Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Georgia Douglas Johnson
Learn about Georgia Douglas Johnson, an important Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright. List of suggested readings included.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Akron at Night by Teri Ellen Cross Davis
Teri Ellen Cross Davis is a poet who draws upon small, personal moments to explore large themes. Common subjects in her poetry include the experiences of women and people of color in America. This poem is from her 2016 collection Haint....
Other
Phillis Wheatley: Precursor of American Abolitionism
A discussion of the 18th century African American poet Phillis Wheatley and her influence on the abolition movement.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Biographical profile of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, the first African American woman to publish a short story and also an influential abolitionist, suffragist, and reformer.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: A Harlem Renaissance Retrospective
In this activity, students work in collaborative groups to conduct Internet research and create a museum exhibit that highlights the work of selected artists, musicians, and poets of the Harlem Renaissance.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: "Hard Rock Returns to Prison"
Text of the Etheridge Knight poem, "Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminally Insane."
Utah State University
A Mini Unit of Gwendolyn Brooks
Nice lesson plan for grades 5-6 that explores poetry and personal expression through the work of Gwendolyn Brooks. Has lots of activities but could easily be modified for time. Has nearly everything you need to do the lesson!
BBC
Bbc News: Week of 5 26 14: Obituary: Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was not only a poet but also many other things including a teacher, civil rights activist, abuse survivor, mother and dancer. Learn about her remarkable life and why her work is so significant to many people.
Other
Scholastic News: Week of 5 26 14: Maya Angelou: Remembering a Life of Brilliance
Poet Maya Angelou, who passed away this week, was also a civil rights activist. Learn about the work she did, and why it was so important to her and many others.
Black Past
Black Past: Grimke, Angelina Weld
This encyclopedia article gives a brief accounting of Angelina Weld Grimke's life and her writings.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Discovering a Passion for Poetry W/ Langston Hughes
After analyzing examples of contemporary youth poetry as well as the poetry of Langston Hughes, learners will use the Internet to conduct research on how events in the world have shaped Hughes' work. They will cite specific examples that...
Library of Congress
Loc: Paul Laurence Dunbar: Online Resources
"The digital collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of material associated with Paul Laurence Dunbar, including manuscripts, photographs, and books." This resource tool gathers links to digital materials available...
University of South Florida
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Lit2 Go: James Weldon Johnson
The complete text of James Weldon Johnson's novel, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," and his lyrics, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The texts can be read online or downloaded by individual chapters in MP3 format. In addition, each...
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Maya Angelou
A well-written biography of Maya Angelou. Includes a profile, interview and photo gallery. In the interview, she talks at length about her friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he was like as a person.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Jean Toomer
Learn interesting facts about Jean Toomer, African-American poet and novelist.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Margaret Walker
This is a site devoted to the life and times of the African American poet Margaret Walker. Among the numerous links found on the page are links to full texts of 16 poems, questions from an audience, a panel's discussion of her poetry, a...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Anne Spencer
Learn about the life and works of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer who lived her entire life in Virginia and fought for equal rights for African Americans.
Cengage Learning
Studying Francis Ellen Watkins Harper
This Houghton Mifflin site prepared by Elizabeth Ammons is a study site about Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, the 19th century African American author.
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Derek Walcott
This site, created by a University of Buffalo math professor with a deep interest in African American and Caribbean writing, gives four poems by Walcott an audio of him speaking, and a biography and bibliography.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Langston Hughes
This introduction to the life and writing of Langston Hughes profiles the poet who emerged with the Harlem Renaissance to earn "a place amongst the greatest poets America has ever produced."
Other
Women in History: Phillis Wheatley
This fact sheet provides dates and details about the life and work of the poet Phillis Wheatley.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Margaret Walker
Biographical details on Margaret Walker, an American novelist and poet who was one of the leading black woman writers of the mid-20th century.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Aime Cesaire
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Aime Cesaire, a Martinican poet, playwright, and politician, who was cofounder with Leopold Sedar Senghor of Negritude, an influential movement to restore the...