A. Philip Randolph Institute

Founded in 1965 by A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, the A. Philip Randolph Institute facilitated the bridging between the civil rights movement and the labor movement. These cofounders concurrently considered fighting for civil rights and workers’ rights. By 1965, Randolph had established himself as a prominent leader among African American laborers. Rustin, a longtime partner of Randolph, had also organized and led civil and labor rights activism, including the March on Washington in 1963.

The collaboration between the civil rights movement and the labor movement was based on the idea that African Americans and workers of any color shared similar struggles and goals: attainment of freedom and justice. This alliance had proven to be effective in the late 1950s and the early 1960s, culminating in the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This historic case served as validation to advance Randolph's and Rustin's vision for the black–labor alliance.

Currently led by President Clayora Brown, the institute has grown across the United States, totaling over 90 local chapters in almost 30 states. Brown became the president in August 2004. She also serves on the boards for Workers United, Amalgamated Bank, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Business Response to AIDS/Labor Response to AIDS, and other organizations. She was also appointed to the National Commission on Employment Policy by former President Bill Clinton and to the New York State Workforce Investment Board by former Governor George Pataki.

Under Brown's leadership, the institute has nine focus areas: civil rights, strong antidiscrimination measures, and affirmative action; policies to promote a decent wage, high growth, and full-employment economy; labor law reform and worker health and safety protections; decent minimum living standards for all, including antipoverty programs, a fair minimum wage, and a comprehensive safety net; universal, affordable health care; family leave and child care; progressive and fair tax policies; international workers’ rights, and fair trade education and training programs; and education and training programs. All these programs are implemented at different levels, ranging from local communities to the White House. The institute and its members have helped grassroots efforts particularly through its local chapters, which include youth and college chapters, and at the federal level through lobbying activities.

Many of the activities the institute leads are pertinent to workers, immigrants, and those who continue to struggle to achieve political and social [Page 96]equality. In 2009 and 2010, the institute urged its members to support the legislation that would extend emergency loans to the American auto industry. The institute also continues to be vocal about its support for the health care reform that would enable universal health care. Similarly, it was committed to representing the interest of workers in Wisconsin when the state faced the elimination of public employee rights for collective bargaining. In Miami, Florida, the institute joined local organizations to protest outside the Department of Homeland Security to demand changes in immigration policy for Haitians. African American LGBT Work Place Training is another resource that the institute launched in 2010 in hope of establishing a fair working environment for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) laborers.

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