A. Philip Randolph Institute
Encyclopedia
The A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) is an organization for African American
trade union
ists.
, APRI was co-founded in 1965 by A. Philip Randolph
and Bayard Rustin
. APRI forged an alliance between the civil rights movement
and the labor movement.
Their efforts got them on the master list of Nixon political opponents
.
In 1965, 1000 black school children were arrested for attempting to march in front of an Alabama county courthouse. The same year A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), a national organization for black trade unionists, was founded. APRI's mission has been to fight for racial equality and economic justice. The role APRI was to work with black trade unionists, and build a bridge between labor and black communities. APRI was also the spearhead for an organization called the "Black Alliance", together they would support the trade union movement. Today APRI has 150 chapters in 36 states, APRI members support political, community education, lobbying, and labor support activities.
The Philip Randolph Institute seek structural changes through American democratic process. From courthouse to state house to the White House, APRI members promote social, labor, economic, legislative and political issues.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
ists.
History
Following passage of the Voting Rights ActVoting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States that outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the U.S....
, APRI was co-founded in 1965 by A. Philip Randolph
A. Philip Randolph
Asa Philip Randolph was a leader in the African American civil-rights movement and the American labor movement. He organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly Negro labor union. In the early civil-rights movement, Randolph led the March on Washington...
and Bayard Rustin
Bayard Rustin
Bayard Rustin was an American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, pacifism and non-violence, and gay rights.In the pacifist Fellowship of Reconciliation , Rustin practiced nonviolence...
. APRI forged an alliance between the civil rights movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
and the labor movement.
Their efforts got them on the master list of Nixon political opponents
Master list of Nixon political opponents
A master list of Nixon political opponents was compiled to supplement the original Nixon's Enemies List of 20 key people considered opponents of President Richard Nixon. The master list was compiled by Charles Colson's office and sent in memorandum form to John Dean. Dean later provided this...
.
In 1965, 1000 black school children were arrested for attempting to march in front of an Alabama county courthouse. The same year A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), a national organization for black trade unionists, was founded. APRI's mission has been to fight for racial equality and economic justice. The role APRI was to work with black trade unionists, and build a bridge between labor and black communities. APRI was also the spearhead for an organization called the "Black Alliance", together they would support the trade union movement. Today APRI has 150 chapters in 36 states, APRI members support political, community education, lobbying, and labor support activities.
Current status
Today, APRI is led by President Clayola Brown who began serving as the national president of A.Philip Randolph Institute, located in Washington, D.C., in August 2004. Ms. Brown has a tremendous commitment for her community and the many boards she currently serves. Ms. Brown serves on boards for organizations like Amalgamated Bank, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Business Response to AIDS/Labor Response to AIDS, etc. Ms. Brown also was appointed to the National Commission on Employment Policy by President Bill Clinton, and appointed a member of the New York State Workforce Investment Board by Gov. George Pataki (Black Leadership Forum,Inc.,2002–2003).- Civil Rights
- Policies
- Labor Laws
- Decent minimum wage
- Universal, affordable health care
- Family leave and child care
- International workers' rights and fair trade
- Education and training
The Philip Randolph Institute seek structural changes through American democratic process. From courthouse to state house to the White House, APRI members promote social, labor, economic, legislative and political issues.