Celebrate Black Heritage Month by studying this extraordinary vocalist who transcended a troubled childhood to become an American treasure. Create a musical timeline of the noteworthy events in Ella's life. Explore her sensational lyrics...

An interview with Tracy K. Smith, the 2017 U.S. Poet Laureate, where she discusses writing a memoir, her poetry, and David Bowie. (Published June 28, 2016)

The Antislavery Literature Project is a collaborative electronic publishing venture that provides educational access to the literature and history of the antislavery movement in the United States that is crucial to understanding African...

This site offers a collection of 35 "Uncle Remus" stories, written by Joel Chandler Harris. In addition, many of Harris's songs and poems are gathered here, and some analysis of his work.

Langston Hughes is known mainly for his rhythmic poems set to music. This site gives an in-depth look at his background, including biographical information, what he wrote about, who influenced him, and his level of success.

Read about the poem, Parsley, by African American poet, Rita Dove. This site goes into detail examing the poem and its signifciance.

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.

This poem by Maya Angelou taps into the black pride movement during the twentieth century. This site gives an excellent analysis of the poem and its important themes.

Text of the Etheridge Knight poem, "Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminally Insane."

The text of Etheridge Knight's poem, "The Idea of Ancestry."

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features George Moses Horton, an African American poet who wrote sentimental love poems and antislavery protests. He was one of the first professional black writers in America.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart compares and contrasts the African American leaders of the late 1800's and early 1900's. It includes Venn Diagrams, quotes, pictures, and poetry.

Use this resource to learn about what makes African-American writer, Paul Laurence Dunbar, heroic in the eyes of others. This article includes information on his life and poetry, as well as "related links" to further related information.

Biographical information on American writer Alice Walker whose novels, short stories, and poems are noted for their insightful treatment of African-American culture. Her novels, most notably The Color Purple (1982), focus particularly on...

This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Henry Dumas, an African-American author of poetry and fiction who wrote about the clash between black and white cultures.

Designed by architect Charles Moore, the Hood Museum of Art has a permanent collection ranging from Ancient and Asian to Modern and Contemporary Art. Of special note are American portrait paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries,...

This site is from the University of Washington, where McElroy is a professor. It has biographical information, a list of her works, and other details about the writer.

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...

This is the full text of the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. It includes a short bio of Langston Hughes and a focuses for the reader: As you read, take notes on the metaphor and larger message presented in the text. [Free...

This guide discusses Langston Hughes's body of poetry, as well as briefly analyzing characteristics in several individual poems. The site also offers an interview with writer Afaa Weaver regarding Hughes's works, discussion questions, a...

This Web English Teacher site compiled links to learn more about Paul Laurence Dunbar's work. Explore this informative resource to learn more about his poetry and life.

A short essay and poem written in Bambara's honor after her death.

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]

[Free Registration/Login Required] An obituary for Helene Johnson, a famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Includes quotations from some of her poems.