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.

"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...

"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...

Provides some key facts and accomplishments in the life of African American poet and writer, Amiri Baraka.

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.

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.

[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.

Modern American Poetry offers both biographical information about Black Arts poet, Etheridge Knight, and excepts of analyses of his poems.

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...

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.

A video interview with poet and author Nikki Giovanni, civil rights activist. Includes full transcript of video and short biography.

This resource focuses on the works of famous African-American author, Langston Hughes.

Detailed account of the writer's life. Contains references to contemporaries, influences and motivations in her career.

Explore a wealth of poems, lesson plans, and classroom activities to help elementary school students discover the diversity in African-American poets and create their own voice in poetry. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).

A short biography of African American writer Amiri Baraka and an interview with him conducted by Julian Bond available in video download or script format. With insight into influential people in his life, career development, influence of...

A bibliographical list of works by or about the African American poet Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784). Click on the links to take you to the works. The first link takes you to a directory of files containing Wheately poetry or questions...

This site provides a biography of Langston Hughes, followed by several of his poems (some complete with audio clips) and a bibliography of his more influential works.

This excellent site provides a biography, critical commentary on several poems, examples of Dunbar's illustrated work, images and the text of several poems.

An extensive look at the life and works of Sterling A. Brown of the Harlem Renaissance. With links to specific poems and analysis, a biography, and related topics.

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Michael S. Harper, an African-American poet whose sensitive, personal verse is concerned with ancestral kinship, jazz and the blues, and the separation of the races in America.

This tribute article discusses the author as a professor, critic and Poet Laureate.

Excellent biography citing influences on the famous author's work. Links to contemporaries of the era.

Visit this resource to find a wealth of poems, lesson plans, and classroom activities to help middle school students discover the diversity in African American poets and create their own voice in poetry. This resource is in PDF form.

Site from the University at Buffalo is still under construction for a mini biography and bibliography. However, site does have an interview of Rita Dove from 1997 and thirteen writings or poems by Dove. Links to other African American...