Harlem Renaissance definition

Begun as a number of literary conversations in Manhattan, this African-American cultural movement eventually became known as the Harlem Renaissance which involved a high level of creativity among African-Americans.  The essence of the movement was about celebrating the culture of African-Americans and seeking to express it in a new way.  Alain LeRoy Locke, a sociologist, wrote a book entitled, “The New Negro” that had a big influence in encouraging many of the new immigrants moving into northern cities to take pride in their heritage and to express it.  Other key men that heavily influenced the movement include the editor W.E.B. Du Bois (editor of The Crisis Magazine) and Marcus Garvey (founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association).