Issac Myers was a pioneering activist and maritime worker who advocated for union rights in the 1800s and founded the Colored Caulkers Trade Union Society and the Colored National Labor Union, fighting for better working conditions and fair wages for Black workers.
Category: History
Posted inBlack History
From the AFRO Archives: A look at the work of A. Philip Randolph
Asa Philip Randolph, the first great Black union leader in America, founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and led the organization to secure better wages and working conditions for Black workers, including increasing the pay of Pullman Company porters from $14 to $22.50 per month.
Posted inCommentary
The soul of a nation: Love, hate and the legacy of Dr. King
By Mustafa AliWord in Black The chasm between the dream and the despair grows wider each day. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once ascended the pulpit at Riverside Church and offered a vision that sought to heal a fractured America. The transformational lessons that King shared with the country were heartfelt and powerful. He urged […]
Posted inEducation
Harvard under fire for slashing slavery initiative staff as Black history faces nationwide attacks
Harvard University has abruptly terminated staff involved in its Slavery Remembrance Program, raising questions about its commitment to addressing its history and legacy of slavery, amidst a national wave of setbacks to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Posted inNational News
More DEI fallout: Air Force scraps course that used videos of Tuskegee Airmen and female WWII pilots
The Air Force has removed training courses featuring videos of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots to comply with the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Posted inCivil Rights
Lawmakers reflect on the political strategy behind the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement as a moral compass, political architect, and strategist, leading to the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Posted inBooks
Three MLK- themed books to pick up and read in 2025
Recent books on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. offer readers a chance to reflect on the power of words and contemplation, as well as the transformative power of love and the ongoing battle for civil rights and equality.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
MLK Day 2025: Recommitting to the ‘noble struggle for equal rights’
The 7th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday D.C. Prayer Breakfast was held at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Southeast D.C., where more than 100 people gathered to reflect on the power of faith and prayer in the struggle for equal rights for Blacks.
Posted inCivil Rights
Decades later, King’s fight against poverty continues
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s efforts to stamp out poverty in America, particularly in the latter part of his life, are highlighted in the context of the ongoing struggle for economic equality in the US.
Posted inCivil Rights
The long struggle to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January to honor the civil rights leader’s legacy of equality, justice, and non-violent protest, with millions of people participating in service projects and reflecting on his life and legacy.
Posted inCivil Rights
Activists reflect on Dr.King’s legacy and methods of activism
Activists have different views on the effectiveness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent approach to activism, with some advocating for more disruptive methods and others emphasizing the importance of peaceful protests in advancing civil rights.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Breaking all the rules: A look at Martin Luther King ‘the troublemaker’
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered as a “good troublemaker” who fought for civil rights, voting rights, and justice, inspiring others to stand up for what is right and make a difference in their communities.