Why is the Harlem Renaissance called the Harlem Renaissance?

The Harlem Renaissance is considered a renaissance because it was a cultural explosion where African Americans gained national recognition. They started thinking outside of the box and thought up of beautiful works of literature and jazz. The period was so influential, that it ended up influencing the Civil Rights Movement 30 years later. Although the definition of renaissance is a "rebirth" of something, the Harlem Renaissance was actually a cultural birth, this was the first time the white man started giving blacks respect.