Black labor leaders have played a critical role in shaping the fight for workers’ rights, racial equality, and economic justice throughout American history. These activists and organizers not only fought for better wages and working conditions but also challenged deeply entrenched systems of discrimination and exclusion. Their legacy continues to inspire movements for justice today.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most influential figures in labor history and their lasting contributions:
Martin Luther King Jr.: A Voice for Economic Justice
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely celebrated as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, but his advocacy for economic justice and labor rights was just as profound. He believed that civil rights and labor rights were deeply connected, arguing that true equality could never be achieved without economic fairness.
Tragically, he was assassinated in 1968 while in Memphis to support striking sanitation workers who were fighting for fair wages and safer working conditions. His death served as a painful reminder of the risks taken by those who dared to demand justice.
William “Bill” Lucy: The Man Behind “I AM A MAN!”
Bill Lucy was a lifelong champion of labor rights, particularly for Black workers. He joined the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) in 1956 and was elected its president in 1965.
In 1968, he played a key role in supporting Dr. King and the Memphis sanitation workers, who carried signs declaring, “I AM A MAN!”—a phrase that Lucy helped popularize. After King’s assassination, Lucy continued the fight, ultimately securing better wages and benefits for the workers. He went on to co-found the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, where he served as its first president until 2013.
Nellie Stone Johnson: A Political and Labor Pioneer
As a co-founder of Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, Nellie Stone Johnson was a groundbreaking leader who used political power to uplift workers, particularly African Americans and women.
Stone understood the importance of representation and worked tirelessly to ensure that labor issues remained at the forefront of political discussions. Her legacy is a testament to the role of political activism in securing lasting change for workers.
Mary McLeod Bethune: Educator and Labor Advocate
Mary McLeod Bethune dedicated her life to expanding opportunities for African Americans, particularly women. In 1904, she founded a school for Black girls in Florida, which later became Bethune-Cookman University.
Her influence extended beyond education—she was the first woman to serve as president of the National Association of Teachers in Colored Schools, an organization that would later become the National Education Association (NEA). Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she served as the Director of African American Affairs, ensuring Black workers had a voice in national labor policies. Additionally, she founded the National Council of Negro Women, amplifying the voices of Black women in the labor movement.
Dora Lee Jones: Fighting for Domestic Workers’ Rights
In 1934, Dora Lee Jones co-founded the Domestic Workers Union in Harlem to fight against the exploitation of Black domestic workers. Domestic labor, primarily performed by Black women, was undervalued and excluded from many labor protections.
The union’s efforts laid the foundation for broader advocacy for domestic workers’ rights and paved the way for future organizing efforts in the field.
Lucy Parsons: A Radical Force in the Labor Movement
Lucy Parsons was a fearless labor organizer who played a crucial role in launching the very first May Day celebration in 1886, demanding an eight-hour workday. She, along with her husband and children, led a massive march of 80,000 working people through the streets of Chicago, inspiring over 100,000 others to join in cities across the country. This demonstration gave birth to what is now known as International Workers’ Day.
Parsons also co-founded the International Workers of the World (IWW) and the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union, cementing her legacy as a fierce advocate for workers’ rights.
Nannie Helen Burroughs: Empowering Black Women Workers
Nannie Helen Burroughs was a dedicated advocate for Black women in the labor force. She founded the National Association of Wage Earners to address workplace inequalities and championed vocational education by organizing the National Trade School for Women and Girls. As a co-founder of the National League of Republican Colored Women, she worked to expose voter suppression and encourage Black women to vote.
Her appointment by President Herbert Hoover as Chairman of the Committee on Negro Housing demonstrated her broad influence in both labor and public policy.
Isaac Myers: Uniting Black Workers
As an early labor leader, Isaac Myers played a pivotal role in creating labor unions for Black workers who were often excluded from white-led unions. In 1868, he helped establish the Colored Caulkers Trade Union Society, and in 1869, he became the first president of the Colored National Labor Union, an alternative to the all-white National Labor Union.
His leadership provided a crucial foundation for Black workers seeking fair treatment and economic security.
Vicki Garvin: Bridging Labor and Civil Rights
Vicki Garvin was a labor activist and intellectual who fought tirelessly for the rights of Black workers. As the Research Director of the United Office and Professional Workers of America, she used data to support labor activism. In 1951, she co-founded the National Negro Labor Council, where she served as National Vice President and later as Executive Secretary of its New York City Chapter.
Garvin understood the intersection of labor and civil rights and worked to address both economic and racial injustices.
Cleveland Robinson: From Teacher to Labor Leader
Originally from Jamaica, Cleveland Robinson arrived in the U.S. in 1944 and quickly became involved in labor activism. He worked in a dry goods store before opening his own shop and later became Vice President of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Workers Union.
When District 65 (NY) separated from the national organization, he led the formation of the National Council of Distributive Workers of America, serving as its first president.
Hattie Canty: A Union Powerhouse in Las Vegas
As President of the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union Local 226 during the 1990s, Hattie Canty was a fierce advocate for fair wages and job security in the hospitality industry. In 1993, she founded the Culinary Training Academy, helping workers gain the skills needed to secure better-paying jobs in the industry.
Canty’s leadership helped elevate the role of Black women in labor unions.
A. Philip Randolph: A Trailblazer for Black Labor Rights
A. Philip Randolph was one of the most influential Black labor leaders in American history. In 1925, he organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first African American-led labor union. His efforts not only improved the conditions of Black railway workers but also laid the groundwork for future Black labor movements.
In 1965, he founded the A. Philip Randolph Institute, which continues to promote racial and economic justice.
Their Legacy Lives On
These labor leaders understood that economic justice was inseparable from racial and gender equality. They fought for better wages, safer working conditions, and the right to unionize—all fundamental issues that remain relevant today. Their courage and dedication continue to inspire new generations of activists, reminding us that the fight for workers’ rights is far from over.
As we honor their contributions, we recognize that the labor movement is not just history—it is an ongoing struggle for dignity, fairness, and justice in the workplace.
