The Harlem Renaissance was less of an event and more of an idea that took place in many northen cities other than Harlem. The idea of African Amercians staying close together came from continued social unfairness. Black idealist and renaissance leader Marcus Garvey promoted the idea of black people returning to Africa and Jamaica or wherever their ancestory was from. This idea came from the race riots of 1919 when some people determined that black people and white pepole would never be able to live together peacefully. This Back to Africa movement gained a ton of popularity with almost three million followers by the mid 1920’s. The reason that these pro black movements are associated with Harlem, is that Harlem was a center of mostly minority population in New York and because of that it was an ideal place to rally support for these movements.
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey was a renaissance leader who promoted the idea of all black Americans going back to their home countries.
Cultural Ties
One of many clubs and balrooms in Harlem that advertized mainly to African Americans.