Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance was a flowering of creativity that is associated with African Americans who moved to Harlem in the early 20th century. Following World War I and before the onset of the Great Depression, black self-determination gave rise to a cultural, economic, and identity revolution that shattered earlier stereotypes of black inferiority, submissiveness, and disempowerment. The locus of the creative energy that is known as the Harlem Renaissance was Harlem itself. The effects of the movement contributed to a growing middle class and the recognition of black talent across all fields. New opportunities arose with regard to entrepreneurship and other business endeavors, and black performers and writers could successfully sell their talents and products.