Major Literary Publications of the Harlem Renaissance

Major Literary Publications of the Harlem Renaissance The Harlem Renaissance is a period in American History marked by an explosion of expression by African-American and Caribbean writers, visual artists and musicians. Established and supported by organizations such as the  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Urban League (NUL), Harlem Renaissance artists explored themes such as legacy, racism, oppression, alienation, rage, hope and pride through the creation of novels, essays, plays, and poetry. In its 20-year spanfrom 1917 to 1937Harlem Renaissance writers created an authentic voice for African-Americans that showed their humanity and desire for equality in United States society. 1917 Asa Philip Randolph and Chandler Owen co-found the political and literary magazine, The Messenger. 1919 Writer and educator Jessie Redmon Fauset  becomes the literary editor of the NAACPs publication, The Crisis. 1922 Claude McKay publishes his first volume of poetry, Harlem Shadows. The collection is considered the first major text of the Harlem Renaissance.James Weldon Johnsons anthology, Book of American Negro Poetry, is published.​ 1923 Jean Toomers Cane is published.The NUL establishes the journal, Opportunity. Charles S. Johnson serves as the journals editor. 1924 As editor of Opportunity, Johnson hosts a dinner at the Civic Club in New York City. This dinner is considered the official launching of the Harlem Renaissance. 1925 The literary magazine, Survey Graphic, publishes a special issue, Harlem: Mecca of the New Negro. The issue is edited by Alain Locke.Color, Countee Cullens first collection of poetry is published. 1926 Locke edits the anthology, The New Negro. The collection is an expanded version of Survey Graphics, Harlem issue.Langston Hughes publishes his first book of poetry, The Weary Blues.The short-lived literary and artistic magazine, Fire!! is published. Hughes, Wallace Thurman, Zora Neale Hurston, Aaron Douglas and Richard Bruce Nugent are founding editors of the magazine.White writer Carl Van Vechten publishes Nigger Heaven. 1927 James Weldon Johnsons collection of poems, Gods Trombones, inspired by sermons of African-American preachers is published. 1928 McKay publishes his first novel, Home to Harlem. The text becomes the first bestselling novel by an African-American author. 1929 Thurman publishes his first novel, The Blacker the Berry. 1930 Hughes novel, Not Without Laughter, is published.Journalist George Schuyler publishes the satirical novel, Black No More. 1932   Sterling Browns  collection of poetry, Southern Road, is published. 1933 Public Works Administration (PWA) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) are established. Both agencies provide jobs to many African-American artists, such as Hurston. 1937 Hurstons second novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is published. The novel is considered the last novel of the Harlem Renaissance.