High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The William E. Harmon Foundation award for Distinguished Achievement among Negroes, commonly referred to as the "Harmon award" or "Harmon foundation award", was a philanthropic and cultural award created in 1926 by William E. Harmon and administered by the Harmon Foundation. It was offered for distinguished achievements in eight different fields: literature, music, fine arts, business and industry (such as banker Anthony Overton in 1927), science and innovation, education (for example, educator Janie Porter Barrett in 1929), religious service, and race relations. Although awards were created in eight categories, it is best known for its impact on African American art of the Harlem renaissance, and particularly on the visual arts.