Garvey’s Black Star Line

Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line—it was a key part of his vision for Black economic independence and global unity. Launched in 1919 as part of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), the Black Star Line was meant to be a shipping company that connected Black people across Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean, helping establish economic self-sufficiency. 

Garvey envisioned the Black Star Line as a way to facilitate trade and migration, but the company faced government interference (including an FBI campaign against Garvey), and sabotage.