A. Philip Randolph Institute Inc.

Overview

The A. Philip Randolph Institute Inc., commonly abbreviated as APRI, is a U.S.-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing social and economic justice through advocacy for racial equality and labor rights. Founded in 1965 by prominent civil rights figures A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, APRI continues the legacy of integrating the civil rights movement with the labor movement to achieve greater societal impact.

History

APRI was established following the landmark 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the subsequent passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. A. Philip Randolph, a renowned labor leader and former president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and Bayard Rustin, a key strategist behind the March on Washington, forged an alliance between the civil rights and labor movements to address shared goals of social freedom and economic justice[1][2].

Mission

APRI's mission is to empower black communities and trade unionists by promoting involvement in labor unions and addressing key societal issues such as employment, education, healthcare, and housing. APRI seeks to build stronger ties between labor and black communities, advocating for legislative changes at both state and federal levels[2][3].

Activities and Programs

• Annual Events: APRI chapters organize annual banquets to honor community leaders and support education initiatives through scholarship programs[1].
• Voter Education and Registration: APRI is involved in voter education projects and registration drives to increase political participation[1].
• Trade Union Internship Program: Offers young people opportunities to enter apprenticeships in various industries[1].
• Financial Literacy: Collaborates with initiatives like Master Your Card to develop financial education tools for financially underserved communities, promoting financial inclusion[3].

Leadership and Structure

APRI is currently led by President Clayola Brown, who has been at the helm since 2004. Brown is also a prominent figure in other national and international organizations[1][2]. APRI operates as a senior constituency group of the AFL-CIO and has chapters across 36 states[2].

Legal Actions

In recent years, APRI has been involved in significant legal actions, notably filing a lawsuit against the state of Ohio regarding voter roll purges, a case that was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court as Husted v. Randolph Institute in 2017[2].

[1] https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/philip-randolph-institute-1965/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Philip_Randolph_Institute [3] https://www.masteryourcardusa.org/our_partners/master-your-card-a-philip-randolph-institute/ [4] https://www.apri.org/history [5] https://www.apri.org/about-us