Countee Cullen was an influential African American poet and a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement in the 1920s that celebrated Black art and literature. Born on May 30, 1903, in New York City, Cullen's work often explored themes of identity, race, and love. He was educated at New York University and later at Harvard University, where he earned a degree in English. Cullen published several notable collections of poetry, including Color (1925) and The Black Christ and Other Poems (1929). His writing was characterized by its lyrical quality and formal structure, drawing inspiration from both classical and contemporary influences. Cullen's contributions to literature helped pave the way for future generations of African American writers.