In a moving tribute to Pan-Africanist icon Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on Tuesday, 6th August, 2025, unveiled a commemorative port marker and memorial park at Pump Bay—the very site where Garvey first arrived on the island in 1937. The historic ceremony, attended by dignitaries, community members, and cultural performers, underscored the enduring legacy of Garvey’s message of Black pride, unity, and self-determination.
The event was headlined by the presence of Dr. Julius Garvey, son of the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey, and formed part of a Remembrance Ceremony hosted by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission for UNESCO and the Routes of Enslaved Peoples Committee. Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew led the proceedings, unveiling the new memorial and reflecting on the momentous significance of Garvey’s visit nearly nine decades ago.
“He arrived aboard the SS Lady Nelson, not as a conqueror, but as a messenger of purpose,” said Prime Minister Drew. “He came with a vision, one that stirred the consciousness of our people and planted seeds of self-worth, pride, and possibility.”
Dr. Drew described the new site as a “living memory,” both a tribute and a torch that would continue to light the path for future generations. He also highlighted Garvey’s continued relevance, saying: “Garvey’s call to ‘uplift ourselves by ourselves’ still echoes in the work we do today to build a fairer, freer, more confident nation and region.”
Following the unveiling at Pump Bay, the delegation visited the site of the former Mutual Improvement Society Building on Market Street in Basseterre—where Garvey delivered a rousing address in 1937. Minister for Constituency #2, Hon. Marsha Henderson, noted the profound symbolism of the site and its connection to the black intelligentsia of the time.
“This community has produced trailblazers and icons in all areas,” said Henderson. “It is no coincidence that this was the location selected for the headquarters of the St. Kitts Mutual Improvement Society.”
She highlighted how the Society was more than a literary forum—it was a space for critical thinking and national progress, rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, meaning “I am because we are.” Henderson linked Garvey’s teachings to modern goals, such as sustainable development and inclusive tourism. “Our tourism strategy is built on principles of sustainability, community engagement, and environmental stewardship,” she said.
Dr. Julius Garvey shared a deeply personal and emotional address, stating that his father’s 1937 visit aimed to “liberate our minds from mental slavery,” during a time when colonialism still held sway across the Caribbean. He invoked his father’s wisdom and legacy, declaring: “The black skin was not a badge of shame, but a symbol of greatness.”
Dr. Garvey passionately encouraged the audience to pursue self-knowledge and education: “There’s all the knowledge in the world… And the way to access that knowledge is to read, read, read, and read.”
He echoed his father’s belief that “intelligence rules the world and ignorance carries the burden,” asserting that self-knowledge empowers people to define their own destinies. “While God gives us the land, we must build the cities. We must co-create the future we want,” he urged.
The significance of Pump Bay—once a bustling port and now a sacred site—was not lost on the audience. Hosted by Mr. Arnold McIntosh in Sandy Point during his 1937 visit, Garvey’s message left a deep and lasting imprint on St. Kitts and Nevis, fuelling movements of Black empowerment across the Caribbean.
The day’s events powerfully reconnected the Federation with its Pan-African legacy, while reinforcing its commitment to building a society rooted in equity, resilience, and cultural pride. As Dr. Garvey closed his remarks, he invoked his father’s enduring motto: “One God, one aim, one destiny, one love.”
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