South Florida prepares to host the fifth annual Marcus Garvey Groundings event on February 25th at the Island Space Museum, organized by the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami. This cultural celebration uniquely combines the observance of Black History Month with Jamaica’s Reggae Month, creating a powerful tribute to national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey and the global influence of reggae music.
The event commemorates Garvey’s singular visit to South Florida exactly 103 years ago, when he arrived by train on February 25, 1921. During his three-day stay, the activist delivered a landmark lecture series in Key West promoting the Black Star Line shipping company before departing for Cuba.
Historical context reveals that Garvey established the Black Star Line in 1919 through the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which had grown to encompass over four million members worldwide. As founder and first President-General of the UNIA and African Communities League, Garvey launched the company’s “African Redemption” Liberia program, envisioning a sovereign nation on Africa’s west coast for Black Americans descended from enslaved peoples.
This year’s gathering features Steven Golding, current President of the UNIA and African Communities League, as keynote speaker. Golding will emphasize Garvey’s enduring advocacy for black pride, self-worth, and economic self-sufficiency while continuing efforts to establish February 25th as officially recognized South Florida Garvey Day.
Consul General Oliver Mair explained the event’s dual purpose: “This represents our consulate’s approach to celebrating both Black History and Reggae Month. We recognize Garvey’s profound significance for Jamaica, the diaspora, and people of color globally. We are committed to ensuring the world never forgets Garvey’s legacy.”
In alignment with Garvey’s principles of self-reliance, the event will feature Farrah Blake, CEO of Jamaica’s Cannabis Licensing Authority, as a main presenter. Blake highlighted the natural synergy between the cultural celebration and investment-focused lecture series, noting that “this marriage is particularly apt.” She revealed that 51% of directorships in cannabis businesses licensed over the past decade must be Jamaican-owned, reflecting Garvey’s teachings about economic self-determination.
“Our medical cannabis industry merges herb with healing—as we have always understood it,” Blake added. “Cannabis is synonymous with Jamaica and its music, creating natural synergy with Garvey’s teachings about self-sufficiency.”
The celebration will feature live performances by the Visions Band and Tallawah Mento Band, blending musical tributes with educational programming. According to Consul General Mair, the event serves to “sustain progressive education about Garvey’s teachings while paying tribute to reggae music’s powerful messages to the world.”