As America prepares to celebrate Black History Month, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has announced the theme: “African Americans and Labour.” This theme highlights the profound and varied ways Black people have shaped the workforce, from the forced labour of enslaved Africans to their ongoing contributions in diverse fields. By examining the intersections between work, race, and culture, this theme sheds light on how Black workers, activists, and leaders have had a pivotal role in shaping both the economy and the social fabric of the United States.
Labour has always been central to the African American experience. From the very beginning, when enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas to work the land for European colonial powers, Black people have been fundamental to the development of the economy. The contributions of African Americans—whether in agriculture, industry, or later in civil rights movements—have laid the foundation for much of the country’s growth. Despite facing significant challenges such as racial discrimination, superexploitation, and wage disparities, Black workers have consistently pushed for justice and equality, reshaping industries, communities, and political landscapes along the way.
The 2025 Black History Month theme places a particular focus on the role of African Americans in labour movements. Over the years, Black workers have fought for better wages, job security, and working conditions. This struggle for justice is exemplified by A. Philip Randolph, who founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids in 1925. This was the first Black union to receive a charter from the American Federation of Labour (AFL). Randolph’s efforts helped establish a platform for Black workers, particularly in the transportation industry, where workers were often subjected to poor working conditions. Through the Brotherhood, Black workers secured better pay and job security, setting a precedent for future Black-led labour movements.
Randolph’s leadership had a lasting impact on the labour movement, advocating for both racial and economic justice. His activism laid the foundation for later civil rights efforts, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s focus on economic justice. In the 1960s, King incorporated the need for economic justice into the broader civil rights agenda, culminating in his Poor People’s Campaign in 1967, which sought to address economic inequality, job discrimination, and poverty.
The theme “African Americans and Labour” also encourages reflection on the various forms of labour and their significance within Black communities. During slavery, African Americans performed essential labour in agricultural sectors, particularly in the Southern United States, producing crops such as cotton, tobacco, and rice. This unpaid work was critical to the prosperity of both the Southern economy and the broader United States. After the abolition of slavery, many African Americans became sharecroppers or farm labourers, continuing to face an economic system that largely worked against their advancement.
In addition to agricultural work, African Americans made vital contributions to industries in cities and other areas of the economy. Black women, in particular, have been at the forefront of both the workforce and community activism. Figures such as Addie Wyatt, a prominent labour leader, were crucial in advocating for Black workers’ rights. Wyatt was deeply involved in the United Packinghouse Workers of America (UPWA) and fought for better working conditions for women of colour, particularly in areas such as job security and wage increases. Her work was pivotal in advancing the labour movement for Black women and promoting economic justice.
Throughout history, African American workers have contributed across a wide range of professions—from skilled trades to the arts, military service to community building. In addition to the physical labour performed by Black Americans, many have been leaders in social movements, advocating for better rights, social justice, and racial equality. Their efforts have been instrumental in shaping the social and political landscape, both within the United States and across the African diaspora.
The role of Black workers in shaping the built environment of the United States is often overlooked but deserves recognition. Many of the nation’s most iconic architectural landmarks, particularly in the South, were constructed by Black labourers, whose contributions were essential to the development of the country. Despite working under exploitative and unsafe conditions, Black workers helped to build much of the infrastructure that continues to define American cities today.
This theme, “African Americans and Labour,” is a powerful reflection of how Black labour has shaped the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the United States. It calls on us to acknowledge the countless ways Black workers have contributed to the nation’s growth and prosperity, often in the face of oppression and adversity. By honouring the history of Black labour, we are reminded that the struggle for economic justice, dignity, and equality is ongoing. It is a reminder that the fight for a fair and equitable society, where the contributions of every worker are valued, continues to be a vital part of the Black experience and the broader pursuit of justice.