Asa Philip Randolph was a prominent African American civil rights leader, labor organizer, and social activist in the early to mid-20th century. He is best known for his work in the labor movement and his efforts to advance civil rights for African Americans.

Randolph was born on April 15, 1889, in Crescent City, Florida. He moved to New York City as a young man and became involved in the Socialist Party and labor movement. In 1925, he founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly African American labor union. This was a landmark achievement as it was one of the few unions open to African Americans at the time.

Throughout his career, Randolph fought against racial discrimination and segregation, both within the labor movement and in society at large. He threatened to lead a massive protest march on Washington, D.C., in 1941 to demand an end to employment discrimination in the defense industry. Due to his efforts, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, banning racial discrimination in the defense industry.

After World War II, Randolph continued to be a leading voice in the civil rights movement. He was a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

A. Philip Randolph's legacy continues to inspire activists and leaders in the fight for racial and economic justice. He was a trailblazer in the struggle for equality and his contributions have had a lasting impact on American society.