What is the Harlem Renaissance ?

What is a Renaissance? rebirth or revivalrebirth or revival A period or movement of vigorous artistic or intellectual activityA period or movement of vigorous artistic or intellectual activity

Harlem Renaissance The cultural movement of African Americans during the 1920’sThe cultural movement of African Americans during the 1920’s Brought about an awareness of African American culture and customs.Brought about an awareness of African American culture and customs. Involved art, literature, and music.Involved art, literature, and music. Impacted large cities throughout the country.Impacted large cities throughout the country. Many white American publishers endorsed the movement giving it legitimacy.Many white American publishers endorsed the movement giving it legitimacy.

Harlem Located in New York CityLocated in New York City Between 125 th Street and 145 th Street.Between 125 th Street and 145 th Street. Originally white but as African Americans moved in the whites moved out.Originally white but as African Americans moved in the whites moved out. Center of African American culture and business during the 1920’s.Center of African American culture and business during the 1920’s.

Duke Ellington Musical composer and pianistMusical composer and pianist Orchestra leaderOrchestra leader Early great hits: Black and Tan Fantasy Black Beauty Creole Love Call It Don’t Mean a ThingEarly great hits: Black and Tan Fantasy Black Beauty Creole Love Call It Don’t Mean a Thing Played at the Cotton Club - attend by white audiences - listen to nation wide on the radioPlayed at the Cotton Club - attend by white audiences - listen to nation wide on the radio

Louis Armstrong Jazz musician (trumpet player)Jazz musician (trumpet player) Renown bandleader and singerRenown bandleader and singer Later life a movie starLater life a movie star Hits from the 1920’s included: St. Louis Blues Ain’t Misbehavin’ I Ain’t Got Nobody Dream a Little Dream For Me Everybody Loves My BabyHits from the 1920’s included: St. Louis Blues Ain’t Misbehavin’ I Ain’t Got Nobody Dream a Little Dream For Me Everybody Loves My Baby

Other notable entertainers Bessie Smith - Empress of the Blues – Blues Singer Jelly Roll Morton - jazz pianist

Cotton Club Famous Harlem nightclubFamous Harlem nightclub Featured many of the great African American and white entertainersFeatured many of the great African American and white entertainers Broadcast their shows nationwide on the radioBroadcast their shows nationwide on the radio Audiences were predominately white AmericansAudiences were predominately white Americans

The Apollo Theater A showcase Harlem TheaterA showcase Harlem Theater Opened to white Americans only until the 1930’sOpened to white Americans only until the 1930’s African American entertainersAfrican American entertainers

Marcus Garvey Dynamic public speakerDynamic public speaker Founded Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)Founded Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Urged African Americans to be proud of their race and move back to Africa.Urged African Americans to be proud of their race and move back to Africa.

W.E.B. Dubois Founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).Founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Promoted higher education for African Americans.Promoted higher education for African Americans. Published The Crisis, an outlet for African American thoughts and ideas.Published The Crisis, an outlet for African American thoughts and ideas.

The Crisis The official magazine of the NAACPThe official magazine of the NAACP Originally titled The Crisis: A Record of the Darker Race.Originally titled The Crisis: A Record of the Darker Race. Goal: Give facts and arguments showing the danger of racial prejudice specifically as it applies to African Americans.Goal: Give facts and arguments showing the danger of racial prejudice specifically as it applies to African Americans. Noted writers: Langston Hughes and Countee CullenNoted writers: Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen

William H Johnson PainterPainter Painted scenes of African American daily livesPainted scenes of African American daily lives Impacted American society (awareness)Impacted American society (awareness)

Langston Hughes Born in Missouri (1902)Born in Missouri (1902) Took the African American tradition of oral story telling and transformed it into written formTook the African American tradition of oral story telling and transformed it into written form Depicted racial prideDepicted racial pride

I, Too I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, and grow strong. Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” The. Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed – I, too, am American Langston Hughes