Recognizing Black History Month: African Americans and Labor

By Tamar Zere
Metro Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager

As we near the end of Black History Month, I want to take a moment to reflect on and honor the profound impact, influence and achievements of African Americans whose contributions have shaped the course of American history and continue to drive the ongoing fight for justice and equity.

Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founded by historian Carter G. Woodson, selects the Black History Month theme to spotlight essential aspects of Black history and culture.

The 2025 theme, “African Americans and Labor,” highlights the pivotal role of Black labor in shaping our nation.  This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids, the first Black union to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor, a significant milestone in the labor movement and Civil Rights Movement.

At Metro, we recognize that transit has long been at the intersection of economic opportunity, social change and civil rights, making this year’s theme especially relevant. From Rosa Parks‘ iconic act of defiance to the many Black transit workers who have shaped our industry, Black labor in transportation has been crucial in advancing racial and economic justice. Public transit has not only been a workplace for Black Americans but also a battleground for equality, where policies and practices have been challenged to ensure fair wages, better working conditions, career advancement and equal access to middle class lives.