Marcus Garvey Incorporates Black Star Line Steamship Company

Marcus Garvey incorporated the Black Star Line Steamship Company on June 27, 1919, to establish Black-owned transatlantic shipping for trade and eventual repatriation to Africa. The company sold stock exclusively to Black investors and raised over $600,000, demonstrating extraordinary grassroots Black economic mobilization. Though ultimately unsuccessful due to poor management and government sabotage, it was an unprecedented Black capitalist venture.