The Renaissance Rhyme

Nia and Artie, siblings, walk away from Harlem Hita's brothel in Manhattan in the early 1920's to start a southern recipe restaurant underwritten by many friends. This sister and brother are hopeful they have the guts and enough support from investors to open in a former tobacconist's cigar rolling shop. Allies continue to surface. Notably, the apprentices of artist Aaron Douglas upstairs from the restaurant are lured by the enticing odors of the food and remain committed once they meet Nia. Earl Cunningham, especially, gently makes himself central to Nia's life. Artie marries and joins his wife's company. Nia and Earl marry and have a daughter, Edda, who is their greatest gift. Edda's special attribute turns out to be musical and with great teachers and colleagues she becomes a star. Edda falls in love with the piano player in her combo. All the characters in this story face The Great Depression, WWII, and the grinding challenges of life in Harlem, and yet their lives rhyme with the Black Renaissance.