L’Universal Negro Improvement Association
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The Universal Negro Improvement Association

Photographed by Caroline Record, March 7, 2026

1. The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Marker

L’Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
Fondée en 1914 par le Jamaïcain Marcus Garvey, cette association fait partie d'un mouvement mondial visant à unir les gens d'ascendance africaine et à leur donner des moyens d'améliorer leurs vies. Depuis son siège social à Harlem (New York), P'UNIA croît rapidement au Canada au début des années 1920, comptant près de 5 000 membres répartis dans 32 sections. La première ouvre à Montréal: le Liberty Hall devient un centre important d'activités éducatives, économiques, sociales et culturelles. La grande majorité des membres canadiens sont des immigrants antillais qui apportent une sensibilité panafricaine à la tête de l'organisme.


The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)
The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), founded by Jamaican-born Marcus Garvey in 1914, was part of a global movement to unite, empower, and improve the lives of people of African descent. From its headquarters in Harlem, New York, the UNIA expanded rapidly across Canada, with approximately 5,000 members in 32 divisions by the early 1920s. The first opened in Montréal,

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where the UNIA's Liberty Hall was an important centre for educational, economic, social, and cultural activities. The vast majority of Canadian members were West Indian immigrants, who brought a strong pan-African consciousness to the leadership of the UNIA.


 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
 
Location. 45° 28.895′ N, 73° 34.65′ W. Marker is in Montréal, Québec. It is in Little Burgundy. It is on Rue Notre-Dame Ouest east of Atwater Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2741 R Notre Dame Ouest, Montréal QC H3J 1N9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

Photographed by Caroline Record, March 7, 2026

2. The Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) Marker

are within walking distance of this marker: Liam Aglat-Clayton 2011-2020 (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Gabrielle Roy (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Le Marché Atwater / Atwater Market (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Madeleine Parent (approx. half a kilometer away); La RCA Victor (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Collège Dawson (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Marguerite Bourgeoys (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Louis Cyr (1863-1912) (approx. 1.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montréal.
 
Also see . . .  Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (Wikipedia). (Submitted on March 10, 2026.)

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2026, by Caroline Record of Montréal, Québec. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2026, by Caroline Record of Montréal, Québec. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.