Harlem Renaissance Lessons: People & Places | Harlem Roots Lessons

Harlem Renaissance

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (ASL100)

Told as a child that Black people had no history worth knowing, Arturo Schomburg spent his entire life proving that wrong. The Puerto Rican-born scholar and collector built an archive that became the cornerstone of Black cultural memory in America — and the foundation of Harlem's world-renowned Schomburg Center.

$5.00 USD

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (ASL200)

Told as a child that Black people had no history worth knowing, Arturo Schomburg spent his entire life proving that wrong. The Puerto Rican-born scholar and collector built an archive that became the cornerstone of Black cultural memory in America — and the foundation of Harlem's world-renowned Schomburg Center.

$6.00 USD

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (ASL300)

Told as a child that Black people had no history worth knowing, Arturo Schomburg spent his entire life proving that wrong. The Puerto Rican-born scholar and collector built an archive that became the cornerstone of Black cultural memory in America — and the foundation of Harlem's world-renowned Schomburg Center.

$6.00 USD

Billie Holiday (BHL100)

Her voice carried pain, beauty, and defiance in equal measure. Billie Holiday didn't just sing the blues — she lived them, and transformed them into something transcendent. From Harlem's jazz clubs to the most controversial song in American music, explore the life of jazz's most soulful and courageous voice.

$5.00 USD

Billie Holiday (BHL200)

Her voice carried pain, beauty, and defiance in equal measure. Billie Holiday didn't just sing the blues — she lived them, and transformed them into something transcendent. From Harlem's jazz clubs to the most controversial song in American music, explore the life of jazz's most soulful and courageous voice.

$6.00 USD

Billie Holiday (BHL300)

Her voice carried pain, beauty, and defiance in equal measure. Billie Holiday didn't just sing the blues — she lived them, and transformed them into something transcendent. From Harlem's jazz clubs to the most controversial song in American music, explore the life of jazz's most soulful and courageous voice.

$6.00 USD

Duke Ellington (DEL100)

Sophisticated. Swinging. Absolutely unstoppable. Duke Ellington didn't just play jazz — he elevated it into an American art form. From his legendary residency at the Cotton Club to concert halls around the world, explore how the Duke built his empire and became the most elegant voice of a generation.

$5.00 USD

Duke Ellington (DEL200)

Sophisticated. Swinging. Absolutely unstoppable. Duke Ellington didn't just play jazz — he elevated it into an American art form. From his legendary residency at the Cotton Club to concert halls around the world, explore how the Duke built his empire and became the most elegant voice of a generation.

$6.00 USD

Duke Ellington (DEL300)

Sophisticated. Swinging. Absolutely unstoppable. Duke Ellington didn't just play jazz — he elevated it into an American art form. From his legendary residency at the Cotton Club to concert halls around the world, explore how the Duke built his empire and became the most elegant voice of a generation.

$6.00 USD

Ella Fitzgerald (EFL100)

She walked onto the Apollo stage as a nervous teenager and never looked back. With a voice of impossible range and warmth, Ella Fitzgerald became the greatest jazz vocalist the world has ever heard. Discover the remarkable journey of the girl from the streets who redefined what a human voice could do.

$5.00 USD

Ella Fitzgerald (EFL200)

She walked onto the Apollo stage as a nervous teenager and never looked back. With a voice of impossible range and warmth, Ella Fitzgerald became the greatest jazz vocalist the world has ever heard. Discover the remarkable journey of the girl from the streets who redefined what a human voice could do.

$6.00 USD

Ella Fitzgerald (EFL300)

She walked onto the Apollo stage as a nervous teenager and never looked back. With a voice of impossible range and warmth, Ella Fitzgerald became the greatest jazz vocalist the world has ever heard. Discover the remarkable journey of the girl from the streets who redefined what a human voice could do.

$6.00 USD

Eubie Blake (EBL100)

Eubie Blake was playing ragtime before most people knew the word — and he never stopped. As the co-creator of Shuffle Along, the first major Broadway musical written and performed by Black artists, Blake opened doors that had never been cracked before. Explore a life that spanned nearly a century of American music.

