William H. Johnson realized early on that racism in his home state of South Carolina would keep him from achieving his dream of becoming an artist. So in 1918, at the age of 17, he moved to New York to pursue his artistic dreams. He quickly became known for paintings that captured the sights and sounds of the largely African American community in Harlem. Although many of his paintings depicted the lighter side of life in Harlem, including the dance crazes and fashion trends of the time, his work also dealt with more serious issues such as racial violence and poverty.

Soldiers Training, by William H. Johnson, 1942-44

After America joined World War II in 1929, Johnson painted several of the black cavalries (groups of soldiers), and helped bring attention to their heroism and strength. At the time, racist laws prevented black and white U.S. soldiers from serving in the same cavalries. In 1946, he exhibited Fighters for Freedom, a series of paintings that displayed people who led the struggle for racial equality in America, important historical events and world leaders.