#langstonslegacy

Young Adult Authors Renée Watson & Jason Reynolds at the Langston Hughes House discussing why they write.

Author Tracey Baptiste talks about why preserving the legacy of Langston Hughes is important

We need this space because as Hughes gained success as an extraordinary poet, he remained unapologetic about being a Black man. He brought the viewpoint, language, and desires of Black people to everyone who read his poetry. In my field, children’s literature, there are more people being published writing about Black people and culture than there are Black authors and illustrators being published. Some outsider portrayals are stereotypical and downright racist. Hughes wrote about a culture he lived and loved. It’s a lesson for all of us to dig deeply into whatever culture we put on the page. That he did this work in this house makes it a treasure worth preserving.

We need this space because Harlem was not just a cultural hub, it was a place where people could live and be freely themselves, without the worry of racism they felt elsewhere. It is a tragedy that 100 years after Black people began to shape Harlem into a mecca, it is getting chipped away as a result of gentrification. It’s a matter of money—of not having the wherewithal to maintain our cultural spaces. Fortunately, this is one space we may be able to save. I am thrilled by the idea of young people learning to write in the same space that Hughes did his work. This project is about reclaiming both physical and creative space. Artistry is not only about having a place to learn and work, it’s also knowing there is freedom to create. The erasure of Black Harlem may come despite our best efforts with this space, but imagine artists having a space where they can create, and take that creativity anywhere. Gentrification may happen in Harlem, but this project is about making sure that gentrification doesn’t also happen in the hearts and minds of our artists.

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About Tracey Baptiste

Tracey Baptiste is the author of the middle grade fantasy novel The Jumbies (with a sequel coming soon), the contemporary YA novel Angel’s Grace and 9  non-fiction books for students in elementary through high school.

She is a former elementary school teacher and is on the faculty at Lesley University’s Creative Writing MFA program.

Author Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich shares her thoughts on why preserving #LangstonsLegacy is important

Hughes' collaborations with other writers, artists, musicians, and composers have an infinite creative legacy that we cannot lose. His work was art, it was education, it was activism.  I'm a native New Yorker who has struggled to stay in this city I love.  Langston Hughes' work, his stories and reflections on Harlem, were a huge part of my childhood. I'm grateful to people like Renée who are willing to take risks and responsibility for preserving and building on that legacy, and am so heartened to see the support that has developed around the project -- many people, of all races, ages, and experiences, see the need for it, and are willing to do whatever bit they can, which is very much in the spirit of Harlem.

In a very real sense, it brings hope for preserving the legacy of all of New York City as an artistic hub. As the city becomes more unaffordable, segregated, and corporate, artists suffer. Our culture suffers. The idea that Hughes' home can be a place to welcome artists from all over, to support their work, to share his work with emerging and marginalized artists, to inspire the next generation, to simply provide space for appreciation of Black artists and the arts -- it's a beautiful thing, an actual dream come true!

When I was young, my parents had a poster with a Marcus Garvey quote across the bottom that went something like: "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." Sometimes the development in Harlem very literally seems to be a violent uprooting of culture, of lives, leaving little or nothing behind. Many of us take for granted the knowledge of Harlem's rich history, and have an increasingly vague sense of the "Harlem Renaissance", but if we don't support community institutions like the Schomburg Library,  El Museo del Barrio, the Jazz museum, and, I hope, I, Too, Arts, we will be leaving our children without roots. We're in danger of destroying the creativity and innovation that made Harlem famous, of further marginalizing the very people that were integral to building Harlem into the legendary place it is today.  

I'm a parent, and feel deeply that as Black children and Black lives are increasingly disrespected and devalued, it's vital for us to educate our children about the beauty and power of our past, and what it can mean for our future. I'm holding fast to the dream that we'll value Langston Hughes' legacy. If we have love and respect for our ancestors, and love, respect, and hope for our children's lives, we'll do this.

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Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the author of Two Naomis and 8th Grade Superzero. She is member of The Brown Bookshelf, a web site dedicated to amplifying Black and Brown voices in children’s literature. She is also a member of We Need Diverse Books, a grassroots organization created to address the lack of diverse, non-majority narratives in children’s literature.

I, Too, Arts Collective: restoring & reclaiming the home of Langston Hughes

I, Too, Arts Collective is 10 days into our fundraising campaign. We’re so thankful for the support and generosity that’s been shown over the past two weeks. We wanted to shout out two supporters Karla Robinson and Dr. Ralleigh for their donation and encourage everyone to keep giving and spreading the word. We also want to share some “behind the scenes” moments with you. Yesterday we filmed our promotional video on the stoop of Langston’s brownstone. Poets, artists, educators, and community members came out to read poems and talk about why reclaiming this space is important. Stay tuned for the video & in the meantime, enjoy these clips and photos.

To find out more about I, Too, Arts Collective visit us HERE.

[video: poet Kamilah Aisha Moon]

Harlem by Langston Hughes

Listen to author Renée Watson talk about her nonprofit I, Too, Arts Collective and read an excerpt from her young adult novel, Piecing Me Together.

I, Too, Arts Collective is a nonprofit organization committed to nurturing voices from underrepresented communities in the creative arts. Our first major project is to provide a space for emerging and established artists in Harlem to create, connect, and showcase work. Our goal is to lease and renovate the brownstone where Langston Hughes lived in Harlem as a way to not only preserve his legacy but to build on it and impact young poets and artists.

We welcome you to join us in our endeavor. Visit us HERE to learn more about our campaign.

I, Too, Arts Collective invites you to join us in preserving #LangstonsLegacy. We are a nonprofit committed to nurturing voices from underrepresented communities in the creative arts. Our first major project is to provide a space for emerging and established artists in Harlem to create, connect, and showcase work. Our goal is to lease and renovate the brownstone where Langston Hughes lived in Harlem as a way to preserve his legacy, build on it and impact young poets and artists.