Countee Cullen was a prominent African American poet during the Harlem Renaissance, a flourishing of Black cultural and artistic expression in the 1920s and 1930s in Harlem, New York City. He was known for his mastery of traditional poetic forms and themes that explored themes of identity, race, love, and religion.

Born on May 30, 1903, in Louisville, Kentucky, Cullen was raised by his grandmother in Harlem after his parents died. He attended New York University and later transferred to Harvard University, where he was deeply influenced by the works of W.E.B. Du Bois and Alain Locke.

Cullen's poetry was characterized by its lyrical beauty, classical references, and deep emotional resonance. Some of his most well-known works include "Color," "Heritage," and "Yet Do I Marvel." Cullen's poetry often delved into complex themes of racial identity and the search for belonging in a society marked by discrimination and prejudice.

In addition to his poetry, Cullen also wrote plays, essays, and children's literature. He was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance and was associated with other prominent Black artists and intellectuals of the time, including Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

Countee Cullen's legacy as a poet and literary figure is enduring, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated for their artistic merit and contributions to Black literary history.