African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Alain Locke
A biography of African-American writer Alain Locke, chief interpreter of the Harlem Renaissance, the video [5:30] "Ossie Davis: Dr. Alain Leroy Locke's Influence," and links to three of his books.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University: Langston Hughes (1902 1967)
Excellent research site on Langston Hughes. Includes theme, perspective, form, style, audience, comparison and contrast of the famous Harlem Renaissance author's work.
John F. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center: Musical Harlem
The Kennedy Center's ArtsEdge offers a great unit for introducing jazz to students. Its use of Harlem as the "glue" which binds together elements such as jazz history and jazz terminology, makes it particularly effective for the...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Southern Road and the "New Negro Renaissance"
Great research site! Gives passages from many of the works of the authors of this era. Well-written overview.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Symbolism in "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"
This video segment from A Walk Through Harlem features the poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes.
PBS
Pbs: "Cora Unashamed" in the Classroom
Langston Hughes' short story "Cora Unashamed" was made into a Masterpiece Theatre production. This brief teacher guide offers ideas about using it in the classroom. The site also includes background on the time period, the Harlem...
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: The Jean Toomer Pages
The Jean Toomer Pages surveys the life and work of this Harlem Renaissance poet and novelist.
PBS
Pbs: The Story of Jazz
A supplement to a ten-part film series on jazz, this resource describes the growth and development of jazz music from the gritty streets of New Orleans to the Lincoln Gardens on Chicago's south side, where Louis Armstrong first won fame,...
University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin: Harry Ransom Center: Teaching the American 20s
Thematic overview of 1920s America that considers the shifts that took place in American society after World War I. Focuses on changing perspectives toward labor, capitalism, women, and immigration, as well as on the American reaction to...
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: The Poetry and Prose of Langston Hughes [Pdf]
In this lesson, 11th graders explore how the poetry of Langston Hughes reflected political and social issues of the time and how literature can support social change.
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Music From the Ashes
This is a self-guided learning unit on the topic of poetry. Included are lessons, self-assessments, background information, learning activities, and related literature. Learn how to analyze poetry, appreciate figurative language, and...
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: The Art of Romare Bearden
Newshour with Jim Lehrer, a nightly news broadcast on PBS, offers a wealth of material on Romare Bearden. Content includes the NewsHour report, a gallery of his artwork, extended interviews with the artist, and a companion lesson plan.
Van Gogh Gallery
The Van Gogh Gallery: Charles Alston
Biographical account covers the life and career of Charles Alston, African-American painter and sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: American Women: Jessie Fauset
Read a brief biography of Jessie Fauset, who was a leader in the Harlem Renaissance. See a portrait of her painted by Laura Wheeler Waring.
Other
E Notes: Short Story Criticism: Jean Toomer
A review of Jean Toomer, an influential writer during the Harlem Renaissance. Presents a biography and a look at his contributions to short fiction.
Other
Blues Online: Langston Hughes' Weary Blues
Langston Hughes' collection of "Weary Blues" is posted on this page by Blues Online. With eleven poems and a picture of the Harlem Renaissance poet.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Langston Hughes
A lesson plan based around the use of metaphor in Langston Hughes's "Dreams" poem. A good reference for teachers looking for lesson ideas on the Harlem Renaissance.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Beauford Delaney
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Beauford Delaney is described here along with information on his contributions to art through his association with the Harlem Renaissance and his portraits of African Americans.
Black Past
Black Past: Cullen, Countee
The brief encyclopedia article tells about Countee Cullen, famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: World War I and Postwar Society
Collection of primary source material from the Library of Congress chronicles the plight of African Americans during WWI and the Harlem Renaissance that followed.
Other
Jazz Age Culture: Part 1
Features numerous links to external sites that provide information pertaining to the flapper era, jazz and the Harlem Renaissance, prohibition, racial violence, and crime.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: William H. Johnson
The Luce Foundation Center for American Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum presents this short biography and photographic portrait of William H. Johnson, the influential African-American painter participant in the Harlem...
Duke University
Shuffle Along Orchestra
This section focuses on the people created the hit musical, "Shuffle Along," which helped to spur the Harlem Renaissance. Other information on the site about the importance of other black theater during the period.
Art Institute of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago: Art Access: African American Art
The Art Institute of Chicago's collection of African American art provides a rich introduction to over 100 years of noted achievements in painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Ranging chronologically from the Civil War era to the Harlem...