Juneteenth Celebration

In observance of Juneteenth, Indiana Landmarks explores the legacy of Marcus Garvey and his impact on Indiana.

Explore the legacy of Marcus Garvey and his impact on Indiana at Indiana Landmarks’ Juneteenth event, Black Wealth, Black Power: Putting Ourselves in Charge of Ourselves.

In the early twentieth century, Marcus Garvey’s movement, known as Garveyism, promoted Black pride, unification of all people of African descent, and the creation of self-governing Black nations. Garveyism advocates for Black people to build their own businesses, schools, and communities, urging people of African descent to lift themselves up rather than wait for inequitable help from the government. Garvey’s efforts resulted in the creation of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1915 with two divisions operating in Indianapolis from 1919 until the late 1940s, comprised of the most educated and elite Black Hoosiers.

On June 19, the evening begins at 5 p.m. with a free screening of Mosiah, a 40-minute independent historical short film detailing Marcus Garvey’s 1923 mail fraud trial. Directed by and starring Samuel Lee Fudge as Garvey, the film focuses on Garvey defending himself against a politically motivated prosecution aimed at dismantling the UNIA. The evening’s main presentation follows from 6-7:30 p.m. featuring speaker Steven Golding, president of the Kingston Division of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL). The film screening and presentation are free with advance registration.

Following the free program, stay for a post-presentation celebration from 7:30-9 p.m. with food, drink, dancing, and music featuring Alaina Renae. Paid ticket required.

Proceeds from the event benefit Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program.