Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City Burrough of Manhattan. It is a major African American cultural and business center.

One of the most frequently visited sites is the Maison des Esclaves (Slave House), a poignant reminder of Goreé's role as the center of West African slave trade.  Built by the Dutch in 1776, the slave house has been preserved in its original state.

During the early nineteen twenties it is estimated that more than 200,000 Negroes migrated to Harlem: West Indians, Africans and American Negroes from the cotton fields and cane brakes of the Deep South.

MALI SENEGAL

GHANA

Facts about Harlem Harlem has served as the home and key inspiration to

generations of novelists, poets, musicians, and actors.

Harlem has been home to a variety of ethnic group since the turn of the twentieth century. With the influx of different cultures and races important advances happened in theater, fiction, and music.

Called the most significant community in black America, the Harlem borough of New York City was both the cradle of a cultural revolution and the center of the civil rights movement.

In the early 1900s, particularly in the 1920s, African-American literature, art, music, dance, and social commentary began to flourish in Harlem. This African-

American cultural movement became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem Renaissance. More than a literary movement, the Harlem

Renaissance highlighted the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression. African-Americans were encouraged to celebrate

their heritage.

Harlem Renaissance

There were many African Americans that influenced history and gave the people hope that some day they would be able to live a life of equality. Langston

Hughes

John Arthur Johnson better known as Jack Johnson and nicknamed the "Galveston Giant", was an American boxer and arguably the best heavyweight of his generation. He was the first black Heavyweightt Champion of the World, 1908-1915. In a documentary about his life, Ken Burns said: "For more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous, and the most notorious African-American on Earth".[1]

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American jazz composer, pianist, and band leader who has been one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music.

The Apollo theater celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. It is referred to as the “Soul of American Culture.”

Since its opening, the Apollo has played host to many great acts. It was one of the first venues to host African American and Hispanic acts.

Many famous musicians “made it” at the playing the Apollo.

Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis, Jr., James Brown, Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, and Lauryn Hill are a few.

Famous Faces

Harlem has been home to many famous faces…

Let’s not forgot about the Harlem Globetrotters!

Created by Abe Saperstein in 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, the team adopted the name Harlem because of its connotations as a major African-American community. Over the years they have played more than 20,000 exhibition games in 118 countries.

W.D.M.• Harlem, as you already know, was the

home of Walter Dean Myers!