Nigel Westmaas
From Emancipation Day in 1838, long before the modern language of non-governmental organizations or social movements entered public discourse, African Guyanese were establishing associations dedicated to education, mutual aid, political advocacy, and racial uplift.
Although these organisations cross two centuries of activity and differed in ideology, membership, and methods, they shared several enduring concerns. They promoted education and leadership, encouraged economic cooperation and entrepreneurship, defended civil and political rights, preserved African cultural traditions, fostered racial pride and dignity, and connected the struggles of African Guyanese with broader Pan-African and global Black liberation movements. Some pursued constitutional reform through petitions and dialogue with the colonial state; others embraced mass mobilization, cooperative economics, religious renewal, or international political activism.
This history also challenges the misconception that African Guyanese political and social organization began only with the emergence of modern political parties in the 1950s. Long before nationalist politics and formal party organisation (not included in this survey), African Guyanese had already developed sophisticated networks of associations, newspapers, commercial enterprises, welfare organizations, friendly societies, cultural movements, and international connections.
The organizations briefly documented and summarized here therefore represent just a brief snapshot of their collective impact and are offered as a public service to encourage greater awareness, research, and appreciation of African Guyanese history. They do not constitute a comprehensive catalogue of the organizations founded and active since Emancipation. Several entries are unavoidablybrief because of the limited information available in the public record and archival sources. Nevertheless, they illustrate the breadth and evolution of African Guyanese organizations, and how successive generations organised in pursuit of freedom, dignity, equality, cultural integrity, self-determination, and reparative justice while confronting colonialism, economic marginalization, and racial discrimination.
Guiana African Association
Also called the British Guiana African Association and African Association of British Guiana this body was founded in 1842 by George McFarlane (President), Vries (a Surinamese Druggist), Oudkirk (an ex-Police Inspector) and N. Belgrave, (ex-schoolmaster & Secretary of the British Guiana Association) among others. Its official newspaper was the Freeman Sentinel. Under the leadership of George McFarlane and Secretary N. Belgrave, the Association petitioned Queen Victoria against colonial policies that threatened the newly emancipated population. Their petition protested racial discrimination, unequal political representation, reductions in public services, and the introduction of indentured.
Emancipation League
This Georgetown-based organisation was active in 1912 with an Executive council. Its chairman was the Rev D.F Drayton. In May 1912 a meeting of the organisation proposed 5 broad goals: (a)To help the people to realise their potentialities; (b) to keep before them an accepted race code; (c) to encourage thrift and cooperation; (d) the incorporation of the League as a representative body of the people through whom they may approach the Government in matters affecting their interests, and to whom they can appeal in labour disputes, etc and (e)the publishing of an organ for the practical enlightenment of the people.
Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League UNIA (British Guiana)
Established itself from around 1917 the UNIA (Guyana) at its height held seven groups in the colony of British Guiana. In 1919 it was the cause of seditious legislation in the colony. The UNIA’s activities in British Guiana are not well chronicled. John Williams, in a brief examination of Garveyism in Guyana, suggests that the Garvey movement in Guyana began relatively late in comparison to other Caribbean territories. In spite of this slow start and its comparatively small size, the British Guiana UNIA “did not escape the scrutiny and the strictures of the local colonial administration.” Like other researchers on the Garvey movement in British Guiana, Williams places the movement’s high point in the 1920s at seven UNIA groups, an official statistic from the headquarters of the UNIA. Tony Martin states that the UNIA “did other things that UNIA branches did around the world. It held spectacular public parades, ran a school, acted as a mutual benefit society, enrolled members in UNIA auxiliaries.”
Afro-Improvement Association, British Guiana
A Georgetown based association, active in 1913 with Joseph Conway listed as its Secretary. No other data currently available
African Blood Brotherhood (ABB)
Founded by Cyril Briggs (born in St.Kitts) and other residents of the Caribbean. An independent black organisation with strong links to the world communist movement, the African Blood Brotherhood originating in Harlem USA in 1919, developed branches in several countries including British Guiana. In 1921, the ABB and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) held a mass public meeting in Georgetown, Guyana. (Ref: Daily Chronicle, April 20, 1921).
British Guiana (Negroes) Industrial Trading Company
This Company, established in Regent Street, Georgetown in 1919 in “order to run a grocery business which will be conducted by Negroes”. The Company, in its prospectus also indicated its objective of selling articles such as confectionary, vegetables, dry goods and also to deal in sheep and cattle.
Negro Progress Convention (NPC)
Established in 1922 for the “cultural advancement and development of African Guyanese” and was active up to the next decade, the 1930s. At its height the NPC developed some 40 branches spread over the country. For example, the Eversham branch of the NPC was birthed in 1924 and by 1929 held a claimed membership of 150. Donna Smith (1994) suggests that the idea of the organising the NPC “was probably influenced by Fredericks’s attendance at the first International Races Congress held in London in 1911.”
