The A. Philip Randolph Institute ("APRI") announced that it will join with the AFL-CIO and lend its full support to the initiative launched by the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum (APRPPM) to erect a National African American Labor History Monument on the museum’s grounds in Chicago, Ill. The monument will honor and celebrate the many contributions of African Americans to the American labor movement history in the United States. The preliminary design is a large 12-ft. x 20-ft. multi-media sculpture that will be cast in bronze and feature key historical figures and events in African American labor history. The idea of creating the monument was conceived by Lyn Hughes, founder of the APRPP Museum. A National Steering Committee has been established to oversee and coordinate the completion of this historic project.
Norman Hill, APRI’s president, was asked and has agreed to serve as a member of the Monument’s National Steering Committee. "I am honored to accept the invitation of the A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum to serve on the Steering Committee for the Project," said Mr. Hill.
Both organizations — APRI and APRPPM — though unaffiliated, are named in honor of A. Philip Randolph, the late founder and long-time president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. "After a period of regrettable misunderstanding, we look forward to this project bringing APRI and the APRPP Museum together," said Hill. " We want the entire labor community to join with us in supporting this effort to recognize the historical significance of these courageous men and women."
APRPPM is a 501C3 independent African American Labor History museum, located in Chicago. Lyn Hughes founded the museum in 1995. It is the first museum in the country dedicated to celebrating and honoring the contributions made by African Americans to the American labor movement. Edward D. Lewis, Jr., a member of International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) and a member of the labor community for over 30 years, is the president of the Chicago based museum.
APRI is a national non-profit organization that promotes active participation in the labor movement and in the political process by African Americans and members of other minority groups. The Monument Steering Committee, chaired by APRPP Museum founder Lyn Hughes, will be made up of national labor leaders, business leaders, authors, and labor historians and will be responsible for overseeing and monitoring all aspects of the project. Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, is the honorary chairman, and Richard Womack of the AFL-CIO, Diane Babineaux, and Ed Lewis are the committee’s co-chairs.
"We are excited about this opportunity to partner with AFL-CIO and APRI on this timely project," said Lyn Hughes. "There is nothing that exists that is inclusive of all African American labor contributions anywhere in the country. I am honored and humbled that I will leave as a part of my legacy, this major contribution to the long overdue recognition of African American contributions to America's labor history." The designer of the proposed monument is Preston Jackson, a nationally recognized African American artist and sculptor. Mr. Jackson is also a resident instructor at The Art Institute of Chicago.
The United Steelworkers (USW) is a founding supporter of APRI. USW International Vice President Leon Lynch serves as APRI’s Chairman of the Board.
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