The Great Migration 1910 – 1970 – The period of the Great Migration Movement of over 6 million African-Americans from the South to the North Movement increased with the need for unskilled workers in the North during World War I African-Americans moved into cities like New York City, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia

Harlem Attracts Artists Middle class African-Americans moved into New York City 1920s, Harlem became an African-American neighborhood World’s largest black urban community Described as the capital of “black America”

“Black is Beautiful” Harlem Renaissance represents black pride and culture Explosion of the African-American experience through art, music, writing, and dance from the 1910s – 1930s

Alain Locke First African-American to win a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship (Full ride to Oxford) Completed a doctorate of philosophy and taught at Howard University Named the “Father of the Harlem Renaissance”

Voices for Black America W.E.B Dubois – founder of the NAACP in 1909 Published magazine – The Crisis Wanted Harlem Renaissance to promote racial equality and African-American intellect NAACP sponsored/promoted Harlem artists

Marcus Garvey Founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) located in Harlem in 1916 Wanted African Americans to leave America and return to Africa Believed in racial pride and black autonomy Movement declined in mid-1920s

Harlem Hellfighters The 369th Regiment (Hellfighters) served longer than any other regiment in WWI (191 days) Marched through the streets of Harlem, 1919 Great pride of the African-American community

Claude McKay Born in Jamaica Moved to the United States in 1912 1934 moved to Harlem after traveling to Russia and France Died in 1948 More radical writer of the Harlem Renaissance IF WE MUST DIE

Claude McKay – novelist, poet America Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth! Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate. Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state, I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

Langston Hughes Wrote poetry, novels, short stories, plays Another radical writer of the Renaissance

Langston Hughes – poet I, Too, Sing America   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," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I, too, am America. Poem read by Denzel Washington

Zora Neale Hurston Famous work was, Their Eyes Were Watching God Female writer of novels, short stories, essays, magazine articles Died in 1959 from a stroke and was buried in a segregated, unmarked grave in Florida

“How it Feels to be Colored Me” Published in 1928, this essay written by Zora is considered to be one of the most introspective pieces of writing to come out of the Harlem renaissance period. It examines Zora’s pride as a woman, African-American, and highlights her bewilderment over the concept of racism. It further distinguished Zora from her Harlem Renaissance artist contemporaries by displaying a non- militant almost flippant attitude towards the racism of the day.

Music of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance

Cotton Club

Apollo Theater

Jazz and blues

Louis Armstrong – “Satchmo” Famous trumpet player and singer Born in New Orleans and travel to Chicago to New York Popularized jazz music for both black and white audiences Jazz became the most popular dance music of the 1920s Louis Armstrong - Hello Dolly

Duke Ellington – jazz pianist and composer 10-piece orchestra band Played at the famous Cotton Club The Duke Became one of the most influential composers of the 1920s and 1930s

Bessie Smith Female blues singer from St. Louis 1927 highest paid black singer in the world - $2,000 a week “Empress of Blues” Died from a car accident in 1937 after being refused medical treatment at a white hospital Bessie sings the blues

Artwork of the Harlem Renaissance

Jacob Lawerance: Art work focused on life in Harlem

Jacob Lawrence's : Great Migration Series

William Johnson

“the number of black prisoners increased from 9 percent to 57 percent of the total prison population, while the number of white prisoners declined by 50 percent during that time” Source: The Great Migration: African Americans Searching for the Promised Land, 1916-1930 Carole Marks, University of Delaware