Minnesota, often recognized for its lakes and resilient winters, holds a lesser-known but equally vital distinction: its deep and equitable history of labor. Throughout the state’s evolution, the contribution of Black labor has been instrumental in building industries, communities, and advocating for civil rights. By understanding this legacy, we not only honor those who paved the way but also underscore the critical importance of remembering and amplifying these narratives.
From the early days of Minnesota’s statehood in 1858, Black laborers worked to carve out spaces in industries that often resisted their presence. Whether in agriculture, railroads, domestic work, or emerging urban sectors, Black workers brought skill, determination, and innovation to the state’s rapidly changing economy.
These contributions were not limited to economic growth; they also served as a foundation for building thriving Black communities in cities like Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth.
The arrival of Black migrants during the Great Migration (1916-1970) further amplified this impact. Seeking better opportunities and escaping the violence of the Jim Crow South, many found jobs in Minnesota’s factories, mills, and service industries.
Despite facing systemic racism and segregation, these workers forged paths for future generations, breaking barriers and establishing themselves as indispensable to the state’s labor force.
Black labor in Minnesota did not exist in isolation. Alongside economic contributions, Black workers played a critical role in the development of cultural and civic institutions.
Organizations like the St. Paul chapter of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first successful African American-led labor union, were instrumental in advocating for better wages and working conditions. This union, founded by A. Philip Randolph, laid the groundwork for broader civil rights advancements by connecting labor struggles with the fight for racial equality.
“I don’t ever remember a single day of hopelessness. I knew from the history of the labor movement, especially of the Black people, that it was an undertaking of great trial,” Randolph once stated, “that, live or die, I had to stick with it, and we had to win.”
This perseverance is reflected in the significant contributions of Black workers to Minnesota’s economy. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), in just over a decade, the number of Black workers in the state surged from 126,000 in 2010 to nearly 192,000 in 2021 — an increase of more than 50%. Remarkably, this growth accounted for over one-third of Minnesota’s total labor force expansion during that period.
Moreover, Black Minnesotans were not only participating in the workforce at high rates, but also outpacing their white counterparts. With a labor force participation rate of 70.5%, Black workers in Minnesota rank third highest in the nation in 2021, exceeding the state’s white labor participation rate of 67.2%.
Furthermore, Black women — often excluded from unionized labor — led efforts in domestic work and caregiving, industries that sustained families and communities while often being undervalued. Their contributions to both economic and social spheres were critical in ensuring the stability and growth of Black neighborhoods, particularly in the Rondo area of St. Paul, a historically Black community that survives despite systemic efforts to dismantle it.
The labor movement in Minnesota, much like the rest of the country, has been deeply intertwined with the struggle for civil rights. Black workers’ demands for fair treatment, equal pay, and safe working conditions mirrored larger calls for justice and equality.
Leaders like Nellie Stone Johnson, a labor organizer and the first Black person elected to a citywide office in Minneapolis, exemplify the powerful intersection of labor advocacy and civil rights.
“I’ve always been preaching a simple message, jobs, jobs, jobs…” Johnson stated in an interview with Doug Grow in the Star Tribune. “Back in the 1950s, it was fashionable for white liberals to go out to dinner with Black people. They’d take you to a restaurant like Charlie’s and people would think, ‘Isn’t this nice? This wouldn’t happen in some places.’ But I’d say, even then, what good does it do if we can go into nice restaurants, if we can’t afford to order in them.”
Johnson’s work with unions like the Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ Union helped secure landmark victories for fair employment practices in Minnesota, setting a precedent for anti-discrimination policies nationwide. Her legacy reminds us of the indispensable role Black laborers played in shaping industries and dismantling institutional barriers.
In 2025, the contributions of Black labor in Minnesota remain as relevant as ever. Remembering this history is not merely an act of acknowledgment; it is a call to action.
In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” which revoked Executive Order 11246. Initially signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, EO 11246 prohibited employment discrimination by federal contractors and mandated affirmative action programs to promote equal opportunity.
The revocation of this order eliminates requirements for federal contractors to maintain affirmative action programs and prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Critics argue that dismantling these DEI programs could disproportionately affect Black workers by removing safeguards against workplace discrimination and hindering efforts to promote diversity.
The order also curtails the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which previously enforced affirmative action requirements, potentially reducing oversight of contractors’ employment practices. Furthermore, plans to reduce the federal workforce may have disparate impacts on Black employment, given the significant representation of Black workers in federal positions.
These developments underscore the importance of remembering and honoring the legacy of Black labor in Minnesota and beyond. As the state reflects on its history, it is crucial to remain vigilant in protecting the rights and opportunities that have been hard-won through decades of advocacy and resilience.
The contributions of Black workers have been foundational to Minnesota’s growth, and preserving their legacy requires an ongoing commitment to equitable labor practices and policies.
