Jamaican Black History Tribute

Marcus Garvey – The first person to be appointed a National Hero in Jamaica, Marcus Mosiah Garvey was a political leader, publisher, entrepreneur and civil rights activist. Garvey was born in 1887 and made a significant contribution to the advancement of rights for black people, promoting the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements up until his death in 1940. Garvey was the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association through which he promoted his belief that people of African ancestry have a responsibility to “redeem” Africa and encourage European colonial governments to leave the continent. His Pan-African philosophy, known today as “Garveyism,” inspired a worldwide movement and influenced several political and religious groups, including the Rastafarian movement and the Nation of Islam.