On Monday August 17 at the Bronx County offices, Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr., in conjunction with the Jamaica Progressive League, an organization that has championed the cause of immigrants since 1936 hosted the 122^nd Birthday celebration for The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. 

Attendees of this annual event were treated to a stellar performance from the 12 year old student Byri-zyashyia Smith who ably acquitted herself in her rendition of the American and Jamaican national anthems.  Singers and players of instruments were represented in the form of BRAATA, a new 8-strong cultural group whose folk songs and Louise Bennett poem, the latter performed solo by Joan Grant provided much needed light relief.  Andrene Bonner, renowned author and educator also regaled those in attendance with excerpts of Garvey’s famous “Whirlwind” speech. 

Representatives from the Bronx and NYC Council districts were present and not lax in lining up for the regulatory photo-op in this election year for city council seats.  In attendance, Councilman Larry Seabrook, Bronx Democratic Assembly Chair, Carl Heastie, Assemblyman Peter Riviera.  Also in attendance, Jamaica’s Vice Consul-General Burrel Green and Edward Juarez Pagliocco, President and founder of the International Immigrants Foundation, Inc.

Master of Ceremonies Solomon Goodrich his shock of white hair matching his agbada, kept proceedings moving along, though the audience wilted visibly in the great hall where the air conditioning seemed to have taken a sabbatical.  League Vice President and life-long Garveyite, Jose Richards’ rousing speech laid out his definition of Marcus Garvey and his relevance today.  Challenged by poor acoustics, the key note speaker, Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the late Marcus Garvey, stirred those in the audience to respond to his call to continue building on the foundation laid by his father, commenting that even though those who seemed most passionate about fulfilling Garvey’s dream were now seniors, he would not stop fighting for the freedom of all black men the world over.  The senior Garvey would have been proud of his impassioned plea and call to action.

This event was a triple celebration - Jamaica is also celebrating 47 years of independence from British colonial rule.  Much mention was also made of the world record breaking feats of the Jamaican athletes currently ably representing their country in the Berlin World Championships.