Here's why:
* Harlem Renaissance (1920s-1930s): This period was a flowering of African American art and literature, heavily focused on themes of racial identity, segregation, and the African American experience.
* Brooks' Career (1940s-2000s): While her debut was in the 1940s, she continued to write throughout the 20th century. Her work carried many of the same themes and stylistic elements as the Harlem Renaissance, even though she was writing in a slightly later period.
While she's often categorized with the Harlem Renaissance, Brooks also developed her own unique voice and addressed contemporary social issues beyond race. She's considered a major figure in African American literature, and her influence extends beyond the Harlem Renaissance.