Happy Independence Day

August 17, 1887 | August 17, 1960 | August 17, 2017

Not only am I celebrating Gabon’s Independence Day today, I’m also celebrating the life of Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr., Universal African Flag Day, and the one year anniversary of purchasing my blog domain. ​

Having just traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica for my birthday and toured St. Ann (where Garvey, the father of Pan-Africanism, and Bob Marley, the iconic reggae legend, were born) on the way to see Bob Marley’s Mausoleum, TODAY is particularly special to me.

The Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL), founded by Garvey in 1914, formally adopted the RBG flag in Article 39 of the Declaration of the Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World, during its month-long convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 13, 1920 - exactly 64 years before I was born. That’s why I chose red, black, and green as the colors for my LAW$ logo. #fortheculture #igotithonest

Red: the blood that unites all people of Black African ancestry, and shed for liberation
Black: Black people whose existence as a nation, though not a nation-state, is affirmed by the existence of the flag
Green: the abundant natural wealth of Africa

“Show me the race or the nation without a flag, and I will show you a race of people without any pride. Aye! In song and mimicry they have said, “Every race has a flag but the coon.” How true! Aye! But that was said of us four years ago. They can’t say it now….” - Marcus Garvey 

​One year ago today, I also decided to face my greatest fear and TELL my story - one of tragedy and triumph, test and testimony. God lead me to purchase my namesake domain to SHARE my story. I’ve felt FREER than FREE ever since! Happy Independence Day indeed!

Nothing happens by chance, and I don’t believe in coincidences. It ALL comes together! #praiseGod #August17 #itwaswritten #themoreyouknow