02/03/2025
ʜᴏɴᴏʀɪɴɢ ᴍᴀʀᴠᴀ ʟᴀʏɴᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜ: ᴀ ᴛʀᴀɪʟʙʟᴀᴢᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴇᴍᴘᴏᴡᴇʀᴍᴇɴᴛ
Marva Layne is the granddaughter of one of the thousands of Caribbean craftsmen who played a pivotal role in constructing the Panama Canal and the daughter of a craftsman who helped maintain its operations. Her lineage is one of resilience, hard work, and perseverance—values that she has carried forward in her own mission to uplift and unite her community.
As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the remarkable contributions of leaders like Marva, who dedicate their lives to preserving history, fostering education, and strengthening cultural bonds. As the founder of the Houston Association of Panamanians (HAP), she has worked tirelessly for decades to bring people together and ensure that the rich history, traditions, and contributions of Caribbean Panamanians continue to thrive for generations to come.
Through HAP, Marva has developed impactful programs that empower young leaders, preparing them for the workforce while instilling a deep sense of community responsibility. Her passion extends beyond leadership development—she fosters unity through cultural events, historical education, and initiatives that raise awareness about the deep-rooted heritage of her community.
Marva’s unwavering commitment to education and cultural preservation has created a ripple effect, ensuring that knowledge, pride, and history are passed down from one generation to the next. Her work reminds us that understanding our past is the key to shaping a stronger, more connected future. This Black History Month, we celebrate her dedication, resilience, and the powerful legacy she continues to build.
Marva has been married for 60 years to her husband, Terrence Layne.
https://www.houstonpanamanians.com/