Phillis Wheatley

On Virtue

Phillis Wheatley (May 8, 1753 – December 5, 1784)was the first African-American poet and first African-American woman to publish a book. Born in Senegambia, she was sold into slavery at the age of 7 or 8 and transported to North America

On Virtue

O Thou bright jewel in my aim I strive
To comprehend thee. Thine own words declare
Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach.
I cease to wonder, and no more attempt
Thine height t' explore, or fathom thy profound.
But, O my soul, sink not into despair,
Virtue is near thee, and with gentle hand
Would now embrace thee, hovers o'er thine head.
Fain would the heav'n-born soul with her converse,
Then seek, then court her for her promis'd bliss.
Auspicious queen, thine heav'nly pinions spread,
And lead celestial Chastity along;
Lo! now her sacred retinue descends,
Array'd in glory from the orbs above.
Attend me, Virtue, thro' my youthful years!
O leave me not to the false joys of time!
But guide my steps to endless life and bliss.
Greatness, or Goodness, say what I shall call thee,
To give me an higher appellation still,
Teach me a better strain, a nobler lay,
O thou, enthron'd with Cherubs in the realms of day.

Phillis Wheatley

poemhunter |history

Jean Cocteau

Jean Cocteau, 1889-1963, Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau was a French poet, novelist, dramatist, designer, playwright, artist and filmmaker. Author: Abbott, Berenice, 1898-1991

Source: library.yale.edu/beinecke | Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Langston Hughes

Hughes in 1902

James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that "the negro was in vogue" which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue". 1936 photo by Carl Van Vechten

Source: wikipedia

Frank Silvera

Actor, director, producer, teacher, Frank Silvera aka Man of a Thousand Faces, (July 24, 1914 - June 11, 1970), young emerging actor, in the American Negro Theatre, during the early stages of his career in theatre, film and television. Due to his looks, ability to transcend color, race, his skill with language, the new nearly dead art of make-up, and perhaps the surname of Silvera, Frank moved into the new elite inner circles of the leading American Theatre groups, where he became an active member of the famed Actors' Studio of New York, a "spin-off" of the old Group Theatre, of the Thirties.

Frank Silvera in the film, "Hombre."

Frank Silvera in the film, "Viva Zapata." 

James Hughes

James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist,  novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry.

Source: editorialindependence

James Johnson

James Weldon Johnson (June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938) was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. James Johnson was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Johnson started the first black newspaper in the United States, The Daily American.

Source: blackpast | clipartguide

Barbara Chase-Riboud

Sculptor, painter, novelist, and poet, Barbara Chase-Riboud (born June 26, 1939 in Philadelphia) is both an internationally acclaimed visual artist and award-winning poet. c. 1966

Source: auntada |

Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee born October 27, 1924 is an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and activist.