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