A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. was a Jamaican political activist. He was the founder and first President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.  Ideologically a Black nationalist and Pan-Africanist, his ideas came to be known as Garveyism. Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association form a critical link in Black America’s centuries-long struggle for freedom, justice, and equality.  Garvey’s legacy continues to instill pride and inspiration among many African American people throughout the diaspora.

The Village Ball, organized by the Akron Rites of Passage Institute, supports the Legacy Building Project for the Akron African American Cultural Center and Museum. This year’s event celebrates Marcus Garvey’s 138th birthday and exoneration, honoring his legacy with the Marcus Garvey, Sojourner Truth, and John Brown Hero & Shero Awards for community service leaders along with the Nguzo Saba Awards for community organizations. It serves as a significant celebration of history, culture, and the preservation of Akron’s Black heritage.