On April 27, 1883, Hubert Henry Harrison was born in St. Croix, then part of the Danish West Indies (now the U.S. Virgin Islands). A brilliant orator, writer, and political organizer, Harrison became a pivotal figure in early 20th-century Black radical thought in America. After immigrating to New York City, he emerged as a leading voice during the Harlem Renaissance and a founder of the “New Negro” movement.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Harrison connected racial justice with class struggle, advocating for both civil rights and socialist principles. He founded the Liberty League and the influential newspaper The Voice, and was a mentor to Marcus Garvey before their ideological split. Despite his monumental influence, Harrison remains one of the most underrecognized leaders in Black intellectual history.