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The AFT Has Long Been an Advocate for African Americans

In celebration of Black History Month this year, we'd like to take a look at the important role that one of the most influential groups of working people in the United States has had in the fight for equality for African Americans—teachers. From its beginning in 1916, the AFT has been on the forefront of organizations fighting for equality for African Americans in the U.S.

AFT formed in 1916 in Chicago. It was one of the first educational organizations to allow African American members. In 1918, the federation called for equal pay for African American teachers, the election of African Americans to local school boards and for compulsory school attendance for African American children. Before it had even held its second convention, AFT issued its ninth local charter to the all-black Armstrong-Dunbar High School teachers in Washington, D.C. The AFT newsletter at the time welcomed the new members gladly, noting that black teachers "were especially in need of whatever assistance could be given not only to the teachers themselves, but to the development of educational opportunities…...