Langston Hughes
Langston hughes was born 1, 1902. He was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. Known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes was one of the first innovators of the new literary art form called jazzy poetry. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” became Hughes's signature poem. Which was collected in his first book of poetry The Weary Blues. Hughes was drawn to to the promise of communism as an alternative to a segregated America. Hughes died May 22, 1967.
Countee Cullen
Countee Cullen was born May 30, 1903. He was an American poet who was a leading figure along with Hughes. Cullen pronounced his name "Coun-tay," not "Coun-tee. Countee cullen was very secretive about his work. He was known to be a homosexual, and had a relationship with Harold Jackman, known as “the handsomest man in Harlem”. Cullen died January 9, 1946.