Every year, August 17 marks the Marcus Garvey Day, which is one of the national days of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD). This year, for this special occasion, Dr Julius Garvey, who is Marcus Garvey’s son, and Dr Louis-Georges Tin, Prime Minister of SOAD, have just signed a cooperation agreement the aim of which is « to create a maritime company called The New Black Star Line, to revive the Black Star Line, the company once created by Marcus Garvey », as stated in article 1 of the text.
Last year, on december 31, 2021, both parties had already signed a cooperation agreement. Now, this new article is added to reinforce this important cooperation. As explained in article 2, « the company will work on repatriation, to support the African Diaspora in their effort to reconnect with the continent, and it will also encourage Africans from the continent to visit the Diaspora ». But it will also work with cargo « in an effort to promote South-South commercial relationships » (article 3). Though it is very recent, this initiative has already raised a lot of interest. Different partners on the international scale have expressed their desire to be part of the story.
The Prime Minister declared : « The New Black Star Line is an effort to continue and reinforce the example set up by Marcus Garvey. While our ancestors were deported from Africa, the New Black Star Line will help us to reverse this bad energy and go back to Africa. To sign this cooperation agreement with Dr Julius Garvey is a privilege. This initiative is not only commercial, it is also political, I would even say spiritual ».
Upon signing the document, Dr Julius Garvey concluded : « It is time to carry forward my Father’s Legacy.