The black pride movement in America was fueled in large part by writers.   African American poets, writers, authors, lyricists, musicians and the like were instrumental in perpetuating the views and ideals of black pride.

The first ever book published by an African American was a collection of poems by Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784).   Phillis Wheatley was a slave child sold to the Wheatley family in 1761.   In that time it was extremely uncommon for women to be published, or slaves to be educated at all.   But Phillis Wheatley, with the support of her friends and family, learned to read and write.   Her first poem was published at the age of 12, “On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin”.   Phillis Wheatley appeared before General Washington for her poems, and was a strong supporter of independence during the Revolutionary War.   She felt slavery was the issue that separated whites from true heroism.   Wheatley wrote, “whites can not “hope to find/Deivine acceptance with th’ Almighty mind” when “they disgrace/And hold in bondage Afric’s blameless race.”

Mayme Clayton, a Los Angeles librarian and historian amassed an extensive and valuable collection of Black Americana and writing, including a signed copy of the first book published by an African American, a collection of poems by Phillis Wheatley.   Her words were very inspiring for the black pride movement, almost 3 centuries ago.

Dr. Maya Angelou (1928-) is one of the greatest Renaissance women.   Maya Angelou’s autobiographical “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is the first non-fiction work by an African American woman to make the best-seller list.   Angelou is truly one of the greatest voices in contemporary literature in the eyes of many looking for black pride.   Angelou is a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director; and she continues to travel the world, spreading her legendary wisdom and thoughts on black pride.   Dr. Maya Angelou captivates audiences through the rhythm of her poetry, elegance of her prose, and beauty of her words and lyrics.

Alain Locke (1886-1954), a writer, philosopher and intellectual, was the first African-American Rhodes Scholar.   A strong supporter of black arts and black pride, Locke wrote about the Harlem Renaissance in The New Negro c.1925.

A good deal of the Negro Spirituals were songs that had been passed down from generation to generation of African American slaves.   Lyrics, poems, poetry, songs, writing (both written and verbal ideas) all played a part in furthering the ideals of black pride.   Writing about black pride, and showing African Americans the great and wonderfully rich history of their black society all contributed to the current black pride movement.