A. Philip Randolph Institute
 | |
| Full name | A. Philip Randolph Institute |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1965 |
| Head union | Clayola Brown, president |
| Affiliation | AFL-CIO |
| Office location | Washington, D.C. |
| Country | United States |
| Website |
apri |
The A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) is an organization for African-American trade unionists.
History
Following passage of the Voting Rights Act, APRI was co-founded in 1965 by A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, to forge 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, 1,000 black schoolchildren were arrested for attempting to march in front of an Alabama county courthouse. That same year, the A. Philip Randolph Institute was founded. APRI's mission has been to fight for racial equality and economic justice. The role of 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", and together they would support the trade union movement. APRI has 150 chapters in 36 states. APRI members support political, community education, lobbying, and labor support activities.
Current status
APRI is currently 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. Brown also serves on the boards of Amalgamated Bank and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Business Response to AIDS/Labor Response to AIDS. She 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., 2002–03).
APRI seeks 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.