Written by Justin Acheampong

_{UNIA-ACL Building.}

Located at 1609-11 Cecil B. Moore Avenue in North Philadelphia is the current international and Philly headquarters of the Universal Negro Improvement Association–African Communities League, known colloquially as the UNIA. 

The UNIA is an international organization that was founded in 1914 by Marcus Garvey. The UNIA was as much a movement as it was an organization, stressing “Black/racial pride, racial unity of African Americans, and recognization of the need to liberate Africa of White rule” to Black people globally. Garvey stressed global solidarity and repatriation back to Africa in the name of Black political power, saying “No race is free until it has a strong nation of its own – its own system of government and its own order of society.” The UNIA instilled a consciousness of racial pride and broke down national barriers between Black people of different countries to show that global Black people have a common interest, instilling a new racial nationalism based in Africa and shared African descent. 

During a time when Blackness was villainized through minstrel shows, anti-Black stereotypes, racial terrorism, lynchings, and segregation/Jim Crow, the UNIA’s message was to find community and comfort within one’s Blackness through pride in shared African ancestry and traditions. Through the promotion of Pan-Africanism and the “Black is Beautiful” phrase, the UNIA and Garvey pushed for Black people to practice what would now be called radical self-love, in addition to advocating for Black entrepreneurism and economic self-sufficiency. 

The Philadelphia branch of the UNIA, founded in 1919, was the second largest in the nation at the time. Founded on the same principles as the UNIA at large, the organization has historically promoted Black pride in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Tribune captures the positive sentiments of Philadelphians towards the UNIA, stating in 1925, that it “had done more for Negroes of the world to a keener realization of their power than all the other organizations and efforts combined.” With events ranging from giving away Black dolls for Black children to have representation with their toys to family film nights, the UNIA-ACL in Philly continues to provide a space for Black community building and pride. Members of the Philly community recognize and appreciate the UNIA for the work they have been able to do over the decades, inspiring community members to work to preserve this important piece of Philly’s Black History. Community members at the UNIA and Scribe Video Center, have developed a short film to document the importance of the UNIA to the city, as well as developing the Great Migration project which works to document how the Great Migration influenced Philadelphia. 

Despite UNIA’s essential role in Philadelphia, gentrification and university encroachment, specifically by Temple University, is currently changing the landscape of Columbia Avenue, closing in on the area where this headquarters is located. However, amazing community organizers are working to combat the gentrification and preserve this street as a hub for Black people. Read this article to learn more about the gentrification of Columbia Ave/North Philly and what you can do to help combat it. 

To learn more about the UNIA-ACL of Philadelphia and keep up with current actions, follow their Facebook page linked here.

_{Historic Marker for UNIA Headquarters in Philadelphia.}

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Bibliography

“Arguments for the Continuation, Perpetuation, and Support of the UNIA.” UNIA. 1917-1937.

Chauhan, Yamini. “Universal Negro Improvement Association.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2011.

“Government of the UNIA-ACL.” UNIA.

“Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey’s Famous Quotes.” UNIA. 2020.

Jewett, Marilyn Kai. “Commentary: North Philadelphia Residents Fight For It’s Future, Call To Stop Gentrification And Displacement.” Generosity. 2021.

Members of UNIA Thomas Harvey Division. “Black Star Rising: The Universal Negro Improvement Association in Philadelphia.” Scribe Video Center. 2016.

Members of UNIA Thomas Harvey Division. “Black Star Rising: The Universal Negro Improvement Association in Philadelphia.” The Great Migration.

Moore, Leonard. “Universal Negro Improvement Assn. (UNIA).” Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Case Western Reserve University. 2020. 

“UNIA ACL Division 121.” Facebook.

Wallace, Ethan, et al. “Ruminating on Lost Columbia Avenue.” Hidden City Philadelphia. 2014.