Final answer:
The black citizens of Harlem largely came from southeastern states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Georgia during the Great Migration, seeking better opportunities and leading to the Harlem Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Harlem's black citizens primarily migrated from southeastern states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. These states were part of the Deep South, where many African Americans lived under the oppressive conditions of Jim Crow laws. Seeking better economic opportunities, jobs, education, and a more tolerant environment, they were a significant part of the Great Migration.
This demographic shift ultimately led to the flourishing of African American culture in Harlem, contributing to the development of a notable period known as the Harlem Renaissance. Writers, musicians, and artists like Langston Hughes became the voices of this new identity and cultural awakening, expressing the experiences and aspirations of the African American community without fear or shame. The legacy of the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance continues to influence American culture and society.