IndexIntroductionEarly LifeThe Rise and Fall of UNIA Leadership LackGarveyLife LegacyBibliographyIntroductionEvery generation is afforded its share of leaders; those who have the power to empower others and are motivated to create a better world for generations to come. Marcus Garvey was one of those people. He was an activist, journalist, entrepreneur and speaker of unity among blacks. When he spoke, people listened, and although his practices and behaviors were controversial, his desire to create a better, independent society for blacks is what fueled his movement and brought him notoriety. Garvey's advanced and often rebellious philosophies inspired the world's first black nationalist movement and gave blacks a sense of pride they had never had before. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Early Life Marcus Garvey Jr. was born on August 17, 1887 in Saint Ann's Bay, Jamaica. He was the last of 11 children born to Marcus Garvey Sr. and Sarah Jane Richards, both of whom had a major influence on his life and outlook. His father was a stonemason and his firm, aggressive and bold character taught Garvey that he could only rely on himself to survive. His mother, Sarah, grew crops and took care of a white family. Garvey's mother had enormous influence and high hopes for him. Her nurturing spirit and love help create Garvey's extraordinary self-confidence. Garvey envisioned becoming the world's first gentleman and giving speeches to crowds of millions. He spent hours reading, but was forced to stop school at the age of 14, under the colonial education system. When his white neighbor was told never to speak to him because he was a "nigger," Garvey realized what it truly meant to be black. He felt left out and left out, and the rest of his life was an attempt to prove that he was as good as anyone else. The Rise and Fall of the UNIAA At 14, Garvey became a printer's apprentice where he would learn the power of the printed word. In 1910 he began traveling through Central America, supporting himself as a journalist and laborer. In 1912, he returned to Jamaica and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) with the goal of creating an independent black nation modeled after Booker T. Washington's industrial training school, the Tuskegee Institute. The organization had problems from the beginning. Garvey was terrible at managing money and made enemies with his dictator-like leadership style. In 1916, after the failure of the UNIA in Jamaica, Garvey left to start a new life in America. He created branches of the UNIA within predominantly black communities. Garvey spread the gospel of black pride and high self-esteem. He gave black people hope and told them that their history did not begin with slavery. He told black people to unite and believe in their roots and the rich history of Africa. It made black people feel beautiful and changed how they saw themselves in society. Garvey's genius was to transform men in uniform so that they "always consider themselves a perfect being and are satisfied with themselves". At its peak the UNIA had something for everyone, including children, and gained a following of two million people. The UNIA was founded to demonstrate the success of blacks. In the summer of 1918, Garvey decided to start a black business. He founded Liberty Hall, where he established the Negro World Newspaper. He also established laundromats, grocery stores, restaurants, and a converting printing press