The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural, social, and artistic explosion that took place in Harlem, New York in the 1920s. During this period, African American artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers thrived in Harlem and played a pivotal role in shaping black cultural identity. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was an iconic tap dancer and entertainer who rose to fame during the Harlem Renaissance, becoming one of the most popular black performers in America in the early 20th century.