Balozi Harvey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Honorable
Balozi R.M.Z. Harvey
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Balozi R.M.Z. Harvey
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| Executive Director of Harlem Third World Trade Center | |
| Executive Director of Essex County Economic Development and Affirmative Action | |
| In office 1967–2016 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Alexander Harvey
January 26, 1940 East Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | December 28, 2016 (aged 76) East Hanover, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Spouse |
Karimu F. Hill Harvey
(m. 1979–2016) |
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| Parents |
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| Alma mater | I East Orange High School I United Nations International School |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
"Balozi" Robert Zayd Muhammad Harvey (born January 26, 1940 – died December 28, 2016) was an important American diplomat and activist. He worked to help African-American communities in the U.S. and built strong connections with countries in the Caribbean and Africa. In 1964, President Julius K. Nyerere of Tanzania gave him the special title "Balozi." This word means "ambassador" or "statesman" in the Swahili language.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Robert Alexander Harvey was born in East Orange, New Jersey, on January 26, 1940. His parents, Clifton and Willie Bell Harvey, raised him in the Roman Catholic faith. His father was a cook for Marcus Garvey, a famous activist. He taught young Balozi about his African heritage and the importance of his black identity. Balozi promised his father he would help African-Americans connect with their true African roots.
Balozi went to public schools in East Orange. He graduated from East Orange High School in 1957. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and served for four years. He left the Air Force in 1961.
Learning and Growth
After his military service, Balozi studied political science at Seton Hall University. He then attended the United Nations language school in New York. There, he learned several languages, including Swahili, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, and Zulu. In 1965, Harvey became a Muslim, joining The Nation of Islam. He later became a strong supporter of the holiday Kwanzaa. In 1979, he married Karimu F. Hill, who later became a judge. They had six children together.
Activism and Diplomacy Work
In 1961, Balozi started working with the Tanzanian Mission to the United Nations. He became involved in the Black Power Movement. This helped him see how the fight for civil rights in America was similar to the fight against colonialism in other parts of the world. He wanted to help people of African descent understand their heritage.
In 1964, Balozi visited Africa as a guest of President Julius K. Nyerere of Tanzania. This is when he received the special title "Balozi." A few years later, in 1966, he helped many African-Americans find professional jobs in Tanzania.
Community Leadership
In 1967, Balozi started the Black Community Development Organization. This group helped young African-Americans in Essex County, New Jersey, learn about Afrocentric values. That same year, he attended the first-ever Kwanzaa celebration in Los Angeles.
Balozi was also involved in local politics. In 1968, he joined a protest against building a new highway. This highway would have divided the Central Ward of Newark and forced many Black and Puerto Rican families to move. His efforts helped elect Kenneth A. Gibson as the first Black mayor of Newark in 1970. Balozi then worked for Mayor Gibson, handling international relations.
Working with the United Nations
From 1970 to 1973, Balozi worked as a representative for the Congress of African People at the United Nations. He later became a special liaison for the Mayor of Newark to the UN. In this role, he worked to increase trade between developing countries and Newark, New Jersey. He also served as the President of the Newark United Nations Association.
In 1982, Balozi became the executive director of the Harlem Third World Trade Institute (HTWTI) in New York City. This organization helped connect businesses in Harlem with international trade opportunities. During his 13 years there, the Institute helped with over $30 million in international business deals. Many world leaders and business people visited Harlem as guests of the Institute.
Honors and International Connections
In 1983, the United Nations African and Caribbean Diplomatic Corps honored Balozi. They recognized his 20 years of dedication to African unity and cooperation. He also became chairman of the Essex County Pan-African Cultural Society. Balozi was elected to the Board of Directors of the New York City Partnership, a group of business and community leaders working to improve New York City.
Balozi worked closely with many foreign leaders. He was even installed as King Nana Kablam I in the Village of Azzuretti in the Ivory Coast. He was also appointed as a special envoy by the President of Liberia. He became the North American Representative for Cheikh Moutada M’Backe, a spiritual leader from Senegal. Balozi was reportedly the only American to lead a mostly African Sufi organization.
In 1995, Balozi started Balozi & Associates (B&A), a company that helped businesses find opportunities in African and Caribbean countries. His company opened offices in New York City, London, Paris, and Liberia. He also helped develop a large satellite project in Africa.
From 2003 to 2007, Balozi served as the Director of the Office of Cultural Diversity and Affirmative Action in Essex County. He also became the executive director of the Essex County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in 2004.
Later Years and Legacy
Balozi Harvey lived in South Orange, New Jersey, from 1982. In his later years, he continued to build connections between people of African descent around the world. He worked to help African-American communities and African and Caribbean nations grow economically and politically. He also aimed to build relationships between people of all backgrounds.
Balozi retired from his diplomatic career in September 2007. Many activists, leaders, and diplomats from around the world gathered to honor him. In 2008, he took part in a symposium to discuss political relationships among people of African descent. He was also an honorary committee member for Amiri Baraka's 75th birthday celebration in 2009, alongside famous people like Maya Angelou and Danny Glover.
On April 26, 2016, the NAACP Chapter of the Oranges and Maplewood gave Balozi Harvey their Presidential Award.
Art Collection and Cultural Connection
On his first trip to Tanzania in 1961, Balozi Harvey discovered the rich art history of Africa. He made over 200 trips to the continent, collecting about 300 pieces of art and artifacts. His collection is considered one of the best private collections of African art in the United States. Many pieces were gifts from African leaders, while others he saved from being lost. His goal was to "preserve history for future generations."
Balozi wanted to help African-Americans connect with their ancestry. He believed his art collection could help preserve history and show the link between Africans living in America and African-Americans. He saw art and clothing as ways to express identity.
Death and Remembrance
Balozi Harvey passed away on December 28, 2016, at the age of 76. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said that "Few have done more to build bridges between African nations and the Black communities of America."
After his death, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. honored Balozi Harvey with a bronze plaque in Essex County's Legend Way. The plaque celebrates his life's work. It mentions his dedication to building cultural bridges, promoting economic development, and connecting people of all backgrounds. It also highlights his promise to his father to carry on the message of African heritage.
