Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey was one of the most influential Black leaders of the 20th century and the architect of a global Black nationalist movement. Born in Jamaica, he developed a philosophy centered on racial pride, self-reliance, and economic independence for people of African descent worldwide. In 1914, he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which would grow into the largest mass movement of Black people in history, with chapters across the United States, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe.

Garvey believed that political freedom was impossible without economic power. Through the UNIA, he promoted Black-owned businesses, community institutions, and international unity. One of his most ambitious efforts was the Black Star Line, a shipping company intended to facilitate global trade and reconnect the African diaspora. While the project faced financial and political sabotage, the vision behind it challenged colonial and white-controlled economic systems head-on.

Though controversial during his lifetime, Garvey’s influence shaped generations that followed. His ideas laid the groundwork for later movements focused on Black pride, Pan-Africanism, and self-determination — influencing figures such as Malcolm X and organizations like the Nation of Islam. Garvey’s legacy is rooted in the belief that knowing who you are, owning your labor, and controlling your future are essential acts of freedom.