The Photos of James Van Der Zee Told the Story of a Growing Harlem

This photographer captured the middle class people of Harlem with his pictures.

by Rich Watson 

James Van Der Zee was a portrait photographer in Harlem during a time in America when blacks migrated north, to Washington, DC and Philadelphia, and west, to Detroit and Chicago, to escape the racism of the south and gain a better standard of living. New York, and Harlem, was the major destination for many. 

Van Der Zee was there to capture them on film.

Five Spots in Langston Hughes’ Harlem

This legendary writer from the twenties loved Harlem. Here are five spots associated with him and his era.

by Rich Watson 

The Harlem Renaissance of the twenties was a time of growth for black artisans of many stripes. Langston Hughes was one of the biggest. The writer connected with various like-minded intellectuals to share their views on African-American culture and the future of black society in general.

Harlem was ground zero for this movement.

Ray Stevens and His “Streak” of Success

Boogity boogity! The tale of the bizarre college fad that went mainstream and the singer who rode it to the top of the charts.

by Rich Watson 

Ray Stevens is a country singer who has a history of novelty songs in addition to more straightforward material. He worked with and wrote for some of the top names in country music, and won Grammys. For a brief time, he even had a TV show.

During the height of his fame, he had an improbable number-one hit song about an even more improbable fad: streaking.