Virginia Department of Historic Resources
(dhr.virginia.gov)
For Immediate Release
June 2026
Contact:
Ivy Tan Ager
Department of Historic Resources
Marketing & Communications Manager
ivy.ager@dhr.virginia.gov
804-482-6445
State Historical Marker Unveiled for Garvey Movement in Newport News
—The marker focuses on Marcus Garvey’s Pan-African movement in Newport News during the 20th century—
—Text of marker reproduced below—
PLEASE NOTE: DHR creates markers not to “honor” their subjects but rather to educate and inform the public about a person, place, or event of regional, state, or national importance. In this regard, erected markers are not memorials.
RICHMOND – The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) has announced that a state historical marker approved by the Virginia Board of Historic Resources was dedicated highlighting the City of Newport News’s branch of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), an organization founded by the political activist Marcus Garvey in the first quarter of the 20th century.
The marker dedication was held Friday, June 26, at the site of the marker at the Boys & Girls Club: Greater Hampton Roads Unit, located at 629 Hampton Avenue in Newport News (23607). The event was free and open to members of the public.
The dedication ceremony began with welcome remarks and a recognition of dignitaries given by Anne Miller, superintendent of historic services for the City of Newport News. The Rev. John I. Swann, pastor at St. Paul’s AME Church in Newport News, led the prayer/invocation. Among the individuals who spoke are Jennifer Loux, DHR’s historical marker program manager, and Winston Favor, author and researcher of the marker submission. Mr. Favor also helped lead the unveiling of the marker at the ceremony’s conclusion.
In 1914, Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), an organization that promoted Pan-Africanism, Black economic independence, and racial pride and separatism. In 1918, the UNIA’s sixth division, or branch, was established in the City of Newport News. The UNIA eventually expanded to hundreds of divisions internationally. The branch in Newport News, where Garvey’s message resonated with maritime and industrial laborers, was among the largest divisions. Garvey spoke at the Dixie Theatre and at First Baptist Church in the city in 1919 to raise funds for the UNIA’s steamship company, the Black Star Line. Audience members were among the earliest and most enthusiastic investors. The UNIA was in decline by the 1930s.
The Virginia Board of Historic Resources, which is authorized to designate new state historical markers, approved the manufacture and installation of the historical marker for the Garvey Movement in Newport News in March 2025. The City of Newport News, which sponsored the marker, covered the marker’s manufacturing cost.
Virginia’s historical highway marker program began in 1927 with installation of the first markers along U.S. Route 1. It is considered the oldest such program in the nation. Currently there are more than 2,600 state markers, mostly maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation, except in those localities outside of VDOT’s authority.
Full Text of Marker:
The Garvey Movement in Newport News
Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914 and launched its sixth division, or branch, in Newport News in 1918. The UNIA, which expanded to hundreds of divisions internationally, promoted Pan-Africanism, Black economic independence, and racial pride and separatism. The branch in Newport News, where Garvey’s message resonated with maritime and industrial laborers, was among the largest. Garvey spoke near here at the Dixie Theatre and at First Baptist Church in Newport News in 1919 to raise funds for the UNIA’s Black Star Line, a steamship company. Audience members were among the earliest and most enthusiastic investors. The UNIA was in decline by the 1930s.
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