Showcasing literature focused on the Black experience as it relates to work culture and history.
“African Americans and Labor” is the theme for Black History Month 2025 selected by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), a society founded in 1915. By establishing this topic as the central focus of Black History Month this year, the organization seeks to shed light on the ways that different kinds of work connect with the wide-ranging experiences of Black people. The theme also allows us to consider the profound impact of Black workers throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora.
To help Stonehill College community members engage with this year’s theme, we recently partnered with the MacPháidín Library to develop a reading list that offers a small sample of literary works focused on the African American workforce.
America’s Johannesburg: Industrialization and Racial Transformation in Birmingham by Bobby M. Wilson
Dr. Bobby M. Wilson, Emeritus Professor of Geography at the University of Alabama, explores the ties between the history of slavery in Alabama and industrialization in present day Birmingham. The scholar argues that the state’s path to industrialism differed from other locales because Birmingham depended greatly on black workers in its urban development. Available at the MacPháidín Library.
Fugitive Pedagogy: Carter G. Woodson and the Art of Black Teaching by Jarvis R. Givens
During the time of slavery, African American people pursued education covertly. They developed what Givens refers to as a tradition of “fugitive pedagogy,” a theory and practice of Black education where enslaved people learned how to read despite not being allowed to do so. This book explores how Carter G. Wilson, a noted educator under Jim Crow and founder of Black History Month, interacted with this scholastic heritage through his life. Available at the MacPháidín Library.
Workers on Arrival: Black Labor in the Making of America by Joe William Trotter, Jr.
This book surveys the history of labor exploitation of African American people and how it shaped wealth creation in the United States. Spanning 400 years, this study seeks to clarify the role that Black workers have played in the nation’s productivity, politics, and global economy. Available at the MacPháidín Library.
For Jobs and Freedom: Selected Speeches and Writings of A. Philip Randolph, Edited by Andrew E. Kersten & David Lucander
As the head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids (the first Black union to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor), A. Philip Randolph was a well-known activist who helped Black workers gain a foothold in the 20th century labor movement. This work presents the ideas and arguments that he shared throughout his lifetime. Sourced from libraries, manuscript collections, newspapers and more, these files, which are organized thematically, offer insight into his record of advocacy. Available at the MacPháidín Library.
Time on Two Crosses: The Collected Writings of Bayard Rustin, Edited by Devon W. Carbado & Donald Weise
Bayard Rustin led the A. Philip Randolph Institute, established by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. The institute, which still exists today, advocates for labor change at both the state and federal levels. In addition to featuring Rustin’s writings on the Black community’s role in unionization, this volume also focuses on other topics ranging from nonviolence to the tragic death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Available at the MacPháidín Library.
Homeboy Came to Orange: A Story of People’s Power by Ernest Thompson & Mindy Thompson Fullilove
Ernest Thompson was the first African American person to hold a fulltime organizing position with the United Electrical Radio and Machine Works of America. During his time with this union, he led their Fair Employment Practices program and advocated that women and minority workers receive equal rights and pay. This book offers a narrative account detailing the work he did to improve the lives of others. Available at the MacPháidín Library.
Merze Tate: The Global Odyssey of a Black Woman Scholar by Barbara Dianne Savage
Born in Michigan during the time of Jim Crow, Merze Tate was a trailblazing expert on international diplomacy. This biography sheds light on cultural expectations of Black professionals by exploring her scholarship and worldly adventures. Available at the MacPháidín Library.
My Remarkable Journey: A Memoir by Katherine Johnson with Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore
Calculations made by Katherine Johnson played a critical role in the success of the first spaceflight missions made by the United States. For her contributions to her field, the mathematician received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. This memoir paints a riveting portrait of Johnson’s life, from growing up in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains to working at NASA. Available wherever books are sold.
On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker by A’Lelia Bundles
A legendary entrepreneur, Madam C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) made a fortune producing cosmetics and hair care products for Black women. As the first documented woman self-made millionaire in America, she overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to create her business empire. This biography offers a comprehensive look at her journey. Available wherever books are sold.