The untold story of the musical that revolutionized Broadway—and the Black artists who made it unforgettable."This musical introduced Black excellence to the Great White Way. Broadway was forever changed and we, who stand on the shoulders of our brilliant ancestors, are charged with the very often elusive task of carrying that torch into our present."—Billy Porter, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning actor"The 1920s were the years of Manhattan's Black Renaissance. It began with Shuffle Along." —Langston HughesBefore Hamilton lit up the stage, Shuffle Along made history.In When Broadway Was Black, cultural historian Caseen Gaines brings to life the 1921 musical that redefined American theater. Created by Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, Flournoy Miller, and Aubrey Lyles, Shuffle Along shattered expectations with its syncopated rhythms, vibrant performances, and unapologetic celebration of Black life. It wasn't just a hit—it was a cultural turning point that ignited the Harlem Renaissance and