Bronze African Redemption Medal of the Universal Negro Improvement Association

Universal Negro Improvement Association, American, founded 1914 · ca. 1920

A bronze African Redemption medal produced for the Universal Negro Improvement Association (2011.57.18a) with leather strap (2011.57.18b). The medal itself is in the shape of an eight-pointed star with a bar across the top two points for affixing a leather strap. The front of the medal has a five pointed star in relief in the center with the words [AFRICAN / REDEMPTION] above and below the design. Each cardinal orientation has a letter of U.N.I.A. stamped in relief, with [U] on top, [N] on the PR, [I] on the PL, and [A] on the bottom. The back of the medal is bare except for the manufacturer's mark, which appears stamped at the center bottom. The leather strap is black and has a metal buckle clasp and several tooled holes for fastening.