$5.00 USD

Eubie Blake (EBL200)

Eubie Blake was playing ragtime before most people knew the word — and he never stopped. As the co-creator of Shuffle Along, the first major Broadway musical written and performed by Black artists, Blake opened doors that had never been cracked before. Explore a life that spanned nearly a century of American music.

$6.00 USD

Eubie Blake (EBL300)

Eubie Blake was playing ragtime before most people knew the word — and he never stopped. As the co-creator of Shuffle Along, the first major Broadway musical written and performed by Black artists, Blake opened doors that had never been cracked before. Explore a life that spanned nearly a century of American music.

$6.00 USD

Florence Mills (FML100)

She was the toast of Harlem, Broadway, and London's West End — and most people today have never heard her name. Florence Mills was the dazzling singer and dancer who defined the Harlem Renaissance at its height. Discover the luminous talent whose life was cut tragically short, and whose legacy deserves to shine again.

$5.00 USD

Florence Mills (FML200)

She was the toast of Harlem, Broadway, and London's West End — and most people today have never heard her name. Florence Mills was the dazzling singer and dancer who defined the Harlem Renaissance at its height. Discover the luminous talent whose life was cut tragically short, and whose legacy deserves to shine again.

$6.00 USD

Florence Mills (FML300)

She was the toast of Harlem, Broadway, and London's West End — and most people today have never heard her name. Florence Mills was the dazzling singer and dancer who defined the Harlem Renaissance at its height. Discover the luminous talent whose life was cut tragically short, and whose legacy deserves to shine again.

$6.00 USD

Harlem Hellfigthers (HHL100)

They were undefeated in battle and denied basic rights at home. The 369th Infantry Regiment — the Harlem Hellfighters — fought for a country that wouldn't fully claim them, earning France's highest military honor. Discover the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of one of America's greatest fighting units.

$5.00 USD

Harlem Hellfigthers (HHL200)

They were undefeated in battle and denied basic rights at home. The 369th Infantry Regiment — the Harlem Hellfighters — fought for a country that wouldn't fully claim them, earning France's highest military honor. Discover the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of one of America's greatest fighting units.

$6.00 USD

Harlem Hellfigthers (HHL300)

They were undefeated in battle and denied basic rights at home. The 369th Infantry Regiment — the Harlem Hellfighters — fought for a country that wouldn't fully claim them, earning France's highest military honor. Discover the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of one of America's greatest fighting units.

$6.00 USD

Jackie "Moms" Mabley (JMML100)

Decades before anyone called it stand-up comedy, Moms Mabley was owning the stage at the Apollo and leaving audiences in stitches. Sharp-tongued, warm-hearted, and wickedly wise, she broke barriers for Black women in entertainment — one perfectly timed punchline at a time. Discover the comedian who was ahead of everyone.

$5.00 USD

Jackie "Moms" Mabley (JMML200)

Decades before anyone called it stand-up comedy, Moms Mabley was owning the stage at the Apollo and leaving audiences in stitches. Sharp-tongued, warm-hearted, and wickedly wise, she broke barriers for Black women in entertainment — one perfectly timed punchline at a time. Discover the comedian who was ahead of everyone.

$6.00 USD

Jackie "Moms" Mabley (JMML300)

Decades before anyone called it stand-up comedy, Moms Mabley was owning the stage at the Apollo and leaving audiences in stitches. Sharp-tongued, warm-hearted, and wickedly wise, she broke barriers for Black women in entertainment — one perfectly timed punchline at a time. Discover the comedian who was ahead of everyone.

$6.00 USD

Marcus Garvey (MGL100)

Long before the modern civil rights movement, Marcus Garvey was preaching Black pride, Black unity, and Black self-determination from the streets of Harlem. The Jamaican-born founder of the UNIA built the largest Black mass movement in history. Discover the visionary — and controversial — leader who told a people to believe in themselves.

