Who: Marcus Mosiah Garvey
How He Led: What many people in his time dreamed and discussed, Garvey organized and accomplished. The Jamaican-born orator and leader galvanized millions of people through the formation of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which had chapters in more than 40 countries. The core message of Garvey’s work centered on freedom for Black people through self-governance and economic independence from white governments, banks and companies. He was a great orator, a multi-talented being, having made his mark on the world, as a publisher, entrepreneur and journalist, and is the first of his home country’s seven National Heroes.
“We must give up the silly idea of folding our hands and waiting on God to do everything for us. If God had intended for that, then he would not have given us a mind. Whatever you want in life, you must make up your mind to do it for yourself.”
“We must canonize our own saints, create our own martyrs, and elevate to positions of fame and honor Black men and women who have made their distinct contributions to our racial history. Sojourner Truth is worthy of the place of sainthood alongside of Joan of Arc; Crispus Attucks and George William Gordon are entitled to the halo of martyrdom with no less glory than that of the martyrs of any other race. Toussaint L’Ouverture’s brilliancy as a soldier and statesman outshone that of a Cromwell, Napoleon and Washington; hence, he is entitled to the highest place as a hero among men. Africa has produced countless numbers of men and women, in war and in peace, whose lustre and bravery outshine that of any other people. Then why not see good and perfection in ourselves?”
