Aaron Douglas (1899-1979) was an American painter and illustrator, active during the Harlem Renaissance. He might be most known for his Aspects of Negro Life mural series that traces Black people from an African past to a modern United States. He created illustrations for in Opportunity and The Crisis, two publications and was eventually invited to an art critic at The Crisis. Douglas was also a teacher, who influenced the development of countless students at Fisk University. In 1940, he accepted a full position in the art department and worked his way up to become chairman of the art department. He retired in 1966. Douglas received his BA in Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.