Harlem Renaissance

African American Organizations United Negro Improvement Association: Founded by Marcus Garvey Preached separate societies NAACP Founded by W.E.B DuBois Worked to improve lives of African Americans

Writing Combined African heritage and folklore with problems of being black around whites Claude McKay Poet who helped established Harlem Renaissance Encouraged blacks to resist prejudice Zora Neale Hurston Anthropologist & Author Portrayed the lives of poor, unschooled Southern African Americans Langston Hughes Best-known poet

Performances Shuffle Along Paul Robeson Black musical comedy Hughes believed it launched the Renaissance Songs enjoyed by whites Paul Robeson Son of runaway slave & graduate of Rutgers Commanding presence resulted in his great fame

The Jazz Age Jazz blends ragtime & the blues from New Orleans Louis Armstrong Most influential musician of the jazz age Trumpet player Bessie Smith “Empress of the Blues” Highest paid black artist in the world Duke Ellington Jazz piano player Famous composer