One significant example of a Black-led labor strike in Black history is the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike of 1968. This strike was a milestone in the Civil Rights Movement and highlighted the intersectionality of race and labor rights.

The strike was sparked by the deaths of two African American sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, who were crushed to death in a malfunctioning garbage truck. The workers were frustrated by their low wages, poor working conditions, lack of benefits, and discriminatory treatment.

Under the leadership of prominent civil rights activists such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, the sanitation workers went on strike, carrying signs that read, "I Am a Man," to emphasize their dignity and humanity.

The strike gained national attention and solidarity from other civil rights and labor groups. Despite facing opposition from local government officials, the workers persisted in their demands for fair wages, benefits, and better working conditions.

Ultimately, the strike resulted in a victory for the sanitation workers, as the city of Memphis agreed to recognize the union, increase wages, and improve working conditions for the workers. The Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike of 1968 remains an important moment in Black history and a powerful example of the fight for racial and economic justice.