We are currently seeking new designs for the classic slogan, "Uhuru Means Freedom". This is an exiting opportunity to contribute your art skills to the African Liberation Movement! The winning design will be featured as a new product in our shop, and will contribute to the liberated, African working-class led economy that Black Star Industries is building all over the world to continue the legacy of Marcus Garvey and put power back in the hands of the African working-class.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 11:59pm EST
APPLY HERE: tinyurl.com/UhuruMeansFreedom
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS:
Can be color or black/white
It should have an African theme with an interesting font
Inspiration such as: traditional mud-cloth or batik patterns, African art, revolutionary & anti-colonial history, the Red-Black-Green Garvey flag, and the bold messaging and images that the Uhuru Movement is known for
Eye-catching, yet easy to read
Open to artists of all backgrounds, ages and locations internationally
TIMELINE:
Submission Form opens: Monday, April 21, 2025
Deadline to submit: Friday, May 23, 2025, 11:59pm EST
Artists will be notified by: Monday, June 9th
New shirt will drop: mid-June, available for sale at uhuruplanet.com
BENEFITS: We will promote you as the winning artist across all our social media channels, newsletter and other Uhuru Movement news channels. You can be proud knowing that you contributed to Reparations Apparel. And of course you will get a free t-shirt made with your art!
BACKGROUND HISTORY: "Uhuru" is a Swahili word that translates to "freedom". It was a war-cry for African independence that was popularized in the 1950s by the Mau Mau / Kenyan Land & Freedom Army as they fought back against British imperialism in the streets.
In the 1960s, Malcolm X was inspired by the anti-colonial Mau Mau and began using the phrase "Uhuru" as a revolutionary greeting with Assata Shakur and others in the black power movement of the 60s. Around this time, the "Uhuru Movement" was forming and began publishing The Burning Spear Newspaper in 1968, founded by Omali Yeshitela. In 1972, the African People's Socialist Party (APSP) was founded by and is led to this day still by Chairman Omali Yeshitela.
Today in 2025, the APSP leads all the work of the Uhuru Movement internationally, which consists of over 50+ organizations, businesses and institutions all building towards an independent, anti-colonial African economy where African/ black people have the ability to feed, clothe and house themselves. The phrase "Uhuru" is used as a greeting "to keep freedom on our minds at all times". It is with this background history that we are seeking a new design to represent this powerful slogan, "UHURU MEANS FREEDOM"
Uhuru Planet Reparations Apparel represents one of these 50+ Uhuru Movement institutions. It is with great honor that we open up this design competition to our supportive base so that you can be part of the Uhuru legacy!
ABOUT US:
Uhuru Planet Reparations Apparel is an institution of Black Star Industries under the leadership of the African People's Socialist Party. Our mission is "To forward the culture of white reparations to African people" and our sales sustain the work of the black-led community programs of the Uhuru Movement. We have almost 40 designs promoting reparations to African people and anti-colonial struggle. Check out our full inventory here: uhuruplanet.com/tshirts
QUESTIONS? Please contact us at info@uhuruplanet.com
We look forward to seeing your designs!