A. Philip Randolph

American civil rights leader and labor organizer

Asa Philip Randolph (April 15, 1889 – May 16, 1979) was a prominent American labor leader and civil rights activist. He was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement and played a significant role in the labor movement, particularly in organizing the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly African-American labor union.

Early Life and Education

Randolph was born in Crescent City, Florida, to a minister and a seamstress. He was educated in the public school system and later attended the Cookman Institute in Jacksonville, Florida, where he excelled in his studies. In 1911, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting but soon became involved in the socialist movement and labor organizing.

Labor Organizing

In 1925, Randolph founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), which aimed to improve the working conditions and wages of African-American porters working for the Pullman Company. After a long struggle, the BSCP became the first African-American labor union to sign a collective bargaining agreement with a major U.S. corporation in 1937.

Civil Rights Activism

Randolph was a key organizer of the March on Washington Movement in 1941, which pressured President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802, banning discrimination in the defense industries during World War II. This was a significant victory for the civil rights movement and set a precedent for future actions.

In 1963, Randolph was one of the principal organizers of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. This event was pivotal in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Legacy

Randolph's work laid the foundation for the civil rights advancements of the 1960s and beyond. He is remembered as a tireless advocate for racial equality and workers' rights. His efforts helped to break down racial barriers in the labor movement and inspired future generations of activists.

Also see

• Civil Rights Movement
• Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
• March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Executive Order 8802