Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance, also know as the "New Negro Movement," was during the years of 1920 - 1940.  The movement was based in New York City between 135th Street and Fifth Avenue.  The span from 1920-1940 is best known for the literature that came out of the Renaissance and there was also an enormous amount of Black artist and musicians during this time period.  One influential writer during this time period was Langston Hughes, "The Book of American Negro Poetry."  Hughes published a total of nine volumes of poetry, eight books of short stories, two novels, as well as, a variety of plays and chlildren's books.

Prior to the Harlem Renaissance, books written by African-Americans were generally read by other African-Americans only.  The Harlem Renaissance was the turning point for African-American literature; eventually Black literature and Black fine art were mainstreamed into the American culture.