Events › Sullivan, King, and the Struggle for Racial and Economic Justice for Black Workers

The fight for racial and economic justice for Black workers has always been central to the civil rights movement, yet today, these hard-won gains are under renewed threat. As conservative policies and anti-DEI sentiment erode diversity initiatives and workplace protections, Black workers face increasing economic exclusion. This presentation examines how the economic strategies of Reverend Leon Sullivan and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—particularly their use of Selective Patronage and economic activism—offer a blueprint for resistance in the face of these modern challenges.

This presentation by Dr. Leon Prieto from Clayton State University explores how targeted consumer activism, collective bargaining, and cooperative economics can be used to counteract the marginalization of Black labor in today’s hostile climate. By reclaiming these historical lessons, we can develop new strategies to secure racial and economic justice, ensuring that Black workers are not excluded from the opportunities they fought so hard to achieve.