$5.00 USD

Marcus Garvey (MGL200)

Long before the modern civil rights movement, Marcus Garvey was preaching Black pride, Black unity, and Black self-determination from the streets of Harlem. The Jamaican-born founder of the UNIA built the largest Black mass movement in history. Discover the visionary — and controversial — leader who told a people to believe in themselves.

$6.00 USD

Marcus Garvey (MGL300)

Long before the modern civil rights movement, Marcus Garvey was preaching Black pride, Black unity, and Black self-determination from the streets of Harlem. The Jamaican-born founder of the UNIA built the largest Black mass movement in history. Discover the visionary — and controversial — leader who told a people to believe in themselves.

$6.00 USD

Marian Anderson (MAL100)

When the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing in their hall, she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for 75,000 people instead. Discover Marian Anderson — the contralto whose voice was called "a gift from God" and whose courage helped crack the walls of American segregation.

$5.00 USD

Marian Anderson (MAL300)

When the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing in their hall, she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for 75,000 people instead. Discover Marian Anderson — the contralto whose voice was called "a gift from God" and whose courage helped crack the walls of American segregation.

$6.00 USD

Marian Anderson (MAL200)

When the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing in their hall, she sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for 75,000 people instead. Discover Marian Anderson — the contralto whose voice was called "a gift from God" and whose courage helped crack the walls of American segregation.

$6.00 USD

Paul Robeson (PRL100)

Paul Robeson was an All-American athlete, a Shakespearean actor, a world-renowned concert bass, and an unapologetic activist for human rights — and the U.S. government stripped him of his passport for it. Discover one of the most gifted, principled, and ruthlessly suppressed figures in the history of American culture.

$5.00 USD

Paul Robeson (PRL200)

Paul Robeson was an All-American athlete, a Shakespearean actor, a world-renowned concert bass, and an unapologetic activist for human rights — and the U.S. government stripped him of his passport for it. Discover one of the most gifted, principled, and ruthlessly suppressed figures in the history of American culture.

$6.00 USD

Paul Robeson (PRL300)

Paul Robeson was an All-American athlete, a Shakespearean actor, a world-renowned concert bass, and an unapologetic activist for human rights — and the U.S. government stripped him of his passport for it. Discover one of the most gifted, principled, and ruthlessly suppressed figures in the history of American culture.

$6.00 USD

Robert Abbott (ROAL100)

With one boldly written newspaper, Robert Abbott helped ignite the Great Migration — persuading hundreds of thousands of Black Southerners to head North in search of a better life. Discover the visionary founder of the Chicago Defender, whose pages carried news, pride, and the promise of a freer America.

$5.00 USD

Robert Abbott (ROAL200)

With one boldly written newspaper, Robert Abbott helped ignite the Great Migration — persuading hundreds of thousands of Black Southerners to head North in search of a better life. Discover the visionary founder of the Chicago Defender, whose pages carried news, pride, and the promise of a freer America.

$6.00 USD

Robert Abbott (ROAL300)

With one boldly written newspaper, Robert Abbott helped ignite the Great Migration — persuading hundreds of thousands of Black Southerners to head North in search of a better life. Discover the visionary founder of the Chicago Defender, whose pages carried news, pride, and the promise of a freer America.

$6.00 USD

Romare Bearden (RBL100)

From scraps of paper, magazine clippings, and a lifetime of memory, Romare Bearden built an entire world. Explore how Harlem's master collagist stitched together the textures of Black life — jazz rhythms, spiritual longing, community, and joy — into some of the most powerful and original art of the 20th century.

$5.00 USD

Romare Bearden (RBL200)

From scraps of paper, magazine clippings, and a lifetime of memory, Romare Bearden built an entire world. Explore how Harlem's master collagist stitched together the textures of Black life — jazz rhythms, spiritual longing, community, and joy — into some of the most powerful and original art of the 20th century.

