VIA celebrates Black History Month
VIA celebrates the labor of all Black Americans who have made an impact in the community and in our organization. Today, and every day, we thank the VIA team members whose dedication to our mission — to connect our community — goes well beyond their role at VIA..
In keeping with the 2025 theme “African Americans and Labor,”, VIA recognizes African Americans’ accomplishments through labor, the impact of labor on Black people’s lives, and how collaborative work makes us stronger.
The topic is especially meaningful to transit agencies and calls to mind our mission of fostering opportunity and strong connections, and enhancing the quality of life in our region.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, founded by its first president, A. Philip Randolph. It was the first Black union to receive a charter from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and later entered the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). Randolph advocated on behalf of his union membership and fought against discrimination in the labor movement and for civil rights.
Transit has been pivotal for labor and in the Civil Rights Movement.
Rosa Parks is the most recognizable figure in this respect, but there were many who struggled mightily to gain equal access and equal dignity, underlining the importance of public transportation.
Black History Month invites reflection not only on those who have struggled for equal rights, but also on pioneers who shaped the field of public transit like Garrett A. Morgan, who invented the improved traffic signal, and Arcola Philpott, the first Black and female streetcar operator.
