"The New Negro" was a term popularized during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. It referred to a new sense of racial pride, self-expression, and identity among African Americans during this period. The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic movement that saw a flourishing of Black intellectual and artistic achievements.

Prominent figures like writer and activist Alain Locke helped to define the concept of "The New Negro" in his influential anthology titled "The New Negro: An Interpretation," published in 1925. Locke used the term to describe a new generation of African Americans who were asserting their dignity and demanding civil rights, economic opportunities, and social equality.

The ideas of "The New Negro" were reflected in the literature, music, art, and intellectual discourse of the Harlem Renaissance, with artists such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Aaron Douglas contributing to this cultural reawakening. This period marked a significant shift in how African Americans were portrayed and how they portrayed themselves, challenging stereotypes and showcasing the richness and complexity of Black experiences.

Overall, the concept of "The New Negro" was a powerful statement of empowerment and resilience, emphasizing the need for self-determination, pride, and equality in the face of racism and oppression in America.