Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Alice Walker
Alice Walker is highlighted in this brief biography for her acclaimed contributions to literature, relating the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. Click on "Alice Walker Activities" for related materials.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Melvin Tolson
Biographical information on Melvin Tolson, an African-American poet who worked within the modernist tradition to explore African-American issues.
Shmoop University
Shmoop: Parsley
Read about the poem, Parsley, by African American poet, Rita Dove. This site goes into detail examing the poem and its signifciance.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Michael S. Harper
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Amiri Baraka
Poet and playwright Amiri Baraka is featured in this brief biography for his radical views and contributions during the Black Arts Movement in America. See "Amiri Baraka Activities" for related resources.
Howard University
Howard University: Sterling A. Brown, a Literary Tribute
This tribute article discusses the author as a professor, critic and Poet Laureate.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Sterling A. Brown
Excellent biography citing influences on the famous author's work. Links to contemporaries of the era.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay
A biography and analysis of the life of the famous author, as well as literary criticism as well as online poems, letters and a bibliography. Includes many quotes and his poetry.
![Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: A Guide for Middle School Teachers [Pdf] Unit Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/409999/large/bwluav9tywdpy2symdiwmduymc0ymze2mc1mddbubjmuanbn.jpg?1589983063 "Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: A Guide for Middle School Teachers [Pdf] Unit Plan")
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation: Dream in Color: A Guide for Middle School Teachers [Pdf]
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.
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation: Maya Angelou (1928 2014)
A look at the life and works of poet and writer Maya Angelou, complete with detailed biography, bibliography, links to poems and articles.
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation: Lucille Clifton (1936 2010)
Biographical information on the life and works of poet Lucille Clifton.
University at Buffalo
Univ. At Buffalo: Circle Association's Rita Dove Page
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...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Phillis Wheatley
Brief biography of early American poet Wheatley, including helpful links and other additional titles about her.
National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame: Maya Angelou
Read a biography of African-American writer Maya Angelou, a woman whose career has inspired and affected millions of people.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 2: Langston Hughes and the Blues
Explore relationship between music and poetry in this African-American history lesson on Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance, and other artists such as Bessie Smith, John Hammond, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
Poetry Foundation
Poetry Foundation: Tracy K. Smith
A profile of Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate. Includes links to her poems and to a video where she talks about her book, Life on Mars.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Jean Toomer
A biography of Jean Toomer and links to two editions of his book Cane.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Walking Down Park by Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni is one of the foremost authors of the Black Arts Movement and has won numerous awards. Her work ranges from covering topics on race, gender, the African American experience and social issues to children's literature and...
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: Maya Angelou
Read about the inspiring life story of Maya Angelou, an African American poet and author.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Yusef Komunyakaa
This is a link to two interviews of Komunyakaa: on poetry and on the heritage of jazz for African American poets. There is a commentary on "Tu Do Street". There are several links to other Komunyakaa sites.
New York Times
New York Times: Helene Johnson, Poet of Harlem, 89, Dies
[Free Registration/Login Required] An obituary for Helene Johnson, a famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Includes quotations from some of her poems.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Paul Laurence Dunbar
This site focuses on Paul Laurence Dunbar including a biography that includes a poem in dialect "Negro Love Song" illustrating how well the author used this format. It also includes links to eight of his books.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Langston Hughes
This site gives a short biography of Langston Hughes's life, a "Mini Bio: Langston Hughes" video [3:33] and links to 20 of his books.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: The Rita Dove Home Page
This is the official University of Virginia's Rita Dove Home Page. Read either a brief or a comprehensive biography on Rita poet. This site also offers photographs of Rita Dove and links to other related Rita