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Bob Marley Movement of Jah People, Inc. is a Marley family company formed back in 1978 for the purpose of a fan club and to distribute Bob Marley and the Wailers merchandise.  The music legend personally caused the formation of the Movement for his mother in February 1978.  Originally named “Bob Marley and the Wailers Fan Club, Inc.,” the company’s purpose was to operate a fan club and to manufacture and supply Bob Marley & the Wailers souvenirs and merchandise including tie died shirts, posters, pictures, towels, books, and various other branded items.

For years, the family company was run by Marley’s half-brother Richard Booker and Cedella “Mama Marley” Booker who is the mother of both Bob Marley and Richard Booker.  Booker and his mother felt that it was only fitting that when Bob Marley passed in 1981, that the company that had served as his fan club pay tribute to his memory in song and charity by the presentation of the annual festival.  The Nine Mile Reggae Music Festival which takes place in Miami in March of every year is operated by Bob Marley Movement of Jah People, Inc., and is reported to have provided one million meals to hungry families.

I recently came across a Jamaica Gleaner story dated June 1, 1979 regarding the organization’s donation to a local bakery.  I share this because it speaks to Bob Marley’s charitable giving, which is not often spoken about.