The seasoned organizer of the annual event, Ms. GG Owens opened the ceremony by introducing herself, welcomed everyone, kind of went through the purpose and four categories of the award. She recapped with the following:

Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. was a Jamaican-born black nationalist who was renowned and active in both Jamaica and the United States. Hon. Garvey led a mass movement organization called Pan-Africanism and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League.

He also founded the Black Star Line, a shipping and passenger line which promoted the return of the African diaspora to their ancestral lands. Summarily, most American Black leaders condemned his methods and his support for racial segregation, and Garvey attracted large followership. The Black Star Line went bankrupt, and Garvey was imprisoned for mail fraud in the selling of its stock. His movement then rapidly collapsed.

The special guest is a long and outstanding acquaintance of Ms. GG Owens for a decade; Mr. Zaki Baruti without wasting time, touched based on their organizations humanitarian works carried out in parts, the need for black folks to reconsider doing business together, the progressive advent of how the black generation is being dehumanized to mention but a few.

He used the opportunity to buttress his two times gubernatorial contest in the State of Missouri. On behalf of Universal African Peoples Organization called for membership into UAPO aspirations:  we recognize that for substantial economic, political, cultural and spiritual changes to occur, we must organize, organize, organize!” Also acknowledged associates of Coffee Wrights, a senatorial candidate in the recently conducted poll. 

While rounding up, he recognized all attendants, thanking everyone for coming, with the hope more people will attend the August occasion, same time, next year. All attendance applauds!

Ms. GG Owens conducted the award ceremony. About 20 people received awards.

Mr. Francis John of HOPe Africa is rated the most accessible Nigerian, with exemplary participatory in community services among other qualities exhibited. His certificate reads: John Francis – Economic Development, Leadership, and Community Service, signed by Ms. GG Owens, the Founder/National Representative of The Black Hat Society Kansas City.  Other recipients are: Mr. Zaki Baruti, Mr. Lamar, Je’Rome Ray, Edward Bell, Mr. John Woods Assistant City Manager.

Several photographs were taken, food and refreshments were served, afterward was meet, greet and socialization. 

The 20th Marcus Annual Marcus M. Garvey held at Prospect Road, Kansas City. Dignitaries from out of town attended the one the event. One of the rules to gain entrance is to dress in the following colors Red, Black and or Green to commemorate the Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey.

The event captioned “Come Out Meet Your Neighbors; Learn More About Your Culture and Rich History.”

Sponsored are: The Black Hat Society, Black Nation, Universal African Peoples Organization (UAPO), KCOG’s, HOPe Africa, The Rising Sons & Daughters, Left Lane Entertainment Sydneys Sensations, The Mecca Business Group, and GG & Company. 

Francis John

HOPe Africa