The Harlem Renaissance was a period of heightened racial consciousness and artistic production. Explore the artists, writers, and important historical figures that shaped this defining moment in African American history.

This essential two-volume encyclopedia examines the Harlem Renaissance through A-Z entries that explore topics such as the art, literature, music, dance, and culture of the period. The entries are accompanied by contextualizing information in the form of topical overview essays, a chronology of key moments, and a selection of primary documents, assisting readers in understanding the origins and development of this culturally significant time.

This resource shines the spotlight on artists, performers, and writers associated with the Harlem Renaissance, such as Zora Neale Hurston and Aaron Douglas, as well as on historical figures and organizations, such as the NAACP, providing cultural context. Entries on important locales and businesses provide readers with a sense of the environment that fostered this cultural renaissance.

Venetria K. Patton is Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professor of English and African American Studies at Purdue University, USA.

Kwakiutl L. Dreher is Associate Professor of English and Ethnic Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.