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The Coalition for Food and Health Equity builds power within communities through sustainable, community-grown cultures of health. We place hunger within the larger context of racial health equity, working to end hunger, improve health, and advance economic equity within historically marginalized communities.
Building resilient communities of health through integrated health and nutrition services rooted in a politic of racial liberation and economic justice. Our annual gala is a fundraiser designed to raise funds and awareness for advancing food security and health equity among historically marginalized communities.
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The Heart Strings, honors the culture and history of the Harlem Renaissance.
We look forward to attendees honoring the Harlem Renaissance history, culture, and influence through historically relevant and vibrant attire reminiscent of 1930s fashion.
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Lewis Spears
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Executive Director,
Kismet of Kings
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3 Acres
400 Claremont Ave., Jersey City, NJ
6:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday, February 17, 2024
3 Acres is located on Claremont Avenue off West Side. Public parking is across the street in the light rail station.
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Spanning the 1920s and 1930s, The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural explosion of Black visual art, music, dance, and literature. As we take this night to celebrate and reflect on that moment in history, we believe the fashion of the moment, too, certainly deserves its own celebration. For, taken together, the art, music, literature, dance, food, and, yes, fashion, are what made the Harlem Renaissance one of the most influential and memorable cultural movements in Black American history.
Harlem Renaissance fashion reflected the cultural and social changes of the 1920s and 1930s. It represented a rejection of mainstream fashion trends and a desire to express African American identity and pride. The fashion of the Harlem Renaissance, much like the movement itself, was a celebration of the creativity and innovation of African Americans. It paved the way for future generations of designers and fashion icons.
The fashion was all about bold colors, intricate patterns, and attention to detail. Women's fashion included flapper dresses, cloche hats, and long pearl necklaces. The men's included tailored suits and fedoras.
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Women's fashion during the Harlem Renaissance was about a rejection of traditional gender roles. Women wore shorter hemlines and bolder colors. This was to reflect the newfound sense of independence and confidence. Some Black queer artists took this moment to fully express their gender non-conforming identities. American blues singer and pianist Gladys Bentley, who was larger in size and preferred men's suits to blouses and dresses is perhaps among the most famous of early gender non-conforming Black performers.
Flapper dresses became popular during the 1920s. They were shorter and looser than traditional dresses. As evening wear, flapper dresses were covered in rhinestones, layers of fringe, or rich embroideries. Women also wore cloche hats. These close- fitting hats sat low on the forehead and emphasized the short haircuts that were in style at that time. Long pearl necklaces and feather boas were also popular accessories.
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Men's fashion during the Harlem Renaissance was characterized by a return to elegance and refinement. Men wore tailored suits made from luxurious materials like silk and wool. They accessorized with fedoras and suspenders. The zoot suit which featured long jackets and baggy trousers was also popular among young African American men.
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During the Harlem Renaissance, salons were black social spaces hosted by creatives and intellectuals, creating a space for discourse on the issues of the time. Salons were considered more intimate than a night at a dance club. Reviving salons means we create space to dream, joymake, and affirm how we all can/do/will stand in the gap for the freedoms of Black people and all people of color.
We invite you to host a Salon and curate an intimate, community-centric event benefiting the Coalition for Food and Health Equity and those we serve. Contributions made during Salons will directly support the mission of achieving food and health equity for individuals and families across New Jersey and the tri-state region.
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The 2024 Gala, The Heart Strings, is curated by The Bottom LLC.
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