POWER
Politics, Workers, Business, Media
Politics
African American political power in the United States came of age in the Midwest during the 20th century.
Obama’s capture of the White House completed the African American political odyssey from Ida B. Wells’ grassroots organizing to the highest office in the land.
Politics
African American political power in the United States came of age in the Midwest during the 20th century.
Obama’s capture of the White House completed the African American political odyssey from Ida B. Wells’ grassroots organizing to the highest office in the land.
Workers
Black workers and the Midwest union movement are inextricably intertwined.
African American workers were once used by corporations in the Midwest for cheap, non-union labor. Today, African Americans are among the most unionized groups in the region. The Midwest also produced the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, America’s most important black union, and a major force in the Civil Rights Movement.
Workers
Black workers and the Midwest union movement are inextricably intertwined.
African American workers were once used by corporations in the Midwest for cheap, non-union labor. Today, African Americans are among the most unionized groups in the region. The Midwest also produced the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, America’s most important black union, and a major force in the Civil Rights Movement.
Media
African American media flourished in the Midwest, thanks to crusading black media entrepreneurs, the audiences of the Great Migration, and free speech protections.
Ida B. Wells’ The Conservator was Chicago’s first African American newspaper, and The Chicago Defender was the most important black newspaper of the 20th century. Jet and Ebony magazines promoted black power and celebrated black life and financial success. And Oprah Winfrey, among the most successful media moguls in American history, built her empire in the Midwest.
Media
African American media flourished in the Midwest, thanks to crusading black media entrepreneurs, the audiences of the Great Migration, and free speech protections.
Ida B. Wells’ The Conservator was Chicago’s first African American newspaper, and The Chicago Defender was the most important black newspaper of the 20th century. Jet and Ebony magazines promoted black power and celebrated black life and financial success. And Oprah Winfrey, among the most successful media moguls in American history, built her empire in the Midwest.