skeptics claimed he was born in Baltimore, but later in his life Cullen said he was born in New York City. While he was an undergraduate, he published works in various literary magazines, including Harper’s Century Magazine. Countee Died unexpectedly on January 9, 1946 of poisoning. COLOR was his most famous novel which he released in 1925 The Novel’s message was that He needed help so he turned to god and he made it through life even though there were many obstacles thrown at him and put in his way.

Langston Hughes Dream Deferred Langston Hughes began writing in high school, and even at his early age was developing the voice that made him famous. He was born in Joplin, Missouri, but lived with his grandmother in Lawrence, Kansas until he was thirteen and then with his mother in Lincoln, Illinois and Cleveland, Ohio where he went to high school. When Langston’s grandmother died, his mother summoned him to her home in Lincoln, Illinois. Here, according to Hughes, He wrote his first verse and was named class poet of his 8th grade class. After he graduated high school, Hughes planned to Go to Mexico to visit with his father, in order to try to convince him that he should pay for his son’s college education at Columbia University in New York City. At Columbia, Hughes thought he could get a college education but also begin his career as a writer. Dream Deferred What Happens To A Dream Deferred? Does It Dry Up Like A Raisin In The Sun? Or fester Like A Sore And Then Run? Does It Stink Like Rotten Meat Or crust and Sugar Over- Like A Syrupy Sweet? Maybe It Just Sags Like A Heavy Load Or Does It Explode? This poem means that a dream has been ignored or not followed and it leads to depression or emptiness.

Aaron Douglas Aaron Douglas was born in Topeka, Kansas on May 26, 1899. He developed an interest for art during his childhood and was encouraged to pursuit by his mother. He graduated high school in 1917. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Nebraska in 1922. In 1939 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he founded the Art Department at Fisk University and taught for 27 years. Aaron Douglas has been called the father of African- American art. One of his most famous paintings was “Idylls Of The Deep South” made in 1934. The painting subverts the m for the myth of the “happy southern plantation negro”. The theme is cheerful African-Americans singing, dancing and playing music.

The Two Most Influential People Langston Hughes - I feel Langston Hughes was one of the most influential people in the Harlem Renaissance because he helped with establishing African- American pride with his literature. Countee Cullen - I that Countee Cullen was one of the most influential people in the Harlem Renaissance because he went through many struggles in life but he continued to stay in school and follow his passion and ended up being a very productive writer.

Langston Hughes Matthew Santos Presented “A Dream Deferred.”

Countee Cullen Brianna Robinson Summarized his book’s major themes and message.

Aaron Douglas Jeniah Smith Presented a famous painting and discussed the paintings message and connection to African American rights.