Marcus Mosiah Garvey might have been grinning from ear to ear had he lived to witness the plans for his 135th birthday anniversary in Harlem on August 17th.
For starters, Jamaica’s first national hero will have his day.
New York State Senator Cordell Cleare has pledged to issue a proclamation declaring the anniversary “Marcus Garvey Day,” according to a press release.
The Harlem politician plans to take some time out of Albany that day, and like-minded associates who want a tribute befitting the icon will meet at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheater inside Marcus Garvey Park to watch the premiere of “African Redemption: The Life and Legacy”. of Marcus Garvey.”
Billed as a documentary chronicling Garvey’s journey from lowly immigrant to global personality, public enemy number one, outcast and presidential pardon seeker, the multifaceted pioneer’s lifespan is detailed.
Support from 20th Annual Imagenation Outdoors, Jazz Mobile/Summerfest, Harlem Week and Black Star Line Films are now added to the underwriters apologizing for the fraud and alleged tax evasion his name is associated with.
Garvey’s arrest and incarceration is well documented, however, segments depicting his life in London, England may prove an easy decision to right the wrongs a nation wants to fit into the history books.
At sunset, a cultural presentation features drumming and an abundance of pan-African tributes to the martyr.
Musician Tchaka Tonge, whose father describes himself as a “loyal Garvejit” has recreated a heritage dessert he hopes will pay homage to the immigrant turned global pan-African advocate.
After the preview, the illuminating biography will trace a path from Jamaica to Harlem, showing how that journey raised the personality who became larger than life – the father of the black power movement, the keynote speaker at Madison Square Garden and the architect who designed a black, red and green for a symbol of Black solidarity.
Garvey’s rise to fame peaked as he emerged as a respected Harlem voice, newspaper publisher, author, Civil Rights champion, and leader of a worldwide movement that reached beyond the confines of the village to bring converts to the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.
He called the organization the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
Thousands signed his release pledge. They invested in his unifying vision of “One Aim One Destiny” and were willing to sail to Africa on his ship Black Star Line.
Director Roy T. Anderson neatly weaves together each period of his life with never-before-seen visuals, reenactments, interviews, and testimonies from close individuals—who claim Garvey’s philosophy influenced their life choices.
Prominent figures from academia, sports, film, television and the music industry offer perspectives on the iconic but controversial leader, who landed “in the crosshairs of the FBI and other government agencies around the world.”
His youngest son, Dr. Julius Garvey thinks with pride about the legacy he inherited. Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. extols the virtues of black nationalism, Ilyasah Shabazz, third daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. into the political arena as filmmaker Sam Pollard introduces audiences to the groundbreaking production that Anderson traverses to document the ambitions of an activist, visionary and painter.
Even eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is able to reinforce the testimonies of Rastafarians, politicians and others who credit Jamaica’s first national hero as an inspiration for their success. While Grammy-winning recording artist Sean Paul makes only a brief appearance, a long list of intellectuals recalled the lifelong contributions of the iconic immigrant who changed the trajectory of black history in America.
Filmed in Jamaica, Ghana, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Central America, the documentary “blends live action and stunning photography, with no-holds-barred interviews and conversations that shed new light on the importance of Marcus Garvey. “
Narrated by actor Keith David, the 85-minute long documentary recently won the award for best documentary at the Zanzibar International Film Festival. It also received honors in California at the 2021 Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival.
I catch you from the inside!
