African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Chinua Achebe
This site includes a brief biography of Achebe, the video [9:13] "Nigerian Writer Chinua Achebe on CNN's 'African Voices'" and links to 17 of his books.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: James Baldwin
James Baldwin is presented in this biography as a great African American contributor to the literary world during the civil rights movement. See "James Baldwin Activities" for more information.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: The Legacy of Zora Neale Hurston
Examine Zora Neale Hurston's lifelong commitment to African American literature and cultural preservation.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Langston Hughes: Hughes's Life and Career
Lengthy, detailed biography of Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, from the Oxford Companion to African American Literature.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Ralph Ellison
Author Ralph Ellison is presented in this biography for his contributions to African American literature. See "Ralph Ellison Activities" for further information.
Eserver
E Server: Anti Slavery Literature Project
The Antislavery Literature Project is a collaborative electronic publishing venture that provides educational access to the literature and history of the antislavery movement in the United States that is crucial to understanding African...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: The Image of Africa in the Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
Overview of African Americans and their relationship to Africa. a myth which was embraced by the Harlem Renaissance.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: John Henrik Clarke
This site focuses on the historian John Henrik Clarke including a biography, the full video of "John Henrik Clarke: A Great and Mighty Walk" [134:00], and links to ten of his books.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Shay Youngblood
This site includes a brief biography of Shay YoungBlood, a video clip [5:34] of "Shay Youngblood reading from Black Girl in Paris at the Dent" and links to three of her works.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Jean Toomer
A biography of Jean Toomer and links to two editions of his book Cane.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Ann Petry
This site focuses on Ann Petry including a short biography, the video [10:12] "Ann Petry and Harlem's History" and links to seven of her literary works.
Digital History
Digital History: American Ethnic Literature
Educated white men weren't the only ones contributing to a truly American literature. Read about the literature written by Native Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Irish Americans. All added to the melting pot of...
PBS
Pbs: Literature & Life: Voices of the People
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...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Claude Mc Kay
This is a succinct biography of Claude McKay, infamous Harlem Renaissance poet who expressed the need for the African American community in America to speak out against racism. See "Claude McKay Activities" for related materials.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Gwendolyn Brooks, Biography
Detailed account of the writer's life. Contains references to contemporaries, influences and motivations in her career.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Anne Spencer
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Zora Neale Hurston
Zora Neale Hurston is featured in this biography highlighting her literary contributions which focused on African Americans as whole people, celebrating their heritage, in an era when black authors tended to write about their...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Writing, Making of African American Identity: V. 3
Articles that examine the goals of black literature. It primarily focuses on the advent of the New Negro Movement and critics assertion that black writing should abandon its explicit social and political purposes in favor of more...
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Mirandy and Brother Wind by Mc Kissack
Mirandy and Brother Wind by Patricia C. McKissack is a Caldecott Honor Book, based on the cakewalk, a once popular dance in the African-American culture. This site contains a review of the book.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, an African-American slave, is featured for her neoclassical poetry of pre-nineteenth century America. Click on "Phillis Wheatley Activities" for more resources.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Regional Realism: Charles W. Chesnutt
This resource focuses on realist author Charles W. Chesnutt and his manner of portraying African American characters in the South during the late nineteenth century. See "Charles W. Chesnutt Activities" for related resources.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Harlem Renaissance
Extensive information about the Harlem Renaissance, a period of time considered to be the cultural awakening of African Americans. Included are sections on poetry, fiction, and drama, as well as the legacy of this movement.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: 10th Grade Literature and Composition: Traditions
This is a unit on the traditional wisdom of various cultures handed down through fables, fairy tales, folklore, and proverbs. It includes readings from Aesop's Fables, African and African-American Folktales, Hans Christian Andersen's...