$6.00 USD

Romare Bearden (RBL300)

From scraps of paper, magazine clippings, and a lifetime of memory, Romare Bearden built an entire world. Explore how Harlem's master collagist stitched together the textures of Black life — jazz rhythms, spiritual longing, community, and joy — into some of the most powerful and original art of the 20th century.

$6.00 USD

Savoy Ballroom (SavoyL100)

From 1926 to 1958, the Savoy Ballroom on Lenox Avenue was the hottest address in Harlem — and one of the first racially integrated public spaces in New York City. It's where the Lindy Hop was born and swing took flight. Discover the legendary dance hall that made Harlem the rhythm capital of the world.

$5.00 USD

Savoy Ballroom (SavoyL200)

From 1926 to 1958, the Savoy Ballroom on Lenox Avenue was the hottest address in Harlem — and one of the first racially integrated public spaces in New York City. It's where the Lindy Hop was born and swing took flight. Discover the legendary dance hall that made Harlem the rhythm capital of the world.

$6.00 USD

Savoy Ballroom (SavoyL300)

From 1926 to 1958, the Savoy Ballroom on Lenox Avenue was the hottest address in Harlem — and one of the first racially integrated public spaces in New York City. It's where the Lindy Hop was born and swing took flight. Discover the legendary dance hall that made Harlem the rhythm capital of the world.

$6.00 USD

Thelonious Monk (TML100)

Mysterious. Completely undeniable. Thelonious Monk didn't just play notes — he reimagined the very logic of how jazz could move and think. Explore the life of Harlem's most original musical genius, whose unconventionalharmonies and rhythms still puzzle first-time listeners and thrill jazz lovers around the world.

$5.00 USD

Thelonious Monk (TML200)

Mysterious. Completely undeniable. Thelonious Monk didn't just play notes — he reimagined the very logic of how jazz could move and think. Explore the life of Harlem's most original musical genius, whose unconventionalharmonies and rhythms still puzzle first-time listeners and thrill jazz lovers around the world.

$6.00 USD

Thelonious Monk (TML300)

Mysterious. Completely undeniable. Thelonious Monk didn't just play notes — he reimagined the very logic of how jazz could move and think. Explore the life of Harlem's most original musical genius, whose unconventionalharmonies and rhythms still puzzle first-time listeners and thrill jazz lovers around the world.

$6.00 USD

Will Marion Cook (WCL100)

Will Marion Cook broke into the world of American music through sheer talent, relentless determination, and defiant pride. A classically trained composer who refused to be boxed in, he mentored a young Duke Ellington and helped bring African American music to the concert stage. Discover the trailblazer history nearly forgot.

$5.00 USD

Will Marion Cook (WCL200)

Will Marion Cook broke into the world of American music through sheer talent, relentless determination, and defiant pride. A classically trained composer who refused to be boxed in, he mentored a young Duke Ellington and helped bring African American music to the concert stage. Discover the trailblazer history nearly forgot.

$6.00 USD

Will Marion Cook (WCL300)

Will Marion Cook broke into the world of American music through sheer talent, relentless determination, and defiant pride. A classically trained composer who refused to be boxed in, he mentored a young Duke Ellington and helped bring African American music to the concert stage. Discover the trailblazer history nearly forgot.

$6.00 USD

William Henry Johnson (WHJL100)

One of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I, William Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment fought off a German raiding party single-handedly — wounded and out of ammunition. France awarded him the Croix de Guerre. America made him wait nearly a century for the Medal of Honor he deserved. Discover his extraordinary story.

$5.00 USD

William Henry Johnson (WHJL200)

One of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I, William Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment fought off a German raiding party single-handedly — wounded and out of ammunition. France awarded him the Croix de Guerre. America made him wait nearly a century for the Medal of Honor he deserved. Discover his extraordinary story.

$6.00 USD

William Henry Johnson (WHJL300)

One of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I, William Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment fought off a German raiding party single-handedly — wounded and out of ammunition. France awarded him the Croix de Guerre. America made him wait nearly a century for the Medal of Honor he deserved. Discover his extraordinary story.

$6.00 USD