"The New Negro" was a term popularized during the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement of the 1920s and 1930s that celebrated and promoted Black art, literature, and culture. Coined by Alain LeRoy Locke, a prominent African American philosopher and writer, "The New Negro" represented a new sense of racial pride, self-expression, and political consciousness among Black Americans.

The concept of "The New Negro" emphasized the rejection of negative stereotypes and embraced a more positive and empowered identity for African Americans. This new identity was not defined by the restrictions of Jim Crow laws or the legacy of slavery, but rather by the potential for cultural achievement, social progress, and political empowerment.

"The New Negro" movement encouraged African Americans to embrace their heritage, explore their creativity, and demand equal rights and opportunities in American society. It played a significant role in shaping the cultural and political landscape of the time, laying the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement that would follow in the decades to come.