Between the years of 1916 and 1970 six million courageous Black Americans uprooted their lives and migrated to the industrial cities in the west and north for the promise of non-agricultural work, higher wages, educational opportunities, and an escape from racial violence. This movement and journey is known as one of the largest migrations in the history of the United States. It led to a renaissance of black culture and a legacy that still impacts America today.
After the Civil War, many black Americans found their freedom bitter as slavery was replaced with racial segregation through Jim Crow laws. In the South, former slaves became sharecroppers: They were given small plots of land to work and shared the profit with the owner of the land. Unfortunately, sharecropping[^1] offered little in the way of economic opportunity, especially after crop damage which came from a regional boll weevil infestation in the 1890s and the early 1900s. There was also bitterness about the loss of the war which led to violence against blacks living in the South. Seeking a better and safer life, many blacks left the South and moved north in what is now called The Great Migration. When World War I broke out in Europe in 1914, war preparations kicked into high gear, and industrialized urban areas in the North, Midwest and West faced a shortage of laborers. They sent recruiters to entice Black Americans to move north, and advertised heavily in the newspapers. Their efforts paid off as Black Americans moved to the cities in droves.
Although they came looking for a better life, it wasn’t perfect. Yet, despite these problems the black community flourished. There was an explosion of music, art, literature, fashion, and culture which became known as the Harlem Renaissance. It is from this influx of talent that outstanding people like Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker, Duke Ellington, Paul Robeson, and Ida B Wells rose to prominence and inspired people like Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill, Common, Erykah Badu, and Alice Walker. These modern artists often draw on themes of Black identity, social justice, and cultural pride that were central to the Harlem Renaissance movement.
Inspiring Writers
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1901 and died on May 22, 1967. He was a poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist. Hughes was deeply involved during the Harlem Renaissance. He focused his work on the everyday lives of Black Americans, capturing their joys, aspirations, and struggles. “The weary Blues”(1926) was his first poetry collection and brought him national recognition. He’s known for his innovative use of jazz rhythms and dialect in his poetry, which helped to create a unique voice that touched hearts with many. Hughes used his writing to celebrate African American culture and challenge racial stereotypes. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers and I, Too” became an iconic piece to blend social commentary with artistic expression.
Zora Neale Hurston born on January 7, 1891 in Nostalgia, Alabama and died January 28, 1960. Her background with anthropology profoundly influenced her writing, since she incorporated elements of African American folklore and culture into her novels. Her most famous novel is “Their Eyes Were Watching God”(1937), is honored for its description of African American womanhood and its elegant use of local language and folklore. She also wrote various other things such as short stories, plays, and essays. She mastermind boundless ethnographic research in the Caribbean and the American South. During the Harlem Renaissance Zora was a central figure, known for her energetic personality and her commitment to publicize Black culture. Her work upraise African American literature and culture to new heights.
Inspiring Musicians
Louis Armstrong born on August 4, 1901 and died July 6, 1971. He was a prominent jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and bandleader. He was given nicknames such as “Satchmo” and “Pops”. He had a profound and enduring influence on jazz and popular music. During the Harlem Renaissance he was a prominent figure in the jazz scene. He helped boost jazz and brought it to a wider audience. His performances and recordings influenced many artists during this time. Louis had an ability to blend technical skill with emotional depth in his music and set a new standard for jazz musicians. He broke racial barriers, becoming one of the first African American to achieve widespread fame and success.
Ella Fitzgerald born on April 25, 1917 and died on June 15, 1996. She is an iconic American jazz singer known as the “Queen of Jazz” and the “First Lady of Song”. Although her fame rose slightly after the peak of the Harlem Renaissance, she was still significant during it. She performed at venues like the Savoy Ballroom and the Apollo Theater, she became a symbol of the artistic and cultural flourishing of African American during this time. Her success helped racial barriers in the music industry and paved the way for future generations of African American artists.
Inspiring Artists
Aaron Douglas born on May 26, 1896 and died on Feb 2, 1976. He was an influential African American painter and graphic artist. His art is characterized by its use of synthetic cubist forms, stylized and geometric shapes drawn from African art, and the rhythm of circles, diagonals, and wavy lines. His work was often an aspiration of the “New Black” and realities of the Black struggle for political and creative freedom. He is best known for his significant contributions to the Harlem Renaissance. Aaron’s impact on the Harlem Renaissance was life-changing. He transfigured African American art by combining elements of modern art and African Culture to celebrate the African American experience and call awareness to segregation and racism.
Jacob Lawrence was born on September 7, 1917 and died June 9, 2000. Jacob was a renowned African American painter. He is best known for his vivid and dynamic portrayals of African American life and history. His most famous work, “The Migration Series”, Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North. This piece of work brought him national recognition at the age of 23. Jacob became a key figure during the Harlem Renaissance for contributing to the cultural and artistic explosion. His art expressed the essence of social justice and historical narratives. He was able to help elevate African American art and bring it to a wider audience.
Inspiring Change
Paul Robeson born on April 9, 1898 in Princeton, NJ and died January 23, 1976 in Philadelphia, PA. He is known for his multifaceted talents and his steadfastness to social justice. Paul gained his fame as an actor, singer, and activist. His commanding stage presence made him the star in productions like ShowBoat and The Emperor Jones. He had a significant impact on the Harlem Renaissance. He was an outstanding figure in the cultural movement, which memorialized African American artistic and intellectual achievements in the 1920s and 1930s. His success in music and theater helped collapse racial barriers and paved the way for following African American artists. Furthermore, his activism and direct stance on civil rights issues inspired others during this time.
Ida B. Wells was born on July 16, 1862 and died March 25, 1931. Wells was a journalist, educator, and civil rights activist. She was born into slavery by the Emancipation Proclamation. She became an amazing journalist and co-owned the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight newspaper, where she wrote about racial segregation and inequality. She published several influential works, including Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All its Phases and The Red Record. She was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP) and was actively involved in the women’s suffrage and other social justice causes. Although she wasn’t directly part of the Harlem Renaissance her groundbreaking work as an journalist and activist set the stage for the civil rights movement. Which intersected with the creative and intellectual blossoming of the Harlem Renaissance.
As Black History Month moves into its 49th year, the legacy of those who left the land and came to the city to spark a renaissance of Black culture, can be seen in Lizzo, Bruno Mars, and Frida Kahlo. Morgan Freeman said, “Black history is American history; they’re completely intertwined.” He’s right, as much American music, literature, art, and culture are influenced by the talent that bloomed during the Harlem Renaissance.
