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Alain Locke (b. September 13, 1885 Philadelphia, Pa.; d. Washington, D.C. 1954)
is best known for his involvement with the Harlem Renaissance, although his
work and influence extend well beyond. Through The New Negro, published
in 1925, Locke popularized and most adequately defined the Renaissance as a
movement in black arts and letters. His interest and writings cover a wide
range of topics, including philosophy, music, art, literature, anthropology,
political theory, sociology, and African Studies. Besides his chairing and
teaching in the Department of Philosophy at Howard University, he spent a great
deal of time advising and encouraging many African American artists in various
fields.In this letter to Alain Locke, Still speaks about the honor of being able to write the theme song for the New York World's Fair and how wonderful it is that he can write something that does not have to be "Negroid."
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