Celebrating Black History: 28 Days Highlighting Excellent Black Literature Contributors
Get to know the phenomenal Black writers featured during Black History Month (and beyond)!
Black History Month might be drawing to a close, but that doesn't mean we should stop celebrating the inspiring voices of Black authors who have shaped our society. In the spirit of honoring these incredible individuals, we've showcased 28 days of Black writers who have made their mark on history.
Find out below who made our list, and be sure to visit Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice at Vanderbilt University starting February 14 for a deeper dive into their works!
Writers Who've Shaped History
Pauli MurrayA multi-talented soul, Pauli Murray's writing greatly influenced the civil rights movement and the Supreme Court's decisions.
James BaldwinWith a pen as powerful as his words, James Baldwin spoke truth to power throughout the lengthy Civil Rights Movement, addressing race, gender, sexuality, and class.
Lorraine HansberryAs the first Black woman to have a play performed on Broadway, Lorraine Hansberry drew attention to the struggles faced by Black Americans during segregation and discrimination.
bell hooksTaking on the role of academician and professor, bell hooks delved into the complex ties between race, gender, and social class in American society.
Malcolm XReimagining the civil rights movement as a fight for human rights, Malcolm X motivated generations of Black Americans to take an active role in the pursuit of racial justice with his writing and speeches.
Nella LarsenDealing with the challenges of being a biracial woman in America, Nella Larsen penned novels and stories that reflected her unique experiences.
Ntozake ShangeNtozake Shange's groundbreaking 1975 theatre piece for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf brought the strength and courage of Black women to the Broadway stage.
Octavia E. ButlerInspired by science fiction books, comics, and films, Octavia E. Butler became the first Black woman to publish a science fiction novel.
Solomon NorthrupThrough his accounting of kidnapping and slavery, Solomon Northup painted vivid pictures of the daily lives of enslaved people, shedding important light on a sensitive and troubling time.
Ma RaineyMa Rainey, an early blues singer, brought her vibrant energy and soul to music, even though her contributions have often been downplayed by historians.
Zora Neale HurstonAnthropological studies underpinned Zora Neale Hurston's exploration of the breadth and depth of Black experiences.
Gil Scott-HeronFusing jazz, blues, rap, and soul, Gil Scott-Heron's music resonated with the experiences of Black Americans and spoke to the importance of community.
Gwendolyn BrooksOne of the most influential poets of the 20th century, Gwendolyn Brooks centered her poetry around her experience as a Black woman fighting for racial equality.
Frederick DouglassUsing his writing to challenge a world that often refused to acknowledge his humanity, Frederick Douglass transformed lives and perceptions.
Ida B. WellsInvestigative journalism exposed the brutal violence against African Americans during Ida B. Wells' time, as she documented the horrors of lynching.
Oscar MicheauxBreaking barriers as the first Black filmmaker, Oscar Micheaux sought to combat negative portrayals of Black people in popular media.
Richard WrightDescended from formerly enslaved people, Richard Wright challenged the whitewashed American Dream myth.
Toni MorrisonRace, identity, and the African American experience are central to Toni Morrison's profound literary works.
Ann PetryAnn Petry's unique perspective on the Black experience, gained from living in a New England town, found expression in her novel, The Street (1946), which went on to sell over a million copies.
August WilsonAugust Wilson's "Pittsburgh Cycle" depicted the lives of Black Americans throughout the 20th century, capturing their resilience and struggles.
Ethel PayneWith a storied career documenting important moments in American history, Ethel Payne, the First Lady of the Black Press, made the Chicago Defender a vital source of information for African Americans.
Ralph EllisonRalph Ellison explored the pain of belonging in a world that only sees individuals by the color of their skin.
W. E. B. Du BoisDespite being born in a free Black community, W. E. B. Du Bois witnessed the devastating effects of racism and Jim Crow laws first-hand. He dedicated his life to advocating for education and rights for African Americans.
James BrownKnown as the Hardest Working Man in Show Business, James Brown brought Black music to the masses and became a prominent figure in national politics during the 1960s and 1970s.
Sojourner TruthAs a former slave, Sojourner Truth bravely advocated for equal rights for women and African Americans, leaving an indelible mark on history.
Martin Luther King, Jr.Channeling inspiration from his faith, Martin Luther King Jr. led a nonviolent fight for racial equality and the economically disadvantaged.
Langston HughesLangston Hughes refused to separate his personal experiences from those of other Black Americans, using his poetry to express their joy and suffering.
Maya AngelouPassionately documenting her life through seven autobiographies, Maya Angelou offered powerful portrayals of Black women's experiences.
Journey deeper into "Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice"
Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice is an exhibit that delves into the works of over 100 Black writers who have fought for justice. This enlightening exhibit invites you to explore the courageous tales and portraits of these influential figures at Vanderbilt University beginning February 14.
