In Jamaica to celebrate his 91st birthday last week, Dr. Julius Garvey used the opportunity to encourage the capital city’s local government representatives to uphold the standards of service, integrity, justice, and fairness that defined the legacy of his late father Marcus Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero.
Marcus Garvey served the city as a councillor in the early 1900s.
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Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Dr. Julius Garvey emphasized that one of Marcus Garvey’s most remarkable traits was his dedication—not just to himself, but to his people. “He [was] the perfect example of servant leadership, and I think that is what I would like to see in this chamber,” Dr. Garvey shared during a recent ceremony marking the 137th anniversary of his father’s birth. The event was held at the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) as part of the celebrations.
Dr. Garvey expressed that honoring Marcus Garvey goes beyond mere recognition; it should inspire action and commitment to serving communities across Kingston and St. Andrew. “If you are honoring Marcus Garvey, it must be about the service that you are going to do for your communities and for the city of Kingston and St Andrew—because we bear a heavy responsibility,” he told the gathered guests.
He also highlighted his father’s pursuit of excellence, evident in his writings, historical insights, and communication with his people. Dr. Garvey urged the KSAMC members to uphold this standard of excellence in their work, emphasizing that their efforts in uplifting Kingston and St. Andrew could have a global impact. “If you uplift Kingston and St. Andrew appropriately, in terms of governance and the things that you do for its people, it will resonate internationally, and we can link ourselves with cities across the world,” he said.
Mayor of Kingston, Andrew Swaby, echoed these sentiments, noting that Marcus Garvey was once elected as a councillor for the Allman Town Division in the Local Government Elections of 1929 and 1931. The decision to name the chamber in his honor is a tribute to Garvey’s significant contributions, which include advocating for fair wages for laborers and championing an eight-hour workday for employees of the then Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC).
Mayor Swaby described Garvey’s service as characterized by fierce advocacy for the marginalized and visionary leadership despite overwhelming challenges. “His work in this very municipal corporation was marked by a steadfast belief that the upliftment of the people was not just a matter of charity, but a moral, political imperative,” Swaby remarked.
The mayor emphasized that naming the chamber after Garvey is not just about commemorating his memory, but about keeping his teachings alive. “These are living, breathing ideals that have the power to transform our society,” Swaby concluded.
Marcus Garvey, the legendary Pan-Africanist born in St. Ann, Jamaica, is celebrated worldwide for his unwavering commitment to the empowerment of Black people. In 1914, Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in Jamaica, but it was his move to Harlem, New York, in 1916 that truly amplified his influence, particularly in the northern, urban Black communities of the United States.