Organization leaders L-R: E.F Fredericks, Claude Denbow, Gertie Wood
Brotherhood Movement of British Guiana
This movement was founded in February 1928 by W.A Beckles. Walter Fraser was secretary of the movement. No other data currently available.
Afro-American Association and League of Coloured Races
This Association was established in September 1930, and its first President was Richard Nurse. One of the foundation points in the organisation’s charter was “to promote a bond of ‘Unity and Concord’ in the hearts and daily life of the peoples of African descent in British Guiana.” The Afro-American Association was one of the groups that participated in the Robertson Commission in 1954.
Circle Of Sunshine Workers
The Circle of Sunshine Workers was established in 1931 and remained active at least until 1940. The organization was led by Mrs. Gertie Wood, who served as President, with Mrs. N. Denbow as Secretary. Its headquarters were located at 110 Regent Road, Bourda, and it adopted the motto, “Feed My Lambs, Feed My Sheep,” reflecting its commitment to the welfare and moral development of children. The Circle combined charitable work with youth development and community service. Among its notable initiatives were the establishment of a Breakfast Centre for primary school children, the maintenance of a Sunday School, and the introduction of the 4-H Club, which promoted practical skills, character formation, and responsible citizenship.
League of Coloured Peoples (LCP)
Established in British Guiana in November 1937 (Daily Argosy report) the LCP was a branch of Dr Harold Moody’s organisation in England, a black oriented organisation representing civil servants, businessmen and middle-class interests. The local LCP, founded by Mrs Dulcina E Armstrong, Rev DW Hamilton Pollard, E.M Duke, S Cyrus, D.T. Richmond, S. N Collins, Mrs J.B Singh). In 1950 the LCP opened branches in Plaisance and Stewartville. The organisation was largely responsible for the celebrated visit of the Nigerian Prince Eze Oguerie in 1950.
African Descendants Material Welfare Mission
The President of this organisation in 1938 was John Lucie Griffith, the well known Guyanese political activist whose activity straddled several decades. (Ref: Guiana Review July 31, 1938)
New Negro Development Association
This organisation was founded in 1924 under the leadership of FC Archer. Its monthly meetings were held at 93 Middle Street. It was officially registered as the African Development Association on April 29, 1938. (Ref: Daily Chronicle May 5, 1938)
African Development Association
This association, a follow up to the New Negro Development Association was formally registered on April 29, 1938. The Association was active up to 1950 with the founder and President-Treasurer F.C Archer (among its other leaders was artist ER Burrowes) and owned an Auditorium in Charlotte Street, Georgetown (declared open in 1942). This was consistent with as the organisation was founded: “solely with the idea of erecting an Auditorium in which to carry on uplift work among the coloured peoples of British Guiana.”
African National(ist) League
This African association held a membership of 120 in 1952 with branches in Kitty (Greater Georgetown) and Buxton (East Coast Demerara). Its President was identified as Rockliffe P. Pitt. Another President of the League was Caroline Bourne (a former Garveyite).
African Welfare Convention
The African Welfare Convention, a successor group after the dissolution of the Negro Progress Convention. This organization was among those that helped host Marcus Garvey during his visit to Guyana in 1937.
British Guiana Development League
This organisation, headed by Felix Cummings was active between the early 1930s and 1950 and assisted in arranging the visit of Prince Eze Ogueri II to British Guiana. No other data is currently available.
Ethiopian Benevolent Friendly Society
This organisation was active in 1934. No other data currently available. (Ref: Daily Chronicle, February 11, 1934)
First of August Movement
Socio-cultural movement was founded before August 1, 1973, in Buxton, East Coast Demerara. Principals included Kimani Nehusi, Kwesi Nkofi, John Cromwell, Theo Morris, and Stafford Griffith.
Guyana Rastafarian Council
Organization representing Rastafarians in Guyana first established in 1985 under the Friendly Societies Act. The Council was resuscitated in 1999 with approximately 220 registered members.
Twelve Tribes of Israel
In 2017, Percy Bristol, was the overseer of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, a local Rastafarian organisation. (Ref: Guyana Chronicle, June 20, 2017)
House of Nyabinghi
This Rastafarian organisation is active in New Amsterdam, Guyana
Guyana Reparations Committee
The Guyana Reparations Committee (GRC)was established in 2013 as Guyana’s national committee to represent the country on the CARICOM Reparations Commission and to advance the cause of reparatory justice for the descendants of enslaved Africans and Indigenous peoples. The Committee forms part of the wider Caribbean reparations’ movement initiated by CARICOM Heads of Government in 2013. Among members of the Reparations committee in 2014 were Chairperson Eric Phillips, Dr. Winston McGowan, Jenny Daly, Jean La Rose, Deon Abrams, Ras Leon Saul, Noah Yahshuarun, Jonathan Adams, Ethel Marjorie, Dimitri Nicholson, Royston Peters, and Eric Welcome.
