Pullman has not seen an event like this one. If you miss this, you will want to kick yourself! Excitement is building around The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum’s Honoring the Brotherhood Weekend Event — The 94th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP). They were the first Black union in America to be chartered under the American Federation of Labor —At the time, a life-changing accomplishment. Museum founder Dr. Lyn Hughes said, “not only did their triumph open the doors to organized labor for African Americans, in so doing, under the leadership of A. Philip Randolph they created a vehicle through which many Civil Rights activities were begun; and for the African American community in general, they built the foundation for the Black middle class.
The celebratory event co-sponsored by Electrical Workers Minority Caucus and IBEW Local 134. will take place Saturday, August 24, 2019, from 5:00 to 10:00 P.M. on the grounds of the NAPRPP) Museum 10406 S. Maryland Avenue, (entrance 817 East 104th Street). Descendants of the historic fraternity the men of the BSCP and descendants of other Black Railroad employees, individuals from the labor community and the Chicago community will gather at the museum to celebrate the historic anniversary. Speakers will be Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, the descendant of a Pullman Porter, and Joe Wells, Executive Board member of the IBEW Local 134, and Honorable Oscar J. Webb JR, International Goodwill Ambassador to The United Nations, also a descendant of a Pullman Porter.
Just added to the weekend event, The National Pullman Porter Museum Presents, A Chicago Blues Museum Film Production! David Peterson, the millennial museum president, is bringing a fresh new perspective to history and the museum. “Pullman has not seen an event like this one. If you miss this, you will want to kick yourself! It going to be a great, fun event.”
Dr. Hughes enthusiastically stated, “The event is also a trial run to reach Chicago descendants of the historic BSCP union members, enabling us to take the project nationally next year.” It is also the start of our new outreach effort. We are combining the two — the Pullman Porters Descendants Gathering and our Museum Membership Drive, which will continue online after the event.”
Music provided by DJ ET. The event will end with the Chicago Tradition “Steppin Under the Stars.” Admission is the purchase of an annual Museum membership of $50.00. First 100 people $10.00 off Membership will cost $40.00
The National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, a 501 C (3) cultural institution is the only museum in the nation that bears the name of Mr. Randolph and the Porters, located in the Pullman National Monument. The museum’s operational budget is not funded by the city, state, or federal funds, that being the case, ALL fundraising activity is essential.
To learn more about the event visit https://aprpullmanportermuseum.org/special-events/
