Gwendolyn B. Bennett (July 8, 1902 – May 30, 1981) was an American artist, writer, and journalist who contributed to Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life, which chronicled cultural advancements during the Harlem Renaissance.
One of her contributions to the Harlem Renaissance was her literary acclaimed short novel Poets Evening; it helped the understanding within the African-American communities, resulting in many African Americans coming to terms with identifying and accepting themselves.
In 1906, when Bennett was four years old, her family moved to 1454 T Street NW, Washington D.C.,[2] so Joshua could study law at Howard University and Mayme could train to be a beautician.
[4] While attending Girls' High, Bennett was awarded first place in a school wide art contest, and was the first African American to join the literary and dramatic societies.
[7] In 1924, her poem "To Usward" was chosen as a dedication for the introduction of Jessie Fauset's novel There Is Confusion at a Civic Club dinner hosted by Charles S.
[1][8] Bennett graduated from Columbia and Pratt in 1924 and received a position at Howard University, where she taught design, watercolor painting and crafts.
[10] During her studies in Paris, Bennett worked with a variety of materials, including watercolor, oil, woodcuts, pen and ink, and batik,[11] which was the beginning of her career as a graphic artist.
[4] Bennett was a prominent figure and best known for the poetry and writing she produced that had a direct influential impact on the motives and essence of the Harlem Renaissance.
Some ideologies that her works brought into perspective include the emphasis of Racial pride and the reminiscence of African values, such as music and dance.
[17] To keep updated with news, Bennett counted on her network contacts to foster the thriving and diverse environment that the Harlem Renaissance had to offer.
[1] Bennett found ways to influence and contribute to her community without even publishing her own assemblage of poetic and literary works, including fostering young talent and serving on the editorial board of Fire!!.
[19] Bennett admired African-American artists and they made her feel proud to be part of that community, despite experiencing judgement from whites in the past.
Over a period of eight years, some of the most famous Harlem Renaissance figures, such as Wallace Thurman and Langston Hughes met up in these groups and produced significant works as a result.
[1] During this time, she was active on the board of the Negro Playwright's Guild and involved with the development of the George Washington Carver Community School.
[27] Bennett's poems appeared in journals and collections published during the Harlem Renaissance: The Crisis, Opportunity, William Stanley Braithwaite's Anthology of Magazine Verse (1927), Yearbook of American Poetry (1927), Countee Cullen's Caroling Dusk (1927), and James Weldon Johnson's The Book of American Negro Poetry (1931).