Reflecting on the Harlem Renaissance

Exploring the reasons this period echoes a hundred years later.

As someone who hails from Brooklyn, my fascination with the Harlem Renaissance is profound. Having authored a book on this fascinating epoch and instructed university courses on its literature, I frequently immerse myself in works by Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, groove to tunes by Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, and delve into art by figures like Aaron Douglas and Augusta Savage.

The enduring draw of the Renaissance stems from its transformative impact on America. A century ago, the nation began to carve out a unique cultural identity, crafting its own melodies, choreography, art, and stories, independent of European influence. In this pivotal era—the Roaring Twenties in New York City—America embraced its authentic self.

Marking the Harlem Renaissance's centennial, The Times assembled a group of journalists to celebrate its legacy.

Our exploration took us back to an exceptionally rare interracial event on March 21, 1924, distinguished by notable figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, Carl Van Doren, and Alain Locke alongside emerging writers such as Gwendolyn Bennett and Countee Cullen.

Even in today's New York, gatherings of this nature are seldom seen. This particular dinner aimed to unite talent with publishing opportunities, successfully linking writers with publishing circles. Over the following decade, these Renaissance authors published more than 40 works in various genres, significantly reshaping America's literary scene. More details about this historic dinner, including the alliances and rivalries it spawned, can be explored further.