Harlem Renaissance

The artist painted a portrait of his grandmother, who was born into slavery in Kentucky in 1842. The painting reflects her venerable and dignified appearance, showing the effects of time and hard work on her hands and face.

In 1877, writer Charles Chesnutt faced the erasure of his race from his publication in Atlantic Monthly at the publisher's request, highlighting the struggles black authors faced in getting their work recognized.

Augusta Savage, born in Florida in 1892, was a prominent culture, advocate, and teacher during the Harlem Renaissance, known for putting black everyday people at the forefront of her works.

The Motley family, including artist Archibald John Motley Jr.'s paternal grandmother, Emily Motley, moved from New Orleans to Chicago in 1894. This move marked a significant event in the family's history.

Aaron Douglas, born in Kansas in 1899, is known as the Father of African American Art. His paintings during the Harlem Renaissance merged the past, present, and future of African American history through color, shape, and line.

Du Bois introduced the concept of 'twoness' in his book 'The Souls of Black Folk' in 1903. It explored the divided awareness of one's identity as a critique of racial consciousness.

In 1910, a large block along 135th Street and Fifth Avenue in Harlem was bought by various African American realtors and a church group, marking the beginning of Harlem becoming an African American neighborhood.

Roland Hayes, the first African American male concert artist to gain wide recognition, trained with notable musicians and toured with the Fisk Jubilee Singers in 1911.

In 1913, Fritz Winold Reiss and his family moved from Germany to the United States. This relocation marked the beginning of Reiss's exploration of America's racial diversity through his artwork.

The Crisis's October 1914 issue was dedicated to children's issues, showcasing the close relationship between the Harlem Renaissance and civil rights and reform organizations.

Marcus Garvey, a Black nationalist leader, founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in Harlem, advocating for Black empowerment and establishing Black states worldwide.

In 1919, a series of race riots erupted in various cities across the United States, including the infamous Red Summer. The racial tensions were fueled by post-World War I social and economic changes, leading to violence and discrimination against African Americans.

Langston Hughes, along with other Black writers, had their work published in mainstream magazines like Harper’s, marking a significant breakthrough for African American writers.

Shuffle Along, the first musical revue created and performed by African Americans at Broadway's David Belasco Theater, is a significant cultural milestone that sparks the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance.

The Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill of 1922 was the first legislation against lynching to be approved by the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, it failed to become federal law.

Jessie Redmon Fauset's novel 'There Is Confusion' is published, marking the first Harlem Renaissance book by a woman writer.

The Cotton Club, a famous night club in Harlem, New York City, opens during Prohibition. It features jazz music and showcases many African American entertainers of the era.

A dinner event sponsored by Opportunity magazine, bringing together black writers and white publishers. It is considered the formal launching of the New Negro movement.

Langston Hughes's first volume of poetry, The Weary Blues, is published.

Duke Ellington and his orchestra started a successful run at the Cotton Club in Harlem, breaking racial barriers as black performers. Despite the club's controversial decor, Ellington's modern music and talented musicians gained national exposure through radio broadcasts.

In 1928, a landmark essay titled 'How It Feels to Be Colored Me' was published by a black student in New York. The essay mocked the absurdity of discrimination and expressed astonishment rather than anger towards it, questioning how anyone could deny themselves the pleasure of her company.

On April 9, 1928, poet Countee Cullen married Yolande Du Bois, daughter of the prominent black leader, in a lavish wedding that became a significant social event during the Harlem Renaissance.

In 1929, several important organizations were established during the Harlem Renaissance, including the Negro Experimental Theatre, the Negro Art Theatre, and the National Colored Players.

In 1930, Werner Drewes created the woodcut 'Harlem Beauty' after emigrating to New York City from Germany. The artwork pays tribute to African American womanhood and beauty, showcasing the cultural impact of the Harlem Renaissance.

Artist Augusta Savage establishes the Savage School of Arts and Crafts in Harlem in 1931.

Sterling Brown's work, Southern Road, was published in 1932. It is known for its depiction of life in the Southern United States, capturing the essence of the region through its prose.

A riot broke out in Harlem due to tensions between the African American community and the police, leading to violence and unrest.

Aaron Douglas created the painting 'Into Bondage' in 1936. It is an oil on canvas piece that is part of the Corcoran Collection.

Zora Neale Hurston's novel, published in 1937, was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and addressed themes of race and gender through the protagonist Janie Crawford. The novel is known for its rich language filled with metaphors and similes, reflecting Hurston's belief in the unique expression of African American culture.

A lithograph by Norman Lewis titled 'Jazz', created around 1938, depicting the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of the jazz scene during the Harlem Renaissance.

Augusta Savage was commissioned to create an exhibit for the 1939 World Fair in New York, where she showcased her renowned piece 'Lift Every Voice and Sing', becoming one of the most popular attractions at the fair.

Langston Hughes' publication of his first memoir, The Big Sea, in 1940 provided a retrospective assessment of the Harlem Renaissance, offering insights into the cultural and artistic achievements of the era.

In 1948, Dorothy West autographed a book at a book party held at Reckling Studio.

In 1957, Althea Gibson, a tennis champion from Clarendon County, South Carolina, became the first black player to win at Wimbledon. Her victory was a significant milestone in sports history, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of black athletes.

The exhibition organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1969 showcased over 300 photographs, many by Van Der Zee, focusing on the cultural achievements of African Americans in Harlem.

Linda Rae Brown's contribution in the book 'Black Music in the Harlem Renaissance' discusses the impact of William Grant Still, Florence Price, and William Dawson in the music scene during the Harlem Renaissance.

The linocut artwork titled 'Sunday Promenade' was published in 1996 by artists Hale Woodruff and Robert Blackburn. It features black with chine-collé on wove paper and is part of the Corcoran Collection.

An 8-CD set featuring various prominent figures like Avery Brooks, Maya Angelou, and others, released in 2008.

Christopher Buck's work in 'The American Mosaic' sheds light on the significance of the Harlem Renaissance in the broader context of the African American experience.

Cheryl A. Wall's book, published in 2016, provides a concise overview of the Harlem Renaissance. It serves as an introduction to the cultural movement, highlighting its significance in African American history and literature.

An upcoming exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2024, focusing on the connections between the Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism, showcasing the artistic achievements of the era.