The contributions African Americans have made to the arts span generations. In the nineteenth century, Robert S. Duncanson excelled as a landscape painter, and the sculptures of Edmonia Lewis made her world famous. Alma Woodsey Thomas broke ground as an expressionist painter during a time when racial segregation flourished in the United States. The jazz of Miles Davis remains a staple for music lovers. Social media wouldn't be the same without the many posts that quote writer Maya Angelou. The writing of James Baldwin continues to influence scholars, activists, and filmmakers. There's a reason Hollywood keeps turning his works into movies: They still matter. Readers will learn about the contributions these trailblazers made and the challenges they overcame. Features include: Useful for students exploring history, anthropology, music, art history, and English and language arts. Explores how these great artists were shaped by, and helped shape the culture around them. Offers greater representation of the many artistic contributions of black Americans. Detailed chronologies, chapter notes, and further reading sections offer in-depth information and additional resources for study.