Join us in celebrating three African American literary giants of the Harlem Renaissance – James Weldon Johnson, Paul Lawrence Dunbar and Langston Hughes, with a public reading of their works Saturday, June 9th and Sunday June 10th. We’re weaving the best of their writings together to present an oral tapestry of poetry and prose.
James Weldon Johnson, born in Jacksonville Florida during Reconstruction, became the Chief Executive Officer of the NAACP in 1920. A prolific writer, educator and U.S. diplomat. James Weldon Johnson is known for his novel The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse, and his books of poetry.
Paul Lawrence Dunbar was also born during the era of Reconstruction in Dayton Ohio, and died right before his 34th birthday. Lauded as one of the most prolific writers of his time, Dunbar published 4 novels, 4 books of short stories and poems, and essays in several American magazines. Dunbar, known for his use of African American dialect in his writings, is also known for the diversity of his works, including the lyrics of the first all-African American musical comedy “In Dahomey” produced on Broadway in 1903.
Langston Hughes may be considered the most well-known of our trio of Harlem Renaissance writers. Born February 1, 1902 in Joplin Missouri, Hughes is known as an innovator of “jazz poetry.” Jess B. Semple is the main character of several of his books, and his life to told through the linking of several short stories.
Admission: $5.00 donation. For more information contact: Vanessa Abernathy at The Stage on 910-535-8088.