#build black

I have the utmost respect and admiration for the Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey — a visionary, a leader, and a revolutionary who was far ahead of his time. Garvey didn’t just dream of freedom for Black people around the world — he worked tirelessly to create the systems, institutions, and mindset that could make it real. His teachings on self-reliance, economic independence, and global Black unity continue to resonate today, just as powerfully as they did a century ago.

Garvey’s greatness lies in how deeply he understood the condition of our people. He spoke directly to the hearts of a dispersed, oppressed, and often demoralized race, reminding us that we are not broken, not inferior, and not dependent on the validation of others. He taught us that Africa is not a burden to run from, but a legacy to embrace. His rallying cry — “Africa for the Africans” — wasn’t only about returning to the land, but about reclaiming our identity, our power, and our pride. His influence stretched across generations, inspiring liberation movements, civil rights leaders, and Pan-African thinkers all over the world.

I call myself a Garveyite because I believe in the dignity, strength, and divine potential of Black people. I don’t believe we should wait for change — I believe we must create it. To be a Garveyite is to commit to building for ourselves, by ourselves — whether it's through education, business, art, or community. It means loving our Blackness unapologetically, supporting each other relentlessly, and understanding that our liberation won’t be handed to us — we have to take it, together. Garvey’s message isn’t a relic of the past; it’s a mandate for the present.

One of the most iconic legacies Garvey left us is the red, black, and green flag — a banner that carries deep meaning. Red for the blood we’ve shed in the struggle, black for our people, and green for the rich land of Africa. This wasn’t just a symbol — it was a statement. A declaration of identity, unity, and purpose. Garvey gave us more than a flag — he gave us something to stand under, something to fight for, and something to be proud of.

AFRICANGLOBE – Now, nearly 100 years after white mobs burned down Tulsa’s Greenwood district and murdered many of its residents, local leaders are working to teach the community about Greenwood’s prosperous past and recapture its entrepreneurial spirit. Gurley and Stradford literally laid the groundwork for what would become known as Black Wall Street by purchasing undeveloped land in Tulsa and building commercial spaces and housing.