Garvey's Supporters

Garvey's supporters were those who believed in the complete separation of the black race. They believed they did not need the cooperation of the whites to succeed in America, and an isolated black community was their destiny. "In its extreme expression the spirit of the New Negro found outlet in what came to be called "Negro Nationalism," which exalted blackness, black cultural expression, and black exclusiveness" (Tindall 1109). Garvey was the leader of this "Negro Nationalism."

Garvey had to seek most of his support not from the southern, farmer/field worker black, but from the northern, urban, working blacks. They were the ones with the money that Garvey needed to start this conquest. Without them Garvey knew his campaign would never succeed. Much of his support was found in the towns of New York, such as Harlem, where the blacks were working and had money. Along with this money his supporters also had the desire to start their own business, therefore, a donation to Garvey's organization was "their duty."