Published: February 1, 2026

SEIU 503 AFRAM Caucus Black History Month Statement

This Black History Month, we pause to honor the stories, voices, and contributions that have shaped our world and continue to shape our future.

Black history is not confined to the past; it is present in the leaders we learn from, the culture we celebrate, and the ongoing work toward justice, equity, and understanding. It is a history of resilience, courage, creativity, and faith in the face of injustice.

As a community, we are called not only to remember, but to listen, learn, and reflect on how we can continue building a more inclusive and compassionate world. This month, and every month, we commit to honoring Black excellence and standing for dignity, respect, and belonging for all.

AFRAM Caucus Events 

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Black History Month is a time to honor the strength, creativity, and leadership of Black people—past and present. It is also a time to take action. As a labor union, this month calls on us to learn more, show up, and invest in Black communities in real and meaningful ways, because the fight for Black liberation is inseparable from the fight for workers’ rights. 

There is no single Black story in America. Black people have been here for hundreds of years, shaping this nation through resilience, resistance, and labor. Black workers include descendants of enslaved people, families who have lived on this land for generations, Black immigrants from across the world, and Afro-Latinos whose histories connect Africa, Latin America, and the United States. Each experience is unique. All are equally Black, equally valid, and equally deserving of respect, dignity, and belonging. 

Black History Month invites us to do more than reflect. It asks us to educate ourselves, attend events and art exhibits at Black-owned galleries, support Black-owned businesses, and put our time, energy, and dollars into Black communities. These actions strengthen our movement and honor the Black workers who have always been at the heart of organizing for justice. 

This month – and always – we affirm that Black lives, voices, and histories matter. We recommit to the ongoing work of equity, inclusion, and justice so that every Black worker can live, work, and thrive with dignity and safety. 

Black History Month in Oregon