How Did Gwendolyn Bennett and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Contribute to the Harlem Renaissance?

By: Camerone Bryant and Brittany Williams

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Born in Richmond, Virginia May 25, 1949 Bill “Bojangles” was born Luther Robinson Raised by his grandmother-Bedilia after the

death of both parents in 1885 Married 3 times Became famous amongst both black and

white audiences Drum major Began dancing at the age of 5 Quit school at the age of 7 to pursue his

dancing care

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Achieved great success as a night

club and musical comedy performer Best known for his Broadway

performances and film roles

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Rise to Fame

Became famous because ; Of his high levels of energy during

performances He joked and interacted with the audience He inserted various styles of steps while

he tapped danced such as skating steps and “jig”

“Jig” is a form of lively folk dancing He created new dance steps, like he did in

his famous “stair dance”.

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and the Harlem RennassainceBill “Bojangles” contributed to the Harlem

Renaissance by; Being a major attribute and influencing music

and theater Donating much all of his wealth to charities in

Harlem Co-founding the New York black Yankees

baseball team in Harlem Co-founding the Negro Actors Guild of

America-campaigned for the rights of black performers Help from is second wife-Frannie S. Clay-who was his assistant manager

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Died on Nov 25, 1949 from a chronic heart

condition In 1989, National tap dance day was put in

place for Bill “Bojangles” on the date of May 25-Bill’s birthday

Public Park in Harlem was named after Mr. Robinson in honor of his charity contributions

Modern Day Artist

Savion Glover Black tap dancer Actor Performed in broad way shows

• “Bring in Da Noise, Bring I Da Funk”

Gwendolyn Bennett

Born in Gibbings Texas on July 8th, 1902

Studied fine arts at Columbia University and Pratt Institute

Published short stories and various poems that focused on Blacks and their experiences in the U.S during her time

Gwendolyn Bennet

Became famous through many of her poems and short stories

Well known for her support groups and her encouragement of other artist and writers• In 1972, Gwendolyn formed a support

group with the goal of providing ideas for others with similar interest.

Gwendolyn’s Poem

QuatrainsBrushes and paints are all I have To speak the music in my

soul— While silently there laughs at me

A copper jar beside a pale green bowl.

How strange that grass should sing— Grass is so still a thing ...

And strange the swift surprise of snow

So soft it falls and slow.--Gwendolyn Bennett

Gwendolyn Bennett and the Harlem Ranaissance Gwendolyn Bennett contributed to the

Harlem Renaissance by; Using her poems to express her feelings and those of

the black c0mmunity Providing paintings that focused on culture

Modern Day Poet

Maya Angelou Written poems about the

expressed feelings of the black community

Joined the Harlem Writers Guild in the late 1950’s• Organization of black writers

that helps aid the works of other writers

Maya Angelou’s PoemYou may write me down in historyWith your bitter, twisted lies,You may trod me in the very dirtBut still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?Why are you beset with gloom?'Cause I walk like I've got oil wellsPumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,With the certainty of tides,Just like hopes springing high,Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?Bowed head and lowered eyes?Shoulders falling down like teardrops.Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?Don't you take it awful hard'Cause I laugh like I've got gold minesDiggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,You may cut me with your eyes,You may kill me with your hatefulness,But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?Does it come as a surpriseThat I dance like I've got diamondsAt the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shameI riseUp from a past that's rooted in painI riseI'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.Leaving behind nights of terror and fearI riseInto a daybreak that's wondrously clearI riseBringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,I am the dream and the hope of the slave.I riseI riseI rise. 

Works Cited

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. n.p. Bio.True Story. A+E Television Networks,LLC 1996-2013.n.d. web. March 17,2013. http://www.imdb.com

“Musical tap dance in the 2oth century”. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. N.p. n.d. web. March 15, 2013. Musical tap dance in the 2oth century”. Bill “Bojangles” Robinson http://musicaltap.weebly.com

“Savion Glover.biography”. Bio.True Story. A+E Networks. n.d. n.p. web. March 12, 2013. www.biography.com

Haas, Theresa. “Bennet, Gwendolyn B.” n.p. n.d.web. March 17, 2013. http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu

Bennet, Gwendolyn. “Quatrains”. Poets. Org; from the Academy of American p0ets. n.d. web. March 13, 2013. www.poets.org

Angelou, Maya. “Poem hunter.com.” Still I Rise. n.p. n.d. web. March 13, 2013.

“Little Colonel Bojangles Dance”. Youtube. Feb 28, 2010. web. March 16, 2013. www.youtube.com

“Savion Glover”. Youtube. June 3, 2009. web. March 15,2013. www.youtube.com