Our History

Our History: Bridging Labor, Justice, and Community in Memphis

Memphis APRI was born in the crucible of change and courage more than five decades ago. In 1968, as the Memphis Sanitation Strike shook the city and inspired the nation, a determined group of young Black union activists came together, committed to advancing the cause of dignity, equality, and collective action. Their vision went beyond one strike—Memphis APRI became the touchstone for working families and communities of color, recognizing that real progress demands unity between labor, civil rights, and grassroots community organizing.

Enduring Relevance, Changing Times

The issues that ignited our founding in 1968 remain urgent today. We live in a time when the rights of workers and the protections of Social Security, healthcare, and the social safety net are threatened on many fronts. In the face of shifting political winds, Memphis APRI stands as a bridge between labor and communities that have been silenced or marginalized—registering and educating voters, knocking doors, and organizing at every election to make democracy real and inclusive.

Our electoral work is strictly non-partisan, but fiercely principled. Together with respected partners—the NAACP, League of Women Voters, CIVIC TN, SCVA, Memphis AFL-CIO, Tennessee for All, and a vibrant ecosystem of unions and advocacy groups—we fight for the participation, safety, and rights of every Memphian, regardless of zip code or income. We rally coalitions not just for elections, but to defend the foundational rights and benefits that empower working people and sustain communities.

Historic Solidarity, Lasting Impact

Memphis APRI’s legacy is hands-on solidarity. Our members have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in pivotal labor battles—from the historic sanitation strike of ’68, the General Electric strike of 1969, and the Furniture Workers’ strikes spanning three critical decades, to supporting the United Food and Commercial Workers in Mississippi’s catfish industry and advocating during the Kellogg lockouts and strikes in the 2010s. Our work joins forces with the United Auto Workers’ campaigns at Nissan and GM, and in recent years, we’ve helped launch innovative training initiatives like the MC3 Pre-Apprenticeship Program through Memphis/West Tennessee Building Trades—expanding opportunity for new generations of workers.

Commitment to Justice and the Common Good

Beyond the job site, Memphis APRI has led grassroots fights for environmental justice, economic fairness, and racial equity. Our coalition driven advocacy with TN4ALL secured promises for residents touched by the Blue Oval City development, ensuring Community Benefits Agreements put people first. As active plaintiffs, we challenged unfair redistricting laws that threaten democracy and representation for communities of color. We have fought to end regressive grocery taxes, block harmful private school voucher programs, and organize alongside local environmental groups to stop the Byhalia Pipeline, protecting Memphis neighborhoods from corporate exploitation.

In one of our proudest victories, Memphis APRI and its allies forced the closure of Sterilization Services of Tennessee, ending a staggering 50-year chapter of environmental neglect after EPA reports proved the company had poisoned its neighbors, causing disproportionately high cancer rates within a three-mile radius. Our work made public health and accountability possible where silence had reigned.

The Fight Continues

The story of Memphis APRI is one of resilience, relentless hope, and bold action. We adapt and persist because the need for solidarity, justice, and equity never ends. From labor organizing and voter empowerment to defending health, safety, and our shared environment, Memphis APRI is always pressing forward—honoring our founders’ legacy, cherishing the victories of the past, and inspiring new generations to claim their seat at the table.

Together, we remain unwavering: forging partnerships, making history, and building the Memphis that all our children deserve.