African Society for Cultural relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA)
The African Society for Cultural relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), an African Guyanese mass based organization founded in 1964. It was previously titled ASRE (African Society for Racial Equality) Its leading and founding members included its “Field Janitor” Eusi Kwayana (then Sydney King), Claude Denbow, Tacuma Ogunseye, Ngozi Moses, and Sase Omo. ASCRIA’s main aims included the “revival” of African culture in Guyana; to persuade African Guyanese to return to the land through cooperatives; and the establishment of links with independent African countries. ASCRIA was one of the groups that merged to establish the Working People’s Alliance in 1974.
Black Muslim Movement of Guyana
Also called Guyana Muslim Brotherhood. Group active in the early 1960s and led by Mullam Malik Shabazz. No other data available.
Pan African Secretariat
This organisation was established in 1970 and the “coordinating body operated primarily from Georgetown and New York. Its organisers included Eusi Kwayana, Ann Cook (later Tchaiko Kwayana), Harlem internationalist Mae Mallory…and African American expatriate Ndela Zolili, a physicist who had resettled in Guyana.” The Pan African Secretariat held their headquarters in Guyana up to May 1973 but was closed after two African-American members were deported by the Guyana Government. A subcommittee of the Pan-African Secretariat CRAC (Committee for the Removal of all Colonialism), survived the Secretariat. (Ref: Russell Rickford, “A Proxy Africa: Guyana, African Americans and the Radical 1970s.” 2026)
Pan African Movement
The Pan African Movement (Guyana Branch) had “its first meeting in December 1988, and the main item on its agenda was the letter coming out of Lagos calling for the Seventh Pan African Congress.” (Ref: Emancipation magazine, 2000-2001)
African Cultural Development Association (ACDA)
ACDA was founded in December 1992by a group of Afro-Guyanese committed to strengthening African identity, promoting cultural renewal, and advancing the economic and social development of African Guyanese. The organization was later registered as a non-profit body under the Friendly Societies Act. Since 1993, it has organized Guyana’s principal annual Emancipation Festival and has played a leading role in popularizing Kwanzaa, Black History Month, African Holocaust Day, and other commemorative observances. ACDA has also been a prominent advocate of reparatory justice in Guyana.
International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G)
The International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana (IDPADA-G) was formally established in 2018 as Guyana’s national civil society coordinating mechanism to implement the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024). It brought together African Guyanese organizations to promote the Decade’s three central themes of Recognition, Justice, and Development. According to the organization, it was launched as an umbrella body comprising approximately 78 affiliated organizations, many of which predated the Decade itself.
Ghana Day Committee
The Ghana Day Committee in Guyana organizes annual cultural celebrations highlighting the shared heritage, Pan-African history, and diplomatic ties between Guyana and Ghana.
Coalition for the 1823 Parade Ground Monument
The 1823 movement for Parade Ground in Guyana is “an advocacy and coalition effort by Afro-Guyanese and heritage groups, including the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) to reclaim Parade Ground in Georgetown as a sacred memorial site to honor freedom fighters executed after the 1823 Demerara slave revolt.”
Cuffy 250 Committee
This is an “organization of Guyanese individuals in Guyana and the United States founded in 2013 to mark the 250th anniversary of the 1763 Berbice slave revolt led by the national hero Cuffy.”
African Welfare Council
“A civil society organization in Guyana that advocates for the rights, culture, and historical recognition of African Guyanese.”
Canje Community Development Community
“a local civic group operating in the East Berbice-Corentyne region of Guyana that focuses on local social welfare, historical remembrance, and community-building.”
Rapac
The Revival Awareness and Perpetuation of African Culture is a “cultural and advocacy organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Afro-Guyanese history, traditions, and rights.”
Blak Reparations
An organisation led by Jonathan Adams that focuses on reparations for Guyanese of African descent.
Ambessa Foundation
A cultural and social organization in Guyana that “represents Afro-Guyanese communities and frequently collaborates with other local bodies …on national initiatives, diversity representations, and human rights issues.”
Eight of May Movement
This is a “local civic and political organization based in the Beterverwagting/Triumph community on the East Coast of Demerara, Guyana. The group’s name “honours May 8, 1840, the historic date when freed African ancestors pooled their savings to purchase Plantation Beterverwagting.”
Discussion