Fine Arts Night: Poems from the Harlem Renaissance & Now
Poems from the Harlem Renaissance & Now
Our current poetry walk is located on the bulletin boards along the Keith Street hallway. It includes four books featuring works by African American poets and illustrators. Our own Memorial artists will be adding their illustrations in the cases across from Student Services.
Read on for more information on the Harlem Renaissance, the books, the artists, and some teaching resources.
About the Harlem Renaissance
About the Books
Poetry for Young People: Langston Hughes by Showcasing the extraordinary Langston Hughes, it's edited by two leading poetry experts and features gallery-quality art by Benny Andrews that adds rich dimension to the words. Hughes's magnificent, powerful words still resonate today, and the anthologized poems in this splendid volume include his best-loved works: "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"; "My People"; "Words Like Freedom"; "Harlem"; and "I, Too, Sing America" - his sharp, pointed response to Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing."
The Negro Speaks of Rivers by Langston Hughes has long been acknowledged as the voice, and his poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, the song, of the Harlem Renaissance. Although he was only seventeen when he composed it, Hughes already had the insight to capture in words the strength and courage of black people in America. Artist E.B. Lewis acts as interpreter and visionary, using watercolor to pay tribute to Hughes's timeless poem, a poem that every child deserves to know.
One Last Word by "One Last Word is the work of a master poet." - Kwame Alexander, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Crossover From the New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes an emotional, special new collection of poetry inspired by the Harlem Renaissance--paired with full-color, original art from today's most exciting African-American illustrators. Inspired by the writers of the Harlem Renaissance, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses "The Golden Shovel" poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of master poets like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Jean Toomer, and others who enriched history during this era. Each poem is paired with one-of-a-kind art from today's most exciting African American illustrators--including Pat Cummings, Brian Pinkney, Sean Qualls, James Ransome, Javaka Steptoe, and many more--to create an emotional and thought-provoking book with timely themes for today's readers. A foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, poet biographies, and index makes this not only a book to cherish, but a wonderful resource and reference as well. A 2017 New York Public Library Best Kids Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2017, Middle Grade A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017, Nonfiction
The Hill We Climb by On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a poetry reading at a presidential inauguration. Taking the stage after the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden, Gorman captivated the nation and brought hope to viewers around the globe with her call for unity and healing. Her poem "The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country" can now be cherished in this special gift edition, perfect for any reader looking for some inspiration. Including an enduring foreword by Oprah Winfrey, this remarkable keepsake celebrates the promise of America and affirms the power of poetry.
About the Poets
Langston Hughes
(born Feb. 1, 1902, Joplin, Mo., U.S.—died May 22, 1967, New York, N.Y.)
U.S. poet and writer. He published the poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” when he was 19, briefly attended Columbia University, and worked on an Africa-bound freighter. His literary career was launched when Hughes, working as a busboy, presented his poems to Vachel Lindsay as he dined. Hughes’s poetry collections include The Weary Blues (1926) and Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951). His later The Panther and the Lash (1967) reflects black anger and militancy. Among his other works are short stories (including “The Ways of White Folks,” 1934), autobiographies, many works for the stage, anthologies, and translations of poetry by Federico García Lorca and Gabriela Mistral. His well-known comic character Jesse B. Semple, called Simple, appeared in his newspaper columns.
"Hughes, (James Mercer) Langston." Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Britannica Digital Learning, 2017. Credo Reference, https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/ebconcise/hughes_james_mercer_langston/0?institutionId=11345. Accessed 16 Feb. 2023.
Nikki Grimes
Nikki Grimes does not consider herself a bona fide storyteller, but, as she told an audience at the Library of Congress, she is happy to own the title Poet. Born and raised in New York City, Nikki began composing verse at the age of six and has been writing ever since that time.
A bestselling author and a prolific artist, Nikki has written many award-winning books for children and young adults, as well as articles for magazines.
An accomplished and widely anthologized poet of both children's and adult verse, Grimes has conducted poetry readings and lectures at international schools in Russia, China, Sweden and Tanzania, while short-term mission projects have taken her to such trouble spots as Haiti.
Nikki has been honored with the NCTE Award for Poetry and the 2016 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award from Kent State University. In 2017, she was presented with the Children's Literature Legacy Award for her "substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children." In 2020, Nikki was chosen to receive The ALAN Award for outstanding contributions to the field of adolescent literature. In 2021, she was pleased to be presented with the 2022 Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ms. Grimes lives in Corona, California.
Text and image from https://www.nikkigrimes.com/bio.html.
Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, as well as an award-winning writer and cum laude graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Sociology. She has written for the New York Times and has three books forthcoming with Penguin Random House.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, she began writing at only a few years of age. Now her words have won her invitations to the Obama White House and to perform for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, and others. Amanda has performed multiple commissioned poems for CBS This Morning and she has spoken at events and venues across the country, including the Library of Congress and Lincoln Center. She has received a Genius Grant from OZY Media, as well as recognition from Scholastic Inc., YoungArts, the Glamour magazine College Women of the Year Awards, and the Webby Awards. She has written for the New York Times newsletter The Edit and penned the manifesto for Nike's 2020 Black History Month campaign. In 2017, Amanda Gorman was appointed the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate by Urban Word – a program that supports Youth Poets Laureate in more than 60 cities, regions and states nationally. She is the recipient of the Poets & Writers Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, and is the youngest board member of 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the United States.
