Harlem Renaissance, a blossoming (c.<span> 1918–37) of African American </span>culture<span>, particularly in the creative arts, and the most influential movement in African American literary </span>history<span>. Embracing literary, musical, theatrical, and </span>visual arts<span>, participants sought to reconceptualize “the Negro” apart from the white </span>stereotypes<span> that had influenced black peoples’ relationship to their heritage and to each other. They also sought to break free of Victorian </span>moral<span> values and bourgeois shame about aspects of their lives that might, as seen by whites, reinforce racist beliefs. Never dominated by a particular school of thought but rather characterized by intense debate, the movement laid the groundwork for all later </span>African American literature<span> and had an enormous impact on subsequent black literature and </span>consciousness<span> worldwide. While the renaissance was not confined to the </span>Harlem<span> district of </span>New York City<span>, Harlem attracted a remarkable concentration of intellect and talent and served as the symbolic capital of this cultural awakening.</span>