Final answer:
Harlem became a hub for African-centric art during the Harlem Renaissance, a period driven by the Great Migration of African Americans in search of better opportunities and a more welcoming environment in the North. It fostered cultural identity and pride through influential art, literature, and music, and nurtured notable figures like Langston Hughes and Claude McKay.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem became a center for African-centric art, music, poetry, and politics primarily because of the Great Migration. During the early 20th century, African Americans moved from the South to Northern cities like New York seeking economic opportunities, jobs, education, and a more culturally tolerant environment. Harlem, a small yet significant region in Manhattan, became the heart of what is known as the Harlem Renaissance. This flourishing of black culture and talents in the arts was characterized by a rebirth of African-American pride and cultural identity.
Amidst this backdrop, great numbers of African American artists, writers, musicians, and entertainers congregated in Harlem. They created works that captured the complexities of black life and experiences. The neighborhood burgeoned with African American-owned businesses such as publishing houses, music companies, playhouses, and nightclubs. These establishments provided the infrastructure for the artistic expression that defined the Harlem Renaissance, and they helped shape American culture in profound ways, influencing not only black communities but also the nation and the world at large. The movement was powerful enough to affect politics, as it dovetailed with growing political activism among African Americans.
Iconic figures like Langston Hughes and Claude McKay arose from this movement, articulating the new sense of identity and urban community through their literature and contributing to a broader appreciation for the cultural contributions of African Americans. The Harlem Renaissance not only produced art for art's sake but also art that was deeply rooted in social change and the affirmation of African American culture and identity.