The Harlem Renaissance

This curriculum unit will explore and discuss the Harlem Renaissance, a phenomenon typically associated with the Great Migration of African Americans from the Southern regions of the United States to the Northern Midwestern regions of the country. The Renaissance marked a vibrant time in America’s history--one filled with art, music, literature and dance. The major focus of the unit will be on Black visual artists such as Jacob Lawrence, William H. Johnson and Aaron Douglas. We will also listen to and interpret music by Duke Ellington. Overall, the goal of this unit is to help students understand the Harlem Renaissance and the impact that it had on the United States, African American literature, art, music and dance. Students will also understand how it assisted in empowering a race, giving Blacks the power to fight for what they never sought before: equality.