A Look Back at the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists 54th Convention—Preserving and Building Our Legacy: Unbought, Unbossed, Unstoppable

Date & Location: May 21–26, 2025 | Orlando, Florida Attendance: Over 1,000 delegates from 60+ unions across the U.S. and Canada. This year, the convention honoured the legacy of co-founder William “Bill” Lucy, who passed in 2024, while rallying members to confront rising threats to labour rights, civil liberties, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. President Rev. Terrence Melvin delivered a fiery call to action, urging members to resist anti-union and anti-Black policies. Key Messages: Unity and Resistance: “We will not sit down… we will fight until hell freezes over,” declared Melvin, emphasizing collective action against systemic rollbacks. The convention celebrated past victories while preparing for future challenges, especially in education, labour, and civil rights. Actionable Items for Unions:

1. We should continue to fight and turn pain into power. We must continue with what Mandela called the “Long Walk to Freedom”, through grassroots mobilization and activism.
2. No one can tell our story besides us. We should continue to educate members, especially young under-40 members, by hosting workshops on labour rights.
3. Let’s defend and expand DEI programs in schools.
4. Mobilize and engage educators and education workers in voter registration and turnout efforts, especially in marginalized communities, and support labor-friendly candidates during elections.

Attending the 54th Annual CBTU Convention in Orlando was inspiring and empowering. Surrounded by passionate Black Unionists and visionary leaders, I witnessed firsthand the strength of our collective voice and the urgency of our mission. I left this convention clear, confident, and determined to continue actively involved in union work. It ignited my passion to continue this fight. Union is POWER. Union is not wearing a T-shirt or a cap; it must be IN you, not ON you. The union is in ME. Together we are unbought, unbossed, and unstoppable in improving working people’s lives across Canada and the USA. In SOLIDARITY Francis MANYANGA, OCT Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Training Officer, D19