Influential Black Leaders (2024)

Zora Neale Hurston

(January 7, 1891– January 28, 1960)

Known as theJewel of the Harlem Renaissance, Zora Neale Hurston was one of the most successful and most impactful black woman writers of the 20th century. Hurston grew up in the first incorporated all-black town in the country in Eatonville, Florida. Eatonville was a large inspiration from where her stories were based.
Over the course of her life, Hurston published four novels, two books of folklore, an autobiography, multiple short stories, numerous essays, articles, and plays. Her literary voice was lyrical, authentic, and didn’t pull any punches when it came to the reality of Black experiences. By her death in 1960, Hurston was a renowned anthropologist, author, playwright, and folklorist. Without a doubt, Zora Neale Hurston’s voice is a vibrant thread in the tapestry of the Harlem Renaissance.