Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHAT IS THE UNIVERSAL NEGRO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION?
   
   It is a social, friendly, humanitarian, charitable, educational, institutional, constructive and expansive society, organized for the general uplift of the African peoples of the world.
    

2. WHAT ARE THE AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE UNIA?
   
   To establish a united brotherhood among the race; to promote race pride and love; to assist the needy; to aid the abolishment of alien control in the whole of Africa; to establish diplomatic agencies in the principle countries and cities of the world for the representation and protection of all members of the race; to build educational institutions in Africa to conduct worldwide industrial and commercial intercourse for the good of the race; to improve conditions in all African communities.
    

3. HOW MAY A CHARTER BE SECURED TO ESTABLISH A DIVISION OF THE ORGANIZATION IN ANY COMMUNITY?
   
   Seven or more citizens of intelligence, having the respect of the people of their community, on application, may be given a charter, provided there is no Chartered Division already existing in such community. Chapters and Branches of Divisions may receive charters to work under the auspices of the Chartered Division in any community where circumstances justify the existence of such Chapters and Branches.
    

4. HOW IS THE UNIA STRUCTURED AND HOW DOES IT OPERATE?
   
   The High Executive Council Administrates the Association, except during the rise and sitting of the Annual International Convention. The members of the High Executive Council are: The Potentate and Supreme Commissioner; the Supreme Duty; the President-General; the First Assistant President-General; the Second-Assistant President-General; the Third Assistant President-General; the Auditor-General; the Minister of Labor and Industry; the High Commissioner-General; the Chaplain-General; the International Organizer; the Minister of Legions; and the Minister of Education. Except for the Potentate and Supreme Commissioner and the Supreme Deputy who both hold office for life. All other members of the High Executive Council hold office for four years provided their conduct conforms at all times with the laws and principles of the Association.
    

5. FROM WHAT SOURCE IS THE REVENUE OF THE UNIA DERIVED?
   
   Primarily monthly dues, donations, gifts and funds raised during mass meetings.
    

6. MAY THE DIVISIONS, ORDERS, OR SUBORDINATE SOCIETIEIS ADMIT ANY MEMBER OF AN ALIEN RACE TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP IN THE ASSOCIATION?
   
   They shall admit none to active membership who are not of African blood.
    

7. WHAT PROVISION IS MADE FOR CHILDREN AND JUVENILES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THIS ASSOCIATION?
   
   In every Division a Juvenile Branch shall be formed in which moral, spiritual and racial instruction shall be given to members.
    

8. IS THE UNIA A RACIST ASSOCIATION OR A BACK-TO-AFRICA MOVEMENT?
   
   The UNIA believes in the rights of all humanity. However, we believe in the purity of our race and we promote the ideals as set forth by our African ancestors.
    

9. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE UNIA’S DESIRE FOR A UNITED STATES OF AFRICA?
   
   As UNIA members, we are Garveyites. Garveyites realize that race and color play an important part in the world today. We realize that the coming into being of a powerful African nation will mean the easing of the color bar wherever African people live. The difference in the Garveyites and the person who has “lost nothing in Africa” lies in their conception of freedom. Garveyites have been taught that freedom can only be firmly established in consecrated soil. It must be sown deep in belier in one’s self, and in one’s own ability to conquer adversity. Freedom is carved out of dreams of greatness, and a determination to turn those dreams into living realities. It is planted in a common longing to shape one’s own fate.
   
   The non-Garveyite is seeking freedom through others. They doubt their ability to establish it for themselves. The environment in which they live has robbed them of their faith in their own powers of creative endeavor, and their own human and moral worth. Having little confidence in their own ability to create and build, they feel that their future depends on begging others for privileges and opportunities, and eventually escaping from themselves by means of amalgamation.
   
   We believe God created all women and men equal, that He gave us all the ingredients of greatness. What one race can do, all others may accomplish. This being true, our fight for recognition and equality will fall short of the goal so long as we are content to follow the initiative of others. Such a course will always leave us a step behind.
   
   Until we prove to the world that we too are women and men capable of doing what other women and men have done, we will always be looked upon as inferior. Only when we too have created states, built nations, and created the governments comparable to those of the modern men and women, will we be able to ease the stigma of inferiority.
    

10. WHY DOES THE UNIA STILL USE THE WORD “NEGRO” IN ITS OFFICIAL TITLE?
    
    The answer is complex and one needs to know a little about the history of the melanin peoples we call African, Black, Negro, etc. According to JA Rogers, the forefather of Black Anthropology, “Negro” is the oldest known and most ancient name to describe our family of the human race.
    
    During Marcus Garvey’s era, Negro was indeed the name of our race that was most acceptable. Since Dr. Ben Jochannan and other Black Historians have given us so much insight and information on the history of Kemet and our race, we can longer accept “Negro” as the sole description for us as a People.
    
    The Universal Negro Improvement Association is very much aware of this situation today that provides “Africans” another excuse for not joining the Grandfather of Black Nationalist Organizations.
    
    To drop “Negro” from our official title could bring legal disaster to the UNIA. European governments, particularly the US government, seized millions of dollars in property and assets that still has the UNIA in a legal bind due to the frame-up of Mr. Garvey. This perhaps is the main reason for not changing “Negro” to “African”.
    
    The bottom line is, until we establish ourselves a government and nation, we are still Negros to some. We may call ourselves Blacks, Africans, African American, Kemetian, Nubian, or otherwise. It makes no difference in our eco-political status in the world as of now.
    
    Join us in our struggle to maintain the dignity of our People.
     

  11. IS THE UNIVERSAL NEGRO IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION A "GOVERNMENT"?

       No! The Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League is not, and never was a                   government. In fact, our Founding Father Marcus Mosiah Garvey clearly states in Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus         Garvey, "The Universal Negro Improvement Association is not seeking to build up another government within the           bounds or borders of the United States of America." Furthermore, Garvey states "The Universal Negro                               Improvement Association is not seeking to disrupt any organized system of government, but the Association is                 determined to bring Negroes together for the building up of a nation of their own."

       Any organization claiming to be a "government" is not the Universal Negro Improvement Association.