Harlem is a neighborhood in the
New York City Burrough of
Manhattan. It is a major African
American cultural and business
center.
MALI
SENEGAL
During the early nineteen twenties it is
estimated that more than 200,000 Negroes
migrated to Harlem: West Indians,
Africans and American Negroes from the
cotton fields and cane brakes of the Deep
One of the most frequently visited sites is the Maison des Esclaves (Slave
South.
House), a poignant reminder of Goreé's role as the center of West African slave
trade. Built by the Dutch in 1776, the slave house has been preserved in its
original state.
GHANA
Facts about Harlem
Harlem has served as the home and key inspiration to
generations of novelists, poets, musicians, and actors.
Harlem has been home to a variety of ethnic group since the
turn of the twentieth century. With the influx of different
cultures and races important advances happened in theater,
fiction, and music.
Called the most significant community in black America,
the Harlem borough of New York City was both the
cradle of a cultural revolution and the center of the
civil rights movement.
Harlem Renaissance
In the early 1900s, particularly in the 1920s, African-American literature, art, music, dance,
and social commentary began to flourish in Harlem. This African-American cultural movement
became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem Renaissance. More
than a literary movement, the Harlem Renaissance highlighted the unique culture of AfricanAmericans and redefined African-American expression. African-Americans were encouraged
to celebrate their heritage.
There were many African Americans that influenced history and gave the
people hope that some day they would be able to live a life of equality.
Langston Hughes
John Arthur Johnson better known as Jack Johnson and nicknamed the
"Galveston Giant", was an American boxer and arguably the best
heavyweight of his generation. He was the first black Heavyweightt
Champion of the World, 1908-1915. In a documentary about his life, Ken
Burns said: "For more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most
famous, and the most notorious African-American on Earth".[1]
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American jazz
composer, pianist, and band leader who has been one of the most
influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music.
The Apollo theater celebrates its 75th
anniversary this year. It is referred to as
the “Soul of American Culture.”
Since its opening, the Apollo has
played host to many great acts. It was
one of the first venues to host African
American and Hispanic acts.
Many famous musicians “made it” at
the playing the Apollo.
Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr.,
James Brown, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther
Vandross, and Lauryn Hill are a few.
Famous Faces
Harlem has been home to many famous faces…
Let’s not forgot about the Harlem
Globetrotters!
Created by Abe Saperstein in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the team adopted the name Harlem
because of its connotations as a major African-American community. Over the years they have
played more than 20,000 exhibition games in 118 countries.
W.D.M.
• Harlem, as you already know, was the
home of Walter Dean Myers!