The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement that blossomed in the 1920s, centered in Harlem, New York. This movement significantly enriched African American culture, expressing the complexities of Black identity and experiences through literature, music, art, and performance. Influential figures such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington emerged during this period, helping to shape a new cultural identity with pride and empowerment. The Harlem Renaissance laid the groundwork for future civil rights advocacy and challenged prevailing racial stereotypes, affirmatively celebrating African American contributions to American society.