[…] a thin slice of African experience extrapolate from that experience, sweeping negative generalizations about the entire continent. To speak of an African renaissance, as new leaders like South Africa’s Deputy President Thabo Mbeki does, is to speak of renewal and rebirth. It is to […] … Read More(1997) The Idea of an African Renaissance, Myth or Reality?
Arthur Mitchell, co-founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), America’s first African American ballet company, was born in New York City, New York on March 27, 1934. Under Mitchell’s direction, Dance Theatre of Harlem rose to become one of the premier … Read More … Read MoreArthur Mitchell (1934-2018)
[…] periods of incarceration he read incessantly and developed an affinity for writing poetry. Some of his poems were published during the Harlem Renaissance. Despite his talent, his constant clashes with other inmates and guards resulted in spending more than three years of a ten […] … Read MoreEllsworth “Bumpy” Johnson (1906-1968)
Meadow “Meadowlark” Lemon III was most famous as the longtime star player of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lemon was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on April 25, 1932. He adopted the name “Meadowlark” while he was with the Harlem Globetrotters. Lemon attended Williston Industrial School in … Read More … Read MoreMeadow “Meadowlark” Lemon III (1932-2015)
Fred “Curly” Neal was a basketball legend for the world famous Harlem Globetrotters and became a global icon while representing the sport around the world. During his 22-year career with the Harlem Globetrotters, Neal played more than 6,000 basketball games in 97 countries. He adopted … Read More … Read MoreFred “Curly” Neal (1942-2020)
[…] and dancer specializing in Russian and other ethnic dances. She was also an actress and businesswoman who gained popularity during the Harlem Renaissance and left her mark as one of the most influential African American dancers and choreographers of that time. Ollie Burgoyne was […] … Read MoreOlga (Ollie) Burgoyne (1879-1974)
Dubbed the Queen of Soul Food, Sylvia Woods was the owner of Sylvia’s Restaurant in Harlem, New York. She was born Sylvia Pressley in Hemingway, South Carolina on February 2, 1926. Her father died when she was three days old, and she was raised by … Read More … Read MoreSylvia Woods (1926-2012)
James VanDerZee was an African American photographer during the Harlem Renaissance who was best known for his pictures that captured the lives of African Americans in New York City, New York. He had a gift for capturing the most influential individuals and riveting artistic […] … Read MoreJames Van Der Zee (1886-1983)
[…] speech Marcus Garvey gave in New Orleans, Moore migrated to Harlem, New York in 1922 during the early years of the Harlem Renaissance. While in Harlem, she became a member and then a leader within Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). A proud shareholder […] … Read MoreAudley Moore (1898-1997)
Gladys Bentley (stage name, Bobbie Minton) was a Harlem Renaissance blues singer and cross dresser. She was one of the most well-known and financially successful black women in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. She was a pioneer in pushing the envelope […] … Read MoreGladys Bentley (1907-1960)
