Celebrating Black History Month: Art and Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance

February 27, 2008. The American Corner at the UAE University hosted a presentation on “Art and Poetry of the Harlem Renaissance” on February 27, 2008, to commemorate Black History Month.  The speaker, Ms. Mara Andersen, Assistant Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy, lead a discussion of the historical origins of Black History Month and African Americans’ contributions to U.S. history.

Black History Month remembers and honors the millions of Black Americans who have contributed to the growth and development of the United States through their political, social and creative endeavors.  Harlem, a neighborhood of New York City, was a center for black culture during the early part of the 20th Century.  Writers, poets, musicians, painters and actors created a new American voice during the period known as the "Harlem Renaissance", from roughly 1900 through the 1930s. Their artistic legacy was the creative foundation of much of the jazz, rock and roll, theater and painting in America today.  UAE University faculty members and students attended the program.