Caribbean Immigration in New York City
In the early 1900s, the largest numbers of black immigrants were English-speaking Caribbean people
(West Indians) who settled in the Northeast, mainly in New York City. These immigrants were only
1.3 percent of the NYC population and faced intense racism, but by 1923 they became a 12.7
percent of the city’s population.
New York City also witnessed the institution building of Caribbean blacks. The majority of
Caribbean’s were Anglican, and after being denied entry into white Episcopal churches, they formed
Black Episcopalian churches such as Saint Augustine and Christ Church Cathedral in Brooklyn. In
Harlem, West Indian Methodist and Episcopalian churches thrived. West Indians also developed
non-religious institutions with the purpose of fostering mutual benefits societies. The intention of
these organizations was financially and socially assists "newcomers" or recent immigrants.
Membership was based on the immigrant’s country of origin. Some of these groups include the
Bermuda Benevolent Association (founded 1897), the Sons and Daughters of Barbados, Trinidad
Benevolent Association, and the Grenada Mutual Association. Perhaps the most well-known
Caribbean emigrant of the 20th century was Jamaican-born Marcus Garvey who came to America
and established his organization, Universal Negro Improvement Association (U.N.I.A.). This
organization was based on Black Nationalism that promoted the economic development of blacks.
Garvey’s program gained widespread support of the many Caribbean and native-born blacks
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_immigration_to_New_York_City, assessed May 20, 2017).