Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey (1887 - 1940) was a controversial yet influential political activist, entrepreneur and journalist. Born in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica, Garvey experienced first hand the ills of colonialism, colorism and racism during his upbringing, ultimately shaping his view of the world. His early adult years were spent learning trades and involving himself in political organizations such as The National Club and going onto create the United Negro Improvement Association and the African Communities League in 1914. Three years after this, he would go onto the United States, with the hopes of further expanding the U.N.I.A and spreading his message of Black brotherhood in an "Africa for Africans," spilling into the creation of a weekly newspaper, The Negro World in 1918. As Garveyism began to take hold in Black communities in the United States and abroad, Garvey faced increased government surveillance and strife as he attempted to branch out into other ventures like The Black Star Line. Between 1922 - 1925, Garvey was arrested and tried on accusations of mail fraud before his eventual deportation from the United States in 1927. Never one to become settled, Garvey lived out the rest of his life attempting to travel the world and continue to spread his ideology; while often clashing with other Black leaders and organizations of the time. A very complicated and complex figure, Garvey was nevertheless an important piece to the foundation of Black nationalism as it is known today.