FAQ’s

 

Who founded the UNIA♦ACL?
The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey founded the UNIA♦ACL on Monday, July 20, 1914 in Kingston, Jamaica and the UNIA Inc. was established in New York (USA) in 1918.

 

 

What is the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League?
It is a social, friendly, humanitarian, charitable, educational, institutional, constructive and expansive society organized for the general uplift of Black people of the world.

 

 

What pledge do the members make?
To do all in their power to conserve the rights of their noble race and to respect the rights of all men and women.

 

 

What are the objectives and aims of the UNIA♦ACL?
To establish a united brotherhood and sisterhood among the race; to promote race pride and love; to assist the needy; to aid in the abolishment of alien control in the whole of Africa; to establish diplomatic agencies in the principal countries and cities of the world for the representation and protection of all members of the race; to build educational institutions in Africa; to conduct worldwide commercial and industrial intercourse for the good of the race; to improve conditions in all Black communities.

 

 

What is the motto of the UNIA♦ACL?
One God. One Aim. One Destiny. And of course, Race First.

 

 

What is the slogan of the UNIA♦ACL?
Africa for the Africans, those at home and those abroad.

 

 

What is the jurisdiction of the UNIA♦ACL?
The jurisdiction of the UNIA♦ACL includes all communities where people of African descent reside.

 

 

How can I join the UNIA?
Every African person is a member of the UNIA. There are only two types of members: ACTIVE and inactive. Please re-activate your membership and pay your annual dues.

 

 

Who are the ordinary members of the Association?
All Black people are regarded as ordinary members and are entitled the consideration of the organization.

 

 

Who are the active members?

Those who pay monthly dues for the upkeep of the organization and who in consequence have the first claim for all benefits to be dispensed.

 

What are the monthly dues for members?
There is a one-time $10 joining fee for all members and a monthly due of $3.00 and a yearly assessment of $10.00. 

 

What provision is made for children and juveniles in the membership?
In every division a Juvenile Branch shall be formed, in which moral, spiritual, and racial instruction shall be given to the members.

 

 

What descriptive emblem is worn by members of the UNIA♦ACL by which they may be
known to other members?
They wear on their coats or blouses a button with the colors RED, BLACK, and GREEN. These are the authorized colors of the Association.

 

 

May the Divisions admit any member of an alien race to active membership in this
Association?
They shall admit none to active membership who is not of African blood.

 

 

Is the UNIA♦ACL against the white race or other races?
The UNIA♦ACL believes in the rights of all men and women. However, we believe in the purity of our Race and we promote the ideals as set forth by our African Ancestors.

 

 

What is the governing body of the UNIA♦ACL?
The Parent Body and High Executive Council consist of elected and appointed positions whom are mostly designated during the International Convention, which meets annually unless otherwise provided for.

 

 

Who are the High Officials?
The President General, Four Assistant President Generals, Secretary General, Assistant Secretary Generals, High Chancellor, Chaplain General, Counsel General, International Organizer, Auditor General, Minister of Education, and Minister of Labor and Industry.

 

 

Explain some concepts of Universal African Nationalism
Only when we regain control over our own states, build nations, and maintain a government as a united African people, will we be able to erase the stigma of inferiority that has permeated our culture for centuries. Africa is the ancestral land of our mothers and fathers. Universal African Nationalism recognizes that the power of Black People to achieve liberation and self-determination lies within our own grasp and will not be given to us by the white man or any other non-Black People. Universal African Nationalism manifests the oneness of all African people worldwide, even though we are temporarily separated by space and thoughts. It encompasses the realization that all Black People have a common past, common present, and if we work together, a common future. We must understand that we will never get justice or be respected or taken seriously by others or ourselves until Mother Africa and her people are unified and empowered. Liberation must be won through self-sustained exercise of Black self-reliant economic power generated by Black People only.

 

 What are the colors of the UNIA?
As per Article 39 of the UNIA Declaration (August 13, 1920, the colors: Red, Black, and Green are the colors of the Black Race.

 

 Is the UNIA needed today?
Look at the conditions of Black People worldwide and ask yourself, are we free?

 

 Will we ever get justice?
We will never get justice unless we organize ourselves into a SELF RELIANCE independent economics platform. For that reason, we implore you to re-activate your citizenship in the UNIA. After a people have established successfully a firm industrial foundation, they naturally turn to politics and society, but not first to society and politics, because the two latter cannot exist without
the former. The lesson is self reliance economics.

 

When are the UNIA Mass Meetings?
The Mass Meetings which are open to the public for recruitment are held on Sundays starting
either at 3PM or 4PM lasting two hours. They can be either weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.