Alain Locke was a prominent Black American philosopher, educator, and writer who played a key role in the Harlem Renaissance. He is considered the "Father of the Harlem Renaissance" for his work in promoting and supporting African American artists, writers, and thinkers during the cultural movement of the 1920s. Locke was the first African American to earn a Rhodes Scholarship, which he used to study at the University of Oxford and the University of Berlin.

Locke was a leading intellectual during his time, advocating for the recognition of African American culture and art as vital components of American culture. He believed that the arts were a powerful tool for exploring and expressing the experiences and contributions of African Americans. Locke's most famous work is "The New Negro," an anthology of writings by various African American artists and intellectuals that helped define the themes and goals of the Harlem Renaissance.

Throughout his career, Locke worked tirelessly to promote African American artists and writers, helping to launch the careers of many now-famous figures such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Jacob Lawrence. His influence on the Harlem Renaissance and the broader civil rights movement cannot be overstated, as he laid the foundation for the recognition and celebration of African American culture in the United States.