Find even more Black writers to discover
If you can't get enough of these extraordinary individuals, check out the lists below featuring influential Black writers grouped by era. These time periods are further explored in Dark Testament, providing you with a fascinating journey though the history of Black literature.
From Slavery and Freedom (1850-1865)
Rooted in Black religious and folk traditions, African American literature of this time period took on a unique character. Notable figures of this era include:
- Jupiter Hammon
- Venture Smith
- Lucy Terry
- Olaudah Equiano
- Phillis Wheatley
- S
- David Walker
- George Moses Horton
- Sojourner Truth
- Maria W. Stewart
- Solomon Northup
- Martin R. Delany
- Harriet Jacobs
- William Wells Brown
- Henry Highland Garnet
- Victor Séjour
- Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley
- Frederick Douglass
- James M. Whitfield
- William Craft and Ellen Craft
- Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
- Harriet E. Wilson
- Hannah Crafts (Hannah Bond)
From Reconstruction to Jim Crow (1865-1919)
Writers during this period sought to emphasize the historical contributions of Black people to the United States. Notable figures of this era include:
- Nicholas Said
- Charlotte Forten Grimké
- Booker T. Washington
- Charles W. Chesnutt
- Anna Julia Cooper
- Pauline E. Hopkins
- Ida B. Wells-Barnett
- W. E. B. Du Bois
- James D. Corrothers
- James Weldon Johnson
- Paul Laurence Dunbar
- Alice Moore Dunbar Nelson
- William Stanley Braithwaite
- Fenton Johnson
Harlem Renaissance (1919-1940)
This era saw the birth of literature and art that challenged Jim Crow and segregation from multicultural perspectives. Notable figures of this period include:
- Arthur A. Schomburg
- Angelina Weld Grimké
- Anne Spencer
- Hubert Harrison
- Jessie Redmon Fauset
- Alain Locke
- Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Marcus Garvey
- René Maran
- Claude McKay
- Zora Neale Hurston
- Nella Larsen
- Jean Toomer
- George Samuel Schuyler
- Rudolph Fisher
- Eric Walrond
- Paul Robeson
- Marita Bonner
- Sterling A. Brown
- Gwendolyn B. Bennett
- Wallace Thurman
- Langston Hughes
- Nicolás Guillén
- Countee Cullen
- Richard Bruce Nugent
- Helene Johnson
Defiance, Conflict, and Integration (1940-1960)
Many writers of this period sought to confront the problems of their time with varying approaches. Notable figures of this era include:
- Melvin B. Tolson
- Dorothy West
- Richard Wright
- Chester B. Himes
- Ann Petry
- Alice Childress
- Robert Hayden
- Ralph Ellison
- Margaret Walker
- Gwendolyn Brooks
- James Baldwin
- Bob Kaufman
- Lorraine Hansberry
Civil Rights & The Black Arts Era (1960-1975)
Both the Black Arts and Civil Rights Eras were characterized by constant growth and invention as contributors drew inspiration from their predecessors. Notable figures of this period include:
- Mari Evans
- Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz)
- John Alfred Williams
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Raymond Patterson
- Etheridge Knight
- Adrienne Kennedy
- Calvin Hernton
- Audre Lorde
- Henry Dumas
- Amiri Baraka
- Sonia Sanchez
- Ed Bullins
- Eldridge Cleaver
- A.B. Spellman
- June Jordan
- Jayne Cortez
- Larry Neal
- Ishmael Reed
- Michael S. Harper
- Toni Cade Bambara
- Carolyn M. Rodgers
- Haki R. Madhubuti
- David Henderson
- Nikki Giovanni
- James Alan McPherson
- Amus Mor
- James T. Stewart
Dive into Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice to learn even more about these incredible Black writers and their profound impact on our history!
- The featured writers during Black History Month contribute to various genres, including lifestyle, education and self-development, personal growth, career development, fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, pop-culture, science-fiction-and-fantasy, and skills-training.
- One of these notable writers is Pauli Murray, who's influenced civil rights movement and Supreme Court's decisions on lifestyle and justice issues.
- Malcolm X advocated for human rights and encouraged active involvement in the pursuit of racial justice – a powerful voice in career development and personal growth.
- Nella Larsen, a biracial writer, penned novels and stories that reflected her unique experiences, offering insights into fashion-and-beauty, education and self-development, and personal growth.
- Octavia E. Butler is renowned for being the first Black woman to publish a science-fiction novel, contributing to the entertainment and learning realm with her innovative works.
- To continue learning about Black authors and their inspiring works, explore the lists featuring influential Black writers grouped by era – a journey through the history of Black literature rich in fashion-and-beauty, education, personal growth, career development, entertainment, pop-culture, science-fiction-and-fantasy, and skills-training.
