Lasting from the 1910s to the 1930s, the Harlem Renaissance inspired generations of Black American artists and activists — and helped pave the way for the civil rights movement.
When reflecting on early 20th-century America, some may remember tragic periods like the Great Depression and the rise of organized crime due to Prohibition. But this era was also richly transformative for Black American culture. This was largely thanks to the Harlem Renaissance, a movement that helped redefine Black identity in the United States.
Lasting from about the 1910s to the mid-1930s, the Harlem Renaissance saw the emergence of countless pieces of art, music, and literature that forever altered American society. From the explosion of vibrant jazz music to the more reflective works of writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, the Harlem Renaissance helped lay the groundwork for the greater push for civil rights that would follow in later decades.
Even amidst the backdrop of ongoing racism in the country and challenges like the Great Depression, the Harlem Renaissance was a joyous celebration of Black culture in America — one that left a permanent mark on the nation that can still be felt today. See our gallery of colorized photos from the Harlem Renaissance below to explore this transformative moment in history.
His signature stair dance also remains iconic to this day.Public Domain
Fitzgerald was given the moniker "The First Lady of Song" because of her exceptional tone, impeccable phrasing, and scat singing — not to mention her remarkable vocal range. Public Domain
Nicknamed "Lady Day," she captivated audiences with the emotional delivery of her performances — particularly with the song "Strange Fruit," which focused on the horrific lynchings of Black Americans in the South.Public Domain
Born in Topeka, Kansas, he eventually developed a distinctive artistic style that blended African elements with modernism. His work, including murals and illustrations, addressed social issues and celebrated Black American heritage, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo
The club was later taken over by a gangster named Owney Madden, who renamed it the Cotton Club. While it became a prominent venue that showcased Black talent like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, it catered only to white audience members.
This created a somewhat paradoxical situation, with Black artists providing entertainment while simultaneously being barred from watching the shows. Moreover, the club's "jungle" theme leaned into Black stereotypes that would, by most standards, be considered wildly offensive today.Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo
However, Cullen hoped that Black American writers would also draw their influences from European poetry traditions. This is partly because Cullen hoped for a "color blind" world.Public Domain
Battling racist and sexist barriers, she created impactful sculptures and mentored numerous artists. Her work, including Gamin and The Harp, reflected her dedication to portraying Black beauty and culture. Savage also championed equal rights for Black artists, helping to lay the groundwork for the civil rights movement.Public Domain
Known as the "Queen of Happiness," she captivated audiences with her stage presence and unique vocal style. She helped break down racial barriers on Broadway, and her signature song "I'm a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird" became a rallying cry for equal rights.Public Domain
A Cotton Club regular performer, he led a popular big band during the swing era, captivating audiences with his dynamic style and stage presence.Public Domain
She recorded over 50 hit songs, performed at the Cotton Club and Carnegie Hall, and in 1939, one critic called her the "finest actress of any race."Public Domain
Known for his rhythmic style on the piano and his comedic talents, he composed classics like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose." His infectious energy made him a beloved figure in jazz history.Public Domain
Johnson served as the NAACP's executive secretary, advocating for racial equality. He also wrote "Lift Every Voice and Sing," now considered the Black national anthem.
His novel The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man famously explored racial identity and social complexities after the Reconstruction era.Public Domain
The Beginnings Of The Harlem Renaissance
As the name suggests, the heart of the Harlem Renaissance was the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, which, like many other urban areas, saw a great influx of Black Americans who had left the South in favor of Northern cities that were less defined by racial segregation and racial violence. This 20th-century exodus came to be known as the Great Migration — and as a result, Harlem became a cultural hub for this growing Black population.
Science History Images/Alamy Stock PhotoThe 369th Infantry Regiment (also known as the Harlem Hellfighters), returning to New York City after World War I.
At the same time, the U.S. was experiencing a period of economic prosperity and social change, especially after the end of World War I. This environment helped cultivate creativity and cultural exchange, and in Harlem, this led to the emergence of prominent Black artists, writers, and musicians.
