On March 21, 1924, a group of Black and white artists and intellectuals got together at New York’s Civic Club for a dinner party to celebrate author Jessie R. Fauset’s debut novel, “There is Confusion.” Organizers Charles S. Johnson and Alain Locke thought bringing these brilliant minds together, while generally unheard of would provide up and coming Black talent with opportunities they had never imagined.

And they were right. After that event, a creative movement known as the Harlem Renaissance began, inspiring over 40 works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry by Black writers that continue to be an important part of Black culture today.

These are the people who were influential in launching the Harlem Renaissance.