VIDEO: Arts Collective Seeks To Preserve Harlem Home of Langston Hughes

Like no other writer of his era, Langston Hughes, through his poetry, prose and plays, captured the essence of the early 20th Century's Harlem Renaissance.

Beginning with "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," Hughes introduced readers to an African-American voice that spoke of his background with dignity. His words described the music and culture of Harlem in a style that would be known as jazz poetry.

As reported by ABC News, the Harlem brownstone where Hughes lived has been empty for over ten years. Walking past the unused building every day inspired children's literature author Renée Watson to create the I, Too, Arts Collective, a nonprofit whose goal is to use the home as a cultural space for the community, with art galleries and programs such as open mic nights, readings and workshops. (Click here to read the Langston Hughes poem, "I, Too.")

Toward that end, the organization has set up an IndieGoGo campaign with a goal of raising $150,000 to lease the home from its current owner. Over $66,000 has been raised so far.

"I wanted to create a space for young people to learn about Langston and his legacy, but also to add on to it," says Watson.

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