Congressman Hakeem Jeffries among honorees
The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum (NAPRPPM) will mark its 30th anniversary by hosting the “Gentle Warrior Awards” Black Tie Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Wintrust’s Grand Banking Hall, 231 S. LaSalle in Chicago. Returning as celebrity emcee is ABC 7 Chicago personality Hosea Sanders.
“The museum is a public, independently operated Black labor history museum that promotes critical lessons that cross age, class, color, and gender boundaries, carrying messages critical to our society,” said museum founder Dr. Lyn Hughes. ‘ “A successful Gentle Warrior Awards gala and among other fundraising events play a significant role in to continue this vital work.”
The museum is the only one in the world that bears the name A. Philip Randolph, founder of the first Black labor union in the nation — The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP). The Porter’s union was the first Black union to be chartered under the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the first Black union to win a collective bargaining agreement with a major U.S. corporation — the powerful Pullman company.
Randolph’s unwavering courage, sacrifice and intuitive leadership opened doors for Blacks in organized labor and enabled the Porters to create the foundation for the Black middle class. As one of America’s foremost labor and civil rights leaders, Randolph became known as the “Gentle Warrior.”
The Gentle Warrior Award is presented to individuals who exhibit the similar commitment, focus, and tenacity that Randolph displayed throughout his career.
The 2025 Honorees include April Verrett, who was elected the first Black President of SEIU, the 2nd-largest union in America, U.S. Congressman Hakeem Jefferies (D- NY); Public Relations and Communications Maven Michelle Flowers of Flowers Communications and posthumously, William Bill Lucy, founding member of CBTU and former President Emeritus of AFSCME.
The evening also includes the recognition of Change Agents. This award is presented to those who have not only invoked positive change through action in organized labor but have required it of others throughout the communities they serve.
This year’s Change Agent Awardee in the category of Labor is Kevin McLaughlin, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of Mid America Carpenters. This year, the museum is introducing the inaugural category of Descendants of Distinction. The first honorees include Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who continues the standard of integrity, activism, and excellence of her grandfather, who was a member of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Fashion phenom Barbara Bates proudly represents her father who was a Pullman Porter as well. In the category of Public Service, the honoree is Bernardo Gomez, Chairman of the City of Chicago’s first-ever Disability Employee Resource Group.
As one of the most highly anticipated labor events, the Gentle Warrior Awards Black-Tie Gala Fundraiser is always attended by a diverse roster of labor union leadership, Chicago’s “Who’s Who” and an impressive list of museum supporters. In addition to the award presentations, the posh red carpet affair will feature a performance by jazz legend Gerald Albright, and a savory menu filled with culinary delights and desserts.
Funds generated by the awards gala will support the museum’s expansion project which will include the creation of Randolph’s Way, the first Black Labor Tourism district in America.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information visit, click here.
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About the NAPRPP Museum
The NAPRPP Museum is a 501 (c) 3, a cultural institution located in the Pullman National Monument that was designated by President Barack Obama in 2015. Founded in 1995, the NAPRPPM is the only museum of its kind worldwide. The museum is a public, independently operated Black labor history museum that promotes critical lessons that cross age, class, color, and gender boundaries, carrying messages essential to our society.
Successful “Gentle Warrior Awards” events play a significant role in our operational budget and enable us to continue this vital work. The promise of the 2022 fundraising event holds significant meaning. It presents a vehicle for the labor community to demonstrate, in a substantial way, appreciation for one of its own.