History reveals that between (1919-1923) Marcus Garvey spent many days and nights in Philadelphia, helping to recruit new members and to establish new divisions. His speaking engagements drew thousands of Philadelphians to see and hear him. Every venue would produce a jam-packed hall with shoulder-to-shoulder standing room only. On most engagements thousands would be turned away, unable to get admittance. Many of his speeches were given at the People’s Church at 15th and Christian, Academy of Music at Broad and Locust, Olympia Theatre at 3rd and South, and Dunbar Theatre at 500 South Broad streets. It wasn’t until seven years after his early Philadelphia engagements that Marcus Garvey would issue a new charter for division #121 from his homeland of Jamaica.
The UNIA-ACL International Headquarters has served as an Embassy for Black leaders and organizations such as the Nation of Islam, Temple of the Black Messiah, Republic of New Africa, Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, Nation of Gods and Earths, Moorish Science Temple, Black Unity Council, Nuwabian Nation, N/Cobra(National Coalition of Blacks for reparations in America, ASCAC (Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations), AAPRP (All African People’s Revolutionary Party) and many other grass root entities. Master teachers such as professor Tony Martin, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Yusef Ben-Jochannan, Sister Charshee McIntyre, Henry D’Bernardo, Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Edward Robinson, Reverend Ishakamusa Barashango, Dr. Calvin Robinson, Kwame Ture, Asa Hilliard, Pam Africa, Molefi Asante, Empress Philae Chionesu, Dr.Greg Carr, and Jefferson Koijee( Mayor of Monrovia, Liberia West Africa) have graced the podium of the mass meetings at Division #121.
African heads of state, such as Kwame Nkrumah and Namdi Azikiwe, also were personally nurtured in the elements of leadership by the Garveyism in Philadelphia early in their political careers. Powerful Garveyites like Earl Little (Malcolm X’s father), Charles L. James, Reginald Maddox, Alma Golden, Jean Harvey-Slappy, William Sherrill, Marcus Garvey Jr., Redman Battle, Johnny Gossett, Asim Nkrumah, Lionel Davis, William Ferris, Hubert Harrison, Sara Isaac, Theresa Young, Herbert Keys, Thomas W. Harvey, Charles Zampty and Randolph Pierre all have added to the great legacy of Philadelphia’s Division #121.
The International headquarters has always served as a community meeting place where generations of Black Philadelphians gathered for meetings, birthday celebrations, conferences, banquets, award ceremonies, conventions, summer camps, tutoring, mentoring, and even baby showers.
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