How Nagast Is Using UNIA Tactics & Crowdfunding to Empower Black Business

When Marcus Garvey said, "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots," he wasn't just talking about remembering where we came from: he was laying the blueprint for economic liberation. At Nagast Footwear, we're taking that blueprint and combining it with modern crowdfunding to create something powerful: a Black business that's built by the community, for the community.

The UNIA Playbook: More Than Just History Lessons

The Universal Negro Improvement Association wasn't just about speeches and parades. Garvey and the UNIA created a masterclass in collective economics that's still relevant today. They understood something fundamental: Black business success isn't just about individual wins: it's about lifting the entire community.

Back in the 1920s, the UNIA raised millions of dollars (that's serious money even by today's standards) through what we'd now call crowdfunding. They sold shares in the Black Star Line steamship company to everyday people: barbers, domestics, laborers: who bought into the vision of economic independence. Sound familiar?

The UNIA's approach had three core principles that we're applying at Nagast:

1. Mass Participation Over Elite Funding Instead of begging banks or wealthy investors, Garvey went directly to the people. Small investments from thousands of supporters created something bigger than any single check from a traditional investor.

2. Economic Self-Determination Every dollar spent within the community stays in the community. When Black people own and support Black businesses, we're building wealth that circulates among us instead of flowing out to other communities.

3. Pan-African Unity Through Commerce The UNIA connected African descendants worldwide through business. Today, that same spirit drives our vision of connecting Black communities globally through footwear that represents our shared heritage and pride.

Why Crowdfunding Is the Modern UNIA

Crowdfunding platforms have democratized investment in a way that would make Marcus Garvey proud. Instead of needing connections to venture capitalists or bank loan officers who might not understand our vision, Black businesses can now raise capital directly from the community.

Here's the beautiful thing about crowdfunding for Black business: it's completely legal, regulated, and transparent. We're not talking about sketchy schemes or pyramid structures. Modern crowdfunding follows strict SEC guidelines that protect both businesses and investors. It's the legitimate, regulated version of what the UNIA was trying to do a century ago.

When we launch our crowdfunding campaign, every supporter becomes a stakeholder in Nagast's success. That's not just feel-good marketing: that's real economic empowerment. Your investment helps us grow, and our growth creates returns for the community that believed in us.

The Nagast Approach: Walking in Garvey's Footsteps

At Nagast Footwear, we're not just selling sneakers: we're selling a vision of what Black business can be when we work together. Our crowdfunding strategy takes the UNIA playbook and updates it for 2025.

Community-First Capital Raising Instead of chasing traditional investors who might not share our values, we're turning to the community first. Every person who backs our crowdfunding campaign becomes part of the Nagast family. You're not just buying shoes: you're investing in Black economic independence.

Transparent Financial Goals Just like Garvey published financial reports in the Negro World newspaper, we're committed to complete transparency about how we use every dollar raised through crowdfunding. Our community deserves to know exactly where their investment goes: from product development to manufacturing to marketing.

Global Black Network Building The UNIA understood that Black liberation isn't limited by borders. Our crowdfunding campaign will connect supporters from Atlanta to London to Lagos, creating a global network of people invested in Black business success.

More Than Money: Building Generational Wealth

This isn't just about raising funds to launch a sneaker line. We're creating a model for how Black businesses can build sustainable, community-owned wealth that lasts for generations.

When you participate in our crowdfunding campaign, you're doing more than pre-ordering shoes. You're:

• Building Community Wealth: Every dollar invested stays within the Black community and creates value that we control
• Creating Jobs: Our success means more employment opportunities for Black workers, designers, marketers, and entrepreneurs
• Inspiring the Next Generation: Young Black entrepreneurs need to see that community-funded business success is possible

As Marcus Garvey said, "If you have no confidence in yourself, you are twice defeated in the race of life." Our crowdfunding approach is all about building that confidence: showing that we don't need approval from outsiders to create successful businesses.

The Legal Framework: Doing It Right

Let's be crystal clear: our crowdfunding campaign operates within full legal compliance. We're using established platforms that follow Securities and Exchange Commission regulations. This isn't about cutting corners or finding loopholes: it's about using legitimate, regulated pathways to community ownership.

Modern equity crowdfunding allows everyday people to invest in businesses they believe in, with proper legal protections and disclosure requirements. It's everything the UNIA wanted to do, but with 100 years of legal and regulatory advancement backing it up.

From Vision to Reality: The Nagast Timeline

Our crowdfunding campaign represents more than just a funding round: it's the foundation of a Black business that will grow with community support. Here's how we're making it happen:

Phase 1: Community Education and Engagement We're not launching blind. We're building awareness about our mission, connecting with potential supporters, and explaining how community-owned Black business creates lasting wealth.

Phase 2: Crowdfunding Launch When we go live, every supporter becomes a stakeholder in Nagast's future. Small investments from hundreds or thousands of people create the capital we need to compete with major footwear brands.

Phase 3: Production and Growth With community backing, we can focus on creating exceptional products instead of constantly chasing funding. Every pair of Nagast shoes represents community ownership and Black pride.

Your Role in the Movement

The UNIA succeeded because everyday people bought into something bigger than themselves. Marcus Garvey didn't build the largest Black organization in history by waiting for permission: he did it by showing people a vision they could invest in.

That's exactly what we're doing at Nagast Footwear. We're not asking for charity or handouts. We're offering the opportunity to own a piece of something that could transform how Black businesses approach funding and community building.

When our crowdfunding campaign launches, you'll have the chance to be part of a movement that connects Marcus Garvey's economic vision to modern Black business success. Whether you invest $50 or $500, you're contributing to a model that other Black entrepreneurs can follow.

Visit our website to stay updated on our crowdfunding launch. Follow our journey as we prove that community-funded Black business isn't just possible: it's the future of how we build wealth that stays in our hands.

The UNIA showed us that when Black people unite around economic goals, we can achieve incredible things. Nagast Footwear is ready to prove that lesson is just as powerful today as it was a century ago.