Music

Trumpeter and singer developed new improving techniques; big bands; small groups; several popular hits.

Entertainer

Dancer and comedian of international reputation; Paris Hit, Ziegfield Follies in New York.

Sculptor

Active in Harmon Foundation Exhibitions – Realistic Sculptor of portrait heads, theatrical.

Artist

Artist, editorial cartoonist for the Baltimore AfroAmerican. Influenced by artists from many cultures including Africa, Japan and China.

Musician & Actor

Singer, conductor, celebrated composer who replaced Duke Ellington at the renowned Cotton Club.

Aviation

First Black person in the world to become a licensed pilot.

Poet, Writer & Teacher

Assistant editor of Opportunity.  Wrote “Black Christ” other poems.  Wrote novel, One Way to Heaven.  Taught at Frederick Douglas Jr. High School.

Humanitarian

Founder of a religious group – ran homes of support.

Artist, Illustrator & Teacher

Illustrated:  Locke’s The New Negro, James Weldon Johnson’s God’s Trombones, and several murals.

Writer, Sociologist, Historian, Educatior, Poet & Humanitarian

Wrote or Edited 34 books including, The Souls of Black Folk, and Theory of “The Talented Tenth.”  Editor of Crisis.  Founded – National Association of the Advancement of Colored People.

Musician

Composer, pianist, band leader – one of the great innovators of modern American music – Big Band Jazz.

Black Nationalist

Spoke of Black Pride:  Africanism – Encouraged Black Enterprise.  Founded shipping firm, Black Star Line.

Harlem Renaissance Basketball Team

America's first all-black, black-owned, fully professional basketball team

Black Fives

Harlem Rens

Baseball Player

Josh Gibson

Josh Gibson Biography

Cartoonist

Political protests of black conditions.

Poet & Writer

Prolific writer – fiction, opera, drama, gospel, history, autobiography, poems – “The Weary Blues” & “Harlem.”

Novelist & Anthropologist

Wrote Jonah’s Gourd Vine & Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Painter

International artist in classic tradition – later turned to primitivism.

Painter

Series painter of historical themes including:  Harriet Tubman Series & Migration Series – influenced by Harlem Renaissance artists.

Boxer

Heavy Weight Boxing Champion – beat German, Max Schmeling in 1938 rematch.

Mentor & Editor

Promoter of Renaissance Anthology, The New Negro. Mover in the arts.

Poet, Writer & International Traveler

Poetry collection – Harlem Shadows. Poem – “If We Must Die” 1919.  Books – Home to Harlem & A Long Way From Home.

Musician

Famous for Shuffle Along.  Her theme song was “I’m a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird.”

Baseball Athlete

Pitcher – 40 year career.
Baseball Hall of Famer.

Realtor

President of Afro-American Realty Co. – first agent to rent apartments in Harlem to black people.

Painter

Spanish painter heavily influenced by African/Cuban Art.

Actor, Singer, Athlete & Political Activist

One of the first actors to portray realistic black characters in film mastered over 20 languages.

Sculptor & Teacher

Portrayed black physiognomy realistically:  Gamon, her nephew, opened a teaching studio in Harlem.

Dancer

Dancer, "hoofer" and a mascot of the Giants baseball team.

Bibliophile

Historian of Africa amassed large collection of books, pamphlets print, painting, and photography, which was later purchased by New York Public Library.  He inspired many successful black people.

Artist

Painter of Black America People and Bible scenes.  Lived in Paris and inspired and helped many black Americans there.

Photographer

Documented lives of Harlem residents – official photographer for Marcus Garvey.

Critic, Photographer, Writer & Party Giver

Wrote:  Nigger Heaven.  Introduced black artists to patrons.  Photographed many important people.

Socialite

Opened her home to writers and artists.  Catalytic figure in Harlem Renaissance – Big parties.

Hair and Cosmetics Entrepreneur

Richest self-made woman in America.  Promoted economic opportunity for others.

Teacher, Organizer, Author & Public Speaker

Wrote:  Up From Slavery. Organizer and principal – Tuskegee Institute.  Advocated vocational training instead of demanding citizenship like W.E.B. Du Bois did.

Jockey

Won Kentucky Derby twice (consecutively).