Eubie Blake, Baltimore-raised producer of popular ragtime hits, such as “Charleston Rag”, “Bandana Days”, and “Love Will Find a Way”, composed one of the most influential musicals in African-American history. The creation of Shuffle Along, a project collaborated with director, Noble Sissle, was the first musical fully composed and directed by African Americans. Including an entire African-American cast, Shuffle Along  was first opened on Howard’s campus in Washington, D.C. in 1921 and premiered on Broadway later in the spring.

         Shuffle Along included high-tempo jazz dances and comedic songs that were not usually placed or associated with African-American culture in the theatrics. When the cast had the opportunity to perform at the Sixty-Third Street Theatre in New York City, the musical was deemed successful and profited over 9 million dollars and three touring companies in the long run. This staple collaboration by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle created a space for African-American thoughts and talents in the arts to be successfully portrayed on the theatrical stage in America.