The Harlem Renaissance was a social and artistic movement in the 1920s led by African American writers, artists, musicians, and thinkers. Black leaders recognized the need to produce great literature and art to establish a fully recognized Black culture. Works from this era reflected the experience of being Black in American society and culture through music, literature, and visual arts. The movement built upon new styles in poetry and found its voice in the short story and poem genres, celebrating Black traditions, racial pride, and survival in the face of oppression.