Langston Hughes was the unofficial poet laureate of Black American life and culture, a radical democrat at the center of the Harlem Renaissance, jazz/blues lyrical poet, humorous storyteller, political playwright, passionate advocate of African American pride, civil rights and artistic freedom. He lived and wrote in a brownstone at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem for the last 20 years of his life, and his biographer Arnold Rampersad has quoted him saying “I would rather have a kitchenette in Harlem than a mansion in Westchester.”
Now comes word that his house, declared a landmark 26 years ago, is being transformed into a cultural center, with music studios, performance and gallery spaces, a collection of Hughes memorabilia, and a lively calendar of events including a poetry open mike. Bravo!
from Associated Press (reposted at Harlem One Stop):
“Home of poet Langston Hughes gets its own Harlem Renaissance,” by Marcus Franklin
“Now, four decades after Hughes last drew inspiration from the house and from his muse Harlem, a musician, a music producer and a music executive are transforming the brownstone into performance and gallery space, recording studios, and an overall incubator of creativity for musicians, poets and other artists—all while paying homage to the literary giant.”
More on Langston Hughes:
Biographical Profile of Hughes
Books by Langston Hughes
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