The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters holds a significant place in Black history as the first African American labor union to receive a charter in the United States. It was founded in 1925 by A. Philip Randolph and Milton P. Webster to advocate for the rights and fair treatment of African American porters working for the Pullman Company.

The porters, who primarily worked on Pullman sleeping cars on trains, faced numerous challenges and injustices, including long hours, low wages, discrimination, and poor working conditions. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters worked tirelessly to improve these conditions and to fight against racial discrimination within the railway industry.

Under the leadership of Randolph, the union became a powerful force in the labor movement and played a crucial role in advancing civil rights for African Americans. In 1937, after a long and difficult struggle, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters successfully negotiated the first contract between a Black labor union and a major corporation, the Pullman Company.

The union's victory was a significant milestone in the fight for racial equality and helped pave the way for future civil rights movements. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters became a symbol of Black resilience, unity, and determination in the face of adversity, and its legacy continues to inspire and empower workers and activists to this day.