Philadelphia’s Relationship to the Harlem Renaissance

This curriculum unit seeks to explore the New Negro Movement beyond the physical boundaries of Harlem, New York. As a result of the New Negro Movement occurring in several major United States urban centers, it has not only been called the Harlem Renaissance, but also the Negro Renaissance. Students will research relevant information regarding the African American artists, dancers, writers, performers, musicians, as well as entertainment venues, social/political organizations and the church in Philadelphia during the period referred to as the Harlem Renaissance. This expanded knowledge, more specifically, of African-American history and American history, in general, will provide students with the essential background information needed to describe African- Americans’ role in both Philadelphia and American history.