Marcus Garvey

Marcus Mosiah Garvey (August 17, 1887 – June 10, 1940) was a publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, crusader for black nationalism and founder of the UNIA-ACL. He was born in Jamaica. Garvey is best remembered as a champion of the "back-to-Africa" movement, which was interpreted as encouraging people of African ancestry to return to their ancestral homeland. He is also recognized as the most important prophet of the "back-to-Africa" Rastafari movement. Garvey said he wanted those of African ancestry to "redeem" Africa, and for the European colonial powers to leave it. Although Garvey was raised Methodist, he became Greek Orthodox.

Memorials to Garvey in Jamaica and Beyond

Jamaica has honoured Garvey in many ways:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• a statue of Garvey erected on the grounds of the St. Ann's Bay Parish Library;
• a Secondary School in St. Ann named for him;
• a major highway in Kingston bearing his name;
• a bust of Garvey unveiled at Apex Park, Kingston in 1978;
• his likeness appears on the Jamaican 50 cent coin and 20 dollar coin;
• the building housing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (New Kingston) bears his name.
• a park with his name in Harlem, New York City.
• A major street in Nairobi, Kenya.

There is also a Marcus Garvey library located inside the Tottenham Green Leisure Centre building in North London.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~