THE UNIVERSAL NEGRO Improvement Association And African Communities League
The Universal Negro Improvement Association-African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) is a Pan-African nationalist organization founded by Jamaican-born Marcus Mosiah Garvey in 1914. Dedicated to racial pride, economic self-sufficiency and the formation of an independent Black nation in Africa, its motto is
“One God! One Aim! One Destiny!” and its slogan is “Africa for the Africans at home and abroad.” Though the UNIA was founded in Jamaica its major influence was strongest in urban Black America after Garvey arrived in New York in 1916. It has been described as “the largest mass movement in African American history.” By 1920 the UNIA -ACL had over 1,900 divisions in more than 40 countries and most were located in the U.S.
At its convention that year the event began with a parade that featured its newly adopted red, black and green flag and thousands of followers. It is estimated that at the height of the movement the UNIA had a membership in the millions.
The UNIA-ACL mission resulted in the establishment of a number of ventures including: the Universal African Legion, a paramilitary group; the African Black Cross Society; the Black Star Steamship Line and the Negro Factories Corporation.
Garvey’s message of Black nationalism was rejected by many respected African America leaders, including W.E.B. DuBois, James Weldon Johnson and A. Phillip Randolph who opposed his position on separatism.
Additionally, the federal government had Garvey in its sights. In 1922 Garvey was indicted on mail fraud charges. He was convicted, imprisoned and deported to Jamaica in 1927, and he died in London in 1940.
But, today the UNIA/ACL survives. The national association is headed up by Cleo Miller, a former football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns. And, in Philadelphia the UNIA/ACL has an iconic presence in the heart of North Philadelphia’s Black community at 1609 Cecil B. Moore Ave. It is led by Michael Duncan, the President General.
