This year marks the 100th year anniversary of Black History Month - a time dedicated to honoring the contributions, achievements and influence of Black People in America.

Black history and the history of the Labor Movement are deeply intertwined.

To fully understand Labor History, we must recognize the powerful and lasting impact Black People have had on Labor throughout history.

The most prominent and well-known figure is A. Philip Randolph, who created the first Black-led Union recognized by a major corporation for Black Workers who were often excluded or segregated from other Unions.

His Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters won its first contract 12 years after its inception - making history as the very first national contract that was signed by a Black Union.

Randolph’s vision and accomplishments during his tenure in leadership from the 1920s through the 1960s essentially laid the foundation for other Black Leaders to continue to reimagine what power could look like in Labor Unions and - more importantly - who gets to hold that power internally.

Doors opened for people like Addie Wyatt, who joined her Union - the United Packinghouse Workers of America - in the 1940s, eventually becoming International Vice President, one of the highest-ranking roles a Black Woman held in the U.S. Labor Movement in the 1960s.

Wyatt’s leadership was trailblazing because she helped normalize Black Women in Executive Union Leadership roles by rising through the ranks and elevating gender equity as an issue alongside Labor and Civil Rights.

As part of her legacy, in 1974 Wyatt co-founded the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), an organization that created national space for Women in the Labor Movement to build collective power and continues to challenge gender issues within Unions and workplaces today.

Black Leadership in Labor marked many notable firsts, but Black leaders were more than symbolic figures.

Black Leadership in Labor shifted structures, systems and even strategy. 

John Sturdivant became the American Federation of Government Employees’ (AFGE) first Black President in 1988.

During Sturdivant’s tenure, he was able to drastically change the pending collapse of our Federation during a time when many Unions were experiencing a Membership decline.

His strategy, innovative ideas and unwavering commitment not only stabilized the Federation, but strengthened it for generations to come.

The Labor Movement would not be what is today if it was not for the endless contributions Black Leaders of yesterday and today have made to positively shape it.

We are thankful for the Black Labor Leaders who fought for dignity, reimagined power, and built institutions strong enough for the next generation which ultimately created space for leaders like Everett Kelley, Eric Bunn Sr., Dr. Kendrick Roberson - and so many other Black leaders across the Federation to rise and lead.

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: AFGE | Black History Month Is a Time to Recognize Labor Leaders