Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Introduction to African American Poets
In this lesson student groups will research selected African American poets using the Alabama Virtual Library. Each group will present its findings according to a chosen format.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Poetry, Making of African American Identity: V. 3
This study of black protest poems from the early part of the twentieth century through the late sixties can provide insight into the issues African Americans faced during that time and the ways they responded to them. Works from seven...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Poets, Making of African American Identity: V. 1
The writings of four African Americans poets from the late-eighteenth to the mid-nineteenth centuries that examine slavery, abolition, and emancipation. These authors include Phillis Wheatley, George Moses Horton, James Whitfield, and...
![De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://static.lp.lexp.cloud/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf] Unit Plan")
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf]
"Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet" is a one page, biographical passage about Gwendolyn Brooks, an African-American poet from Chicago. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes...
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet [Pdf]
"An African American Poet" is a one page, biographical passage about Gwendolyn Brooks, a famous African American poet. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence from the story; it includes...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Amiri Baraka
Provides some key facts and accomplishments in the life of African American poet and writer, Amiri Baraka.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Two Views, Making of African American Identity: V. 2
Two poems that explore the struggles of African Americans in the early-twentieth century. Links to both poems by Fenton Johnson are provided, and illustrate the struggles experienced as black man in white America in the 1910s
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, an African-American slave, is featured for her neoclassical poetry of pre-nineteenth century America. Click on "Phillis Wheatley Activities" for more resources.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Anne Spencer
In-depth site on Anne Spencer including an extensive biography of this famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Detailed information on her works, education, and contemporaries. Numerous photographs. Some of her poems are also included.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Phillis Wheatley, Poet
A brief look at the fascinating life of African American poet, Phillis Wheatley. Provides two portraits, and a sample page from Wheatley's collection of poems.
Library of Congress
Loc: Web Guides: Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith: Online Resources
A collection of online resources compiled by the Library of Congress for information on Tracy K. Smith, the U.S. Poet Laureate for 2017. Includes links to biographical information, audio recordings, videos, articles, essays, and book...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Social Realism: W. E. B. Du Bois
W. E. B. DuBois is featured here for his writings which advocated human rights for all, but particularly for African Americans in the early twentieth century. Click "W. E. B. DuBois Activities" for related materials.
New York Times
New York Times: Week of 5 26 14: Lyrical Witness of Jim Crow South, Dies at 86
[Free Registration/Login Required] African American poet Maya Angelou passed away this week. Learn about her difficult early life and rise to fame as a critically acclaimed author.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Etheridge Knight (1931 1991)
Modern American Poetry offers both biographical information about Black Arts poet, Etheridge Knight, and excepts of analyses of his poems.
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: The First Black Female Poet?
This article looks at a ballad, 'Bars Fight,' by 18th century African-American writer Lucy Terry. It considers the literary qualities of a ballad, and its historical role in society. It then goes on to consider why a Black slave might...
PBS
Pbs: Literature & Life: From Freedom to Slavery
Some of the African-American writers and poets who spoke out eloquently about their experiences of slavery in the 1700s and 1800s are featured in this section of Literature & Life. Read powerful first-person accounts of Harriet...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Rita Dove
This site focuses on Dove's poem "Parsley". It contains several interviews and articles about Dove and "Parsley". The text of the poem is not, however, available on this page.
University of Virginia
Explorations in Black Leadership: Nikki Giovanni
A video interview with poet and author Nikki Giovanni, civil rights activist. Includes full transcript of video and short biography.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Langston Hughes
This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Tracy K. Smith
A short biography of Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate. Includes links to her poems and a video of Tracy K. Smith reading some of her poems. [5:30]
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Jean Toomer
This is a brief biography of Jean Toomer, an African American author of poetry and short stories, published in many magazines in the early twentieth century. Click on "Jean Toomer Activities" for related materials.