Chapter 21 Section 4 – Flashcards

a flowering of African American artistic creativity during the 1920's, centered in the Harlem community of New York city.

loved to read adventurous stories and myths. spent time with a traveling theater company and attended Howard university. ended up in New York where she struggled to the top of African American literary society by hard work, and grit.

A poet, lawyer, and NAACP executive secretary, who lead the organization to fight for legislation to protect African American rights.

An immigrant from Jamaica, who believed that African Americans should build a separate society. Founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Moved the association to New York City and opened offices in urban ghettos in order to recruit followers. Promoted African American businesses. Eventually convicted of mail fraud and was jailed for it.

A novelist, poet, and Jamaican immigrant, who was a major figure who militant verses urged African Americans to resist prejudice and discrimination. His poems expressed the pain of life in the black ghettos and the strain of being black in a world dominated by whites.

Missouri-born, he was the movements best-known poet. His poems described the difficult lives of working class African Americans. Some of his poems moved to the tempo of jazz and the blues.

The son of a one time slave, who became a major dramatic actor. Had a performance in Shakespeare.

A young trumpet player who joined Oliver's group, which became known as the Creole Jazz Band. Later joined Fletcher Henderson's band, which was the most important jazz band in New York City at the time.

A jazz pianist and composer, who led his orchestra at the Cotton Club. Won renown as one of the America's greatest composers, with pieces such as Mood Indigo.

A female blues singer, who was perhaps the outstanding vocalist of the decade. recorded on black oriented labels produced by the major record companies. Had enormous popularity and in 1927 was the highest paid black artist in the world.

African Americans migrated north in large numbers and found more equality and a community that supported the arts. Mingling with Caribbean people and Northerners created a unique cultural exchange and served as inspiration for the arts.

Many African Americans who migrated north moved to Harlem, a neighborhood on the Upper West Side of New York's Manhattan Island. In Harlem, during the 1920s, a literary and artistic movement known as the Harlem Renaissance flourished. The spirit and talent of the Renaissance as well as the music of black musicians such as Louis Armstrong spread across the country.

The Harlem Renaissance nurtured African-American pride, and contributed great literature, drama, and music to American culture.