Burke later moved to New York where she was married, briefly to Claude McKay, who was a leading literary figure in the Harlem Renaissance; their union was characterized as often being “rocky."

“In New York, the Harlem Renaissance, the explosion of cultural development by Black artists, activists and writers, was in full swing and Selma Burke would soon be thrust into it, forever changing her life! She was greatly inspired by many of these talents, including poet Langston Hughes; entertainer and actress, Ethel Waters; writers and composers of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” brothers Rosamond and James Weldon Johnson.”

Like several of the artistic and literary figures of the Harlem Renaissance period, Selma worked for the Works Progress Administration in New York. She was also member of the Harlem Artists Guild, where she taught art appreciation and education. During the 1930s, Selma traveled to Europe where she studied under the tutelage of Aristide Maillol (Paris) and Povolney (Vienna).

Her reputation as an artist increased as her work matured and Burke’s work was included in several exhibitions. Burke was also commissioned to do several portrait images including that of Duke Ellington, Mary Mcleod Bethune, and Booker T. Washington. One her most prominent commissions, include a portrait relief that was done of president Franklin Roosevelt. It was to be reproduced on the United States’ dime. Instead, a U.S. mint artist’s initials appear at the bottom of the image that was eventually created. According to some, Burke argued vigorously that the artist’s design simply modified the original image that she had done in order to discredit her. Much debate exists about this issue. However, the Smithsonian American Art Museum writes that “Sculptor and educator who received national recognition for her relief portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, which was the model for his image on the dime.”

Selma Burke died at ninety-four years of age. Her sculptures, many of which are on display at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, remind viewers of her legacy to art history.