Text and image from https://www.theamandagorman.com.
About the Illustrators
Sean G. Qualls
Sean Qualls is an award winning, Brooklyn-based, children’s book illustrator and author. Qualls draws inspiration from influences such as movies, childhood memories, old buildings, Americana, black memorabilia, cave paintings, African art, mythology, and more.
Shadra Strickland
Shadra Strickland is an award-winning illustrator and author of children’s books. Her style is a whimsical blend of reality and imagination, creating stories in which children can see themselves. Strickland teaches illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.
Christopher Myers
Christopher Myers is an award-winning illustrator, and the son of the late Walter Dean Myers. While he is widely acclaimed for his work with literature for young people, he is also an accomplished fine artist and clothing designer who has lectured and exhibited internationally.
Benny Andrews
Benny Andrews was an artist, activist and educator known for his expressive paintings. Andrews founded the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition, which advocated for representation of Black artists and curators in New York’s major art museums in the 1960s-70s.
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Jan Spivey Gilchrist is the award-winning illustrator-author of 74 children’s books. Dr. Gilchrist has her Ph.D. in English and holds degrees in writing, art, and education. She is passionate about combining the imagery and lessons from her past into works of art all children can enjoy.
James Ransome
James Ransome is well-known for illustrations for his many children's books. At age 60 he recently earned an MFA, and is developing a second career as a painter. Ransome focuses on books about African American figures in history, politics, sports and the arts.
Ebony Glenn
Ebony Glenn is an Atlanta-based illustrator of numerous books by bestselling authors for young readers. She has a passion for the arts, great storytelling, and advocating for more diverse narratives in children’s books. Ebony aims to foster a love for reading in young readers.
Cozbi A. Cabrera
Cozbi A. Cabrera received a BFA from Parsons School of Design. She is the illustrator of several acclaimed children's picture books and she also designs clothes and makes cloth dolls that have garnered the attention of collectors around the world.
Frank Morrison
Frank Morrison started his illustration journey as a graffiti artist in New Jersey. Later, it was the opportunity to tour with music artist Sybil as a breakdancer, an influential high school art teacher, and a visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris that opened him up to new creative avenues.
Javaka Steptoe
Javaka Steptoe is a children’s book author and illustrator creating a dialog between art and life with thought-provoking collages. Javaka explores art’s relation to everyday life in Radiant Child, which tells the story of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
E. B. Lewis
E.B. Lewis has illustrated over seventy books for children. Inspired by two artist uncles, Lewis displayed artistic promise as early as the third grade. Lewis attended the Temple University Tyler School of Art. There, he discovered his medium of preference was watercolor.
R. Gregory Christie
R. Gregory Christie started his illustration career with album artwork, and then on to children’s books. His first book, Palm of My Heart, earned him a Coretta Scott King Honor award. Some of his books deal with historical figures, and others are fantastical and abstract.
Elizabeth Zunon
Elizabeth Zunon was born in Albany, New York, and grew up in on the Ivory Coast of West Africa. Memories of her childhood can be seen in her artwork. Elizabeth now explores a multicultural world as an author and illustrator though painting, beading, sewing, and collage.
Pat Cummings
Pat Cummings is the author and/or illustrator of over 40 books for young readers. Along with teaching children’s book classes at Pratt and Parsons, she holds a summer Children’s Book Boot Camp that brings writers and illustrators together with top editors and art directors.
Brian Pinkney
Brian Pinkney, son of renowned illustrator Jerry Pinkney, has illustrated numerous acclaimed books for children. His many awards include two Caldecott Honors. He and his wife, Andrea Davis Pinkney, have published over 70 children's books.
Teaching Resources
Selected Nearpod Lessons
(Many other Nearpod lessons are available on topics related to the poetry walk.)
In this YouTube video, students watch 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman read “The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021. They analyze her use of literary devices and consider what the poem means to them.
In this Windows & Mirrors mini-lesson, students watch a video of poet Amanda Gorman reciting her original poem "The Hill We Climb" and consider how the poem is a window, a mirror, or both for them.
In this skillbuilder, students will review Langston Hughes' poem called "The Negro Speaks of Rivers” to examine its context, poetic techniques, and how it reflects the Harlem Renaissance.
In this lesson on the Harlem Renaissance, students explore this cultural rebirth by learning key vocabulary, key events, and individuals that made this an influental movement on American culture and the future Civil Rights Movement.
In this Windows & Mirrors mini-lesson, students wastch a video about Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem" and consider how the video is a window, a mirror, or both for them.
