Marcus Garvey Day in Fort Lauderdale

Tuesday, August 17 was designated Marcus Garvey Day by the City of Fort Lauderdale, to commemorate the 123rd anniversary of the birth of National Hero, the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
Paying tribute to Jamaica’s first National Hero, David Deal of the Sunrise Parks and Recreation Department, presented a proclamation to I. Jabulani Tafari and Douglas Smith of the Rootz Foundation, Incorporated, organisers of the annual Marcus Garvey Extravaganza, at the Joseph C. Carter Park.
Patrons to the event were eager to view the ‘Kinad Black History Mobile Museum’ – a 40 foot tour bus – which permanently houses volumes of displays of world Black History. Among the exhibits is a special feature on the life and works of Marcus Garvey.
In his address, guest speaker at the Extravaganza, Founder of the Campaign to Save a Generation, Dr. Willie Myles, cited Garvey’s philosophy about the need for education, which “could help us to soften the ills of the world.”
Emphasising the worth of education and family values, Dr. Myles said these were very important to the strength of the family unit and in helping to develop communities.
Jamaica’s Consul General, Sandra Grant Griffiths, in her welcome, said the theme of the event, ‘Honouring our Pan African ancestors and the Rastafari Elders’, was relevant to the teachings of Garvey in today’s challenging world.
Recognising Garvey as a Renaissance man, human rights advocate, Black nationalist, Pan Africanist, journalist and publisher, she noted that the National Hero had inspired individuals, leaders and social movements across the globe, using education as a tool and an avenue for unification.
The Consul General commended the Rootz Foundation for organising the event, noting that the programme of cultural and social enrichment has continued the legacy of Garvey across the Diaspora.
The Marcus Garvey Community Service Awards were presented to three recipients for their outstanding contribution to community outreach programmes, especially in the area of youth development. They are Chipo Chemoyo Baker Harriott, Antoinette Lee (Sister Amatulah) and Marguarite Gayle.
As part of the annual Marcus Garvey Extravaganza, the Foundation also hosted an all-day Open House at Garvey’s Liberty Hall headquarters, in downtown Kingston, on August 17.
Rootz Foundation Incorporated is a Florida based non-profit organisation which provides community outreach in education and mentorship programmes benefiting underprivileged youth. The organisation has partnered with the Broward County Library Foundation in hosting community events, such as the annual Pan African Bookfest and lecture series on a range of topics, including history, self empowerment and community development.