The convergence of these different ideas additionally challenged pervasive racial stereotypes and helped set the stage for a greater push for civil rights and social equality, a philosophy that was excellently summarized by writer W.E.B. Du Bois in his 1935 work Black Reconstruction in America:
"Nations reel and stagger on their way; they make hideous mistakes; they commit frightful wrongs; they do great and beautiful things. And shall we not best guide humanity by telling the truth about all this, so far as the truth is ascertainable?"
Of course, Du Bois was not the only prominent, influential writer of his era — nor were writers the only people at the forefront of this renaissance.
Leading Figures Of The Harlem Renaissance
While the Harlem Renaissance was ultimately defined by the contributions of countless individuals, there were, naturally, several figures who shaped and influenced the era in especially impactful ways.
In literature, for instance, writers like Langston Hughes became iconic voices of the moment. Hughes' poetry was a celebration of the Black American experience, a rejection of more traditional poetic forms in favor of jazz-inspired rhythms that resonated with countless people.
Writer and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston likewise celebrated African American folklore and culture, particularly in the rural South, and she provided nuanced, complex representations of Black Southern life that challenged simplistic narratives of the Black experience. Meanwhile, the Jamaican-born poet and novelist Claude McKay frequently addressed themes of racial pride and resistance against oppression in his work.
Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock PhotoWriter and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston in Florida.
The Harlem Renaissance was also notable for the emergence of pioneering musicians like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, who revolutionized jazz music and helped it reach global recognition. Harlem's famous Cotton Club hosted both of these artists, and many others, propelling jazz even further as a staple of Black culture — and as a quintessential American art form.
Artists like Aaron Douglas — known as the "father of African American art" — and Augusta Savage likewise played key roles in creating art that was representative of the Black experience. They also helped influence future generations and advocated for equal rights in the arts.
Other advocates for equality included W.E.B. Du Bois, a co-founder of the NAACP and an editor of its magazine, The Crisis, and Marcus Garvey, a proponent of Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism who founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), pushing for the eventual establishments of Black states around the world. Garvey and Du Bois strongly disagreed on a number of topics, but both left memorable legacies of intellectual achievement and inspiring philosophies.
In fact, Du Bois' concept of "double consciousness" — the psychological challenge of reconciling African and American identities — became a foundational intellectual theme of the Harlem Renaissance era.
However, by the mid-1930s, it was clear that this renaissance could not last forever. While the North may have been a safer haven than the South for Black Americans, true racial equality was still far away, and the harsh realities of the Great Depression and ongoing racism could not be ignored.
And nothing captured this more than the Harlem Riot of 1935.
The 1935 Harlem Riot And The Decline Of The Harlem Renaissance
On March 19, 1935, a 16-year-old Black Puerto Rican named Lino Rivera was caught attempting to steal a penknife from the S.H. Kress dime store on 125th Street. Police were called, and a crowd began to form outside the store. Fearing what might happen next, the store manager decided not to press charges, and the police released Rivera through the back door.
Misinformation, however, spread among the onlookers, with rumors circulating that Rivera had been beaten — or even killed — by the police.
Before long, the crowd had grown immensely, with thousands taking to the streets. The boiling anger — and long-running frustrations with racism — caused mass chaos. On the streets, rioters looted and vandalized businesses, largely sparing Black-owned shops. In total, the riot resulted in three deaths, over 100 injuries, and around $2 million in property damages.
Bettmann/Getty ImagesLooters from the Harlem riot of 1935 under arrest.
In response, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia established a multiracial commission to investigate the underlying causes of the unrest in Harlem. The commission's report ultimately determined that the riot had been an outburst of grievances resulting from factors like economic disparity, discrimination in employment, inadequate housing, and aggressive policing.
Although this did not mark an "official" end to the Harlem Renaissance, it effectively served as one. For all the progress that had been made in the Black community, it was clear that a long fight was still ahead.
However, the importance of the Harlem Renaissance cannot be overstated. This era established a new sense of Black identity in the U.S., showing how cultural elements like art and music could impact society at large.
These elements continue to influence global society to this very day, but more importantly, they confirmed that Black American culture was not a peripheral or subordinate cultural expression. Rather, it was — and has always been — an integral part of the American cultural identity.
After seeing the Harlem Renaissance brought to life in stunning color, check out colorized photos of Paris during its "beautiful era." Then, see these colorized photos that show Victorian London as it truly was.
