Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Anne Spencer

For Students 9th - 10th
In-depth site on Anne Spencer including an extensive biography of this famous Harlem Renaissance poet. Detailed information on her works, education, and contemporaries. Numerous photographs. Some of her poems are also included.
Primary
Wisconsin Historical Society

Wisconsin Historical Society: African American Newspapers: Freedom's Journal

For Students 9th - 10th
Digitized collection of the first newspaper owned and produced by African-Americans (1827-1829).
Lesson Plan
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: The Legacy of Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine Zora Neale Hurston's lifelong commitment to African American literature and cultural preservation.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Culture, Making of African American Identity: Vol. 2, 1865 1917

For Students 9th - 10th
A chapter, an interview, and film clips that illustrate cultural expressions of African American identity in the late-nineteenth century. Culture is explored during the turn of the 20th century within this resource and is supported by...
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Associations (I), Making of African American Identity: V. 2

For Students 9th - 10th
Newspaper articles that illustrate how benevolent and charitable societies fostered racial solidarity among African Americans in late-nineteenth-century America are provided. Links to these articles can be found on the second page.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Popular Culture, Making of African American Identity: V. 2

For Students 9th - 10th
A sculpture, poster, poem, and a painting that challenge black stereotypes in the early-twentieth century. Links to these precursors to the Harlem Renaissance are provided at the top of the page.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Promised Land?

For Students 9th - 10th
A short story and a painting illustrating African American perceptions of Northern cities. Rudolph Fisher's short story "The City of Refuge" and William H. Johnson's painting Moon over Harlem offer insight into life within the black...
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: Old Timers, Newcomers

For Students 9th - 10th
An editorial cartoon and a newspaper article illustrating the tensions between members of established African American communities in the North and Southern migrants. Links to both resources are provided within this site.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Poetry, Making of African American Identity: V. 3

For Students 9th - 10th
This study of black protest poems from the early part of the twentieth century through the late sixties can provide insight into the issues African Americans faced during that time and the ways they responded to them. Works from seven...
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Community as Place, Making of African American Identity: V. 3

For Students 9th - 10th
Articles examining the notion of community as place. An essay by James Weldon Johnson and R. Edgar Iles provides different definitions of community by illustrating regional culture.
Website
Cengage Learning

Houghton Mifflin: Gwendolyn Brooks, Literary Analysis

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you will find theme, perspective, form, style, and contrast comparison. Good research material!
Unit Plan
Cengage Learning

Houghton Mifflin: Gwendolyn B. Bennett

For Students 9th - 10th
Although this site is intended for teachers in class preparation, it is information packed and has thought provoking questions at the end.
Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: African American Identity in the Gilded Age

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Examine the tension experienced by African-Americans as they struggled to establish a vibrant and meaningful identity based on the promises of liberty and equality in the midst of a society that was ambivalent towards them and sought to...
eBook
University at Buffalo

University at Buffalo: Helene Johnson Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, which is provided for by the University at Buffalo, gives the text of three of the poems of this famous Harlem Renaissance author.
Article
Scott Alexander

Red Hot Jazz: Ferdinand Jelly Roll Morton

For Students 9th - 10th
Red Hot Jazz offers a biography of jazz great, Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, with selections of Morton's compositions and arrangements in Real Audio format.
Graphic
US National Archives

Portrait of Black Chicago: John H. White

For Students 9th - 10th
From June through October 1973 and briefly during the spring of 1974, John H. White worked for the federal government photographing Chicago, especially the city`s African American community. His photographs portray the difficult...
Website
Rice University

Independence Heights: Portrait of Historic Neighborhood

For Students 9th - 10th
An oral history project recording the memories of long-time neighborhood residents of this black community near Houston, Texas.
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Billy Eckstine

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn of the historical contributions of jazz musician, band leader, and Pennsylvania native, Billy Eckstine in this succinct biography.
Website
abcteach

Abcteach: Kwanzaa

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This site features a worksheet focused on the seven Kwanzaa principles.
Unit Plan
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Zora Neale Hurston

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on Zora Neale Hurston including a bibliography, the video [2:30] "Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun" and links to 11 of her books including her most famous work There Eyes Were Watching God.
Website
PBS

Pbs.org: Sterling Brown, Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS offers a brief, but well-written, biography of the famous Harlem Renaissance author.
Website
PBS

Pbs: Literature & Life: Voices of the People

For Students 9th - 10th
Actor and singer Paul Robeson and playwright August Wilson are two African Americans featured in this discussion. Throughout their careers, they fought for justice for African Americans. This page has readings of their works and expert...
Website
Other

Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, & Culture

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes in detail the African roots of the holiday, the seven principles, and the seven basic symbols. Includes a comprehensive guide for those celebrating Kwanzaa for the first time.
Website
Other

Kwanzaa Information Center

For Students 3rd - 8th
Use this site to discover the history, symbols, celebrations, and language of Kwanzaa.