A. Philip Randolph was a prominent African American civil rights leader, union organizer, and social activist. He played a crucial role in the struggle for civil rights and workers' rights in the United States during the 20th century. Born in 1889 in Florida, Randolph began his activism as a young man, speaking out against racial discrimination and inequality.

Randolph is perhaps best known for his leadership in the labor movement. In 1925, he founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first African American labor union to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor. Randolph fought tirelessly for the rights of African American workers, leading successful campaigns for better pay, working conditions, and job opportunities.

One of Randolph's most significant achievements was his role in the push for desegregation in the military during World War II. In 1941, he threatened to lead a march on Washington, D.C. to protest discrimination in the armed forces. As a result, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, which banned racial discrimination in defense industries and established the Fair Employment Practices Committee.

Randolph continued to be a vocal advocate for civil rights and economic justice throughout his life. He was a key figure in the organization of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Randolph's activism and leadership paved the way for future generations of civil rights activists and labor organizers.

A. Philip Randolph's legacy continues to inspire activists fighting for racial equality and social justice today.