After Ambrose's poem and Myers's introduction, the first section of Here in Harlem is "Clara Brown's Testimony." Her words are largely in italics, unlike most of the poems by other characters. She also differs from the other characters because she is not given an age when she is first introduced. She addresses the reader in an intimate tone and explains she always talks about Harlem because Harlem is "like an old friend." This section functions as a prologue to the rest of the book, introducing the character, Clara Brown, as the book's unofficial narrator. She presents six testimonies throughout the collection.

Although Here in Harlem is not divided into chapters, Clara Brown's testimonies are each numbered with Roman numerals, like chapters, and mark the passing of time in her life. The other poems in between her testimonies are each introduced with the name...