This book describes how the first African American mass political organization was able to gain support from throughout the African diaspora to finance the Black Star Line, a black merchant marine that would form the basis of an enclave economy after World War I. Ramla M. Bandele explores the concept of diaspora itself and how it has been applied to the study of émigré and other ethnic networks.

In characterizing the historical and political context of the Black Star Line, Bandele analyzes the international political economy during 1919-25 and considers the black politics of the era, focusing particularly on Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association for its creation of the Black Star Line. She offers an in-depth case study of the Black Star Line as an instance of the African diaspora attempting to link communities and carry out a transnational political and economic project. Arguing that ethnic networks can be legitimate actors in international politics and economics, Bandele also suggests, however, that activists in any given diaspora do not always function as a unit.

| Contents Preface 1. A New Take on an Old Term: Operationalizing the Diaspora Concept 2. An Exploration of the Relevant Literature 3. Still Waters: Understanding the Political Economy of the 1920s 4. Home Dock: United States and the BSL 5. Charting the Black Atlantic: The UNIA and its Location in African-American Politics 6. Shipping Politics: The Case of the Black Star Line 7. Stormy Seas: Government Obstruction of BSL Transnational Goals 8. Marooned: The Rise and Fall of the Black Star Line 9. Clear Waters: Implications for the Study of Diasporas Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index | "A fine addition to the field of diaspora studies and a necessary read for those interested in developing their knowledge of Garvey and the UNIA."—The Historian

"An important contribution to our knowledge of diasporas, resistance, and the fascinating confluence of events that resulted in Marcus Garvey's appearance on the stage of history."—Journal of American Ethnic History

"Bandele's work is a blast of fresh air, grounded in empirical evidence and clearly written. Black Star makes an original and important contribution to several areas of scholarship, including black studies and political science."—Sundiata Keita Cha-Jua, author of America's First Black Town, Brooklyn, Illinois, 1830-1915
|Ramla M. Bandele is an assistant professor of political science at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.