Coalition of Black Trade Unionist 54th International Convention

Preserving and Building Our Legacy: Unbought, Unbossed, Unstoppable

Orlando, Florida – From May 21-25, 2025 more than one thousand delegates from across the United States and Canada attended the 54^th international convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in Orlando, Florida.

The theme of this year’s gathering was “Preserving and Building Our Legacy: Unbought, Unbossed, Unstoppable.”

Founded in 1972, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists is comprised of members from seventy-seven international and national unions and more than forty-two chapters across the United States, including the Northern California Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (NCCBTU). IBEW 1245 member Danielle Bonds serves as the 2^nd Vice President of NCCBTU;  IBEW 1245 member Terry Washington sits on the Executive Board.

CBTU’s mission is “to fulfill the dream of those Black trade unionists, both living and deceased, who … have courageously and unremittingly struggled to build a national movement that would bring all our strengths and varied talents to bear in the unending effort to achieve economic, political and social justice for every American.” (www.cbtu.nationbuilder.com)

IBEW 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Al Fortier shared, “The 2025 CBTU conference delivered great keynote speakers, panelists, workshops, and insight into the state of the labor movement today, particularly for Black Americans.”

This year’s gathering was particularly poignant. The convention paid a heartwarming tribute to co-founder, William  “Bill” Lucy who led the organization since its inception in 1972.  Brother Lucy passed in 2024.  In addition to honoring him and those upon whose shoulders today’s members stand, the group  strategized ways to meet rising attacks on unions, civil rights, immigrant rights  and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

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IBEW 1245 dispatched a 7-person team of staff and members to the event. Here are some of their reflections:

Al Fortier, IBEW 1245 Sr. Assistant Business Manager

The conference laid the roadmap for the future of the labor movement and provided us with critical information and tools to keep our movement strong. … It is important to celebrate our victories, remember where we came from and how we got here, because as President Melvin said, “This ain’t no time for backing up, we got to keep moving forward.”

This was a great conference, packed with information, and I  want to acknowledge the IBEW 1245 delegation for bringing a ton of energy and being present and fully participating throughout the entire week.

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Charlotte Stevens, IBEW 1245 Organizer

The energy of this year’s convention was fueled with legacy and action. Looking back on the monumental fights we’ve won in the past strengthens us for the fights ahead.  We reflected on the great work of William “Bill” Lucy, one of the founding members, who passed in 2024, through a beautiful tribute.  …  Our delegation fully participated in plenary sessions  which had dynamic keynote speakers such as AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO Sec. Treasurer Fred Redmon, and 4 union presidents: AFSCME- Lee Saunders, AFGE -Evertt Kelley, CWA -Claude Cummings, and NEA- Becky Pringle. …  We also had the great opportunity to stand in solidarity with Unite Here 737 which represents the Hilton workers as they rallied for a better contract.

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Donny Davis, Lead Organizing Steward

… A common message from the conference was the need to reach our younger generations. We need to be able to “meet them, where they are,” which means the need to be present on more social media outlets. I understand we have the newsletter, Facebook, Instagram, and email, but these younger people are on TikTok, and X. I feel like we need to get more active on those other platforms. … One of the ideas that stuck out: Give the new members a test on our Union… I would like to take it a bit further, (send the test via text or email with deadline), and require proof that the member attends a recent unit meeting for a prize (more union swag).

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Bridgette Thomas, Organizing Steward

This was a dynamic convention from start to finish! …  jam packed with great keynote speakers, powerful panel discussions by our under40 group of delegates with talks on Surviving the Pressure Cooker: Balancing Leadership & Wellbeing.  This was a really good discussion with millennials and Gen Z union members about stepping into leadership roles, prioritizing mental health, while focusing on equity & collective resilience amid economic and social uncertainty. … This was also my first time being introduced to resolutions! To watch resolutions be presented and voted upon live and in color was amazing. It made me feel a part of something big! …

Day 4 … began with a powerful worship service. We later reconvened for the awards dinner banquet where 10 young people won CBTU scholarships! Many awards & recognitions were given … I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Mr. Terry Melvin, CBTU president. His words of encouragement that he bestowed upon us each day will forever be with me.

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Dannielle Bonds, Organizing Steward & 2^nd Vice President of the Northern California Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (NCCBTU)

… The convention was a wonderful experience. …

My 1st highlight was the amazing Bill Lucy Tribute. The celebration of the Life and Leadership of William “Bill” Lucy, CBTU Cofounder and Global Icon was so heartfelt. … Bill Lucy was not only a global influence, trailblazer, and a political acumen, but he was the AFSCME president that started with 200k members and helped increased the membership to over 1 million. … His quote that I will always remember is “50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.”

My 2nd highlight was keynote speaker Rev. Everett Kelley President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). … He touched on four important topics that caught my attention: 1) federal workers are under attack; 2) the federal government is rolling back promises; 3) the federal government is imposing massive layoffs, and 4) the federal government is trying to end unions. … If the government can do this to the federal workers who we look up to why wouldn’t they do it to us. He ended his powerful speech with “If they come for you in the morning then they will come for us at night.” …

My 3rd highlight was the solidarity action that we gathered outside of the hotel that hosted the convention. … we stood as an unstoppable family that was able to stand and protest with our brothers and sisters that worked at the hotel. …

Thank you IBEW 1245 for allowing me to attend this outstanding convention and allowing my spirit to be lifted. This convention took me back to why I fell in love with IBEW 1245 and that was to be able to get involved and to do what I do best which is protest.

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Lamont Presley, Shop Steward & Control the Pressure Board

Hello and please allow me to say how grateful and excited I was, to be asked to go on this amazing experience. When Charlotte originally asked me to go, I didn’t know what to expect or how powerful this conference would be. People who have experienced CBTU conventions before were telling me it was a good experience. But they didn’t do it justice with their explanations. I learned a lot and also got to see first-hand the power of Unions and more importantly, Black people and our involvement with Unions in the past, present and in the future.

The fellowship I experienced with my fellow 1245 members was memorable, fun and an amazing time as well. … I will be joining the Nor Cal CBTU chapter and get myself more involved going forward.

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Iyasha Davis, Organizing Steward & Women’s Committee

I had the honor of attending the CBTU conference for the first time as a delegate. …  “Unbought, Unbossed, Unstoppable,” which was more than a slogan; it embodied the energy, strength and purpose that defined every panel, workshop and conversation throughout the event. My key takeaways include:

Surviving the Pressure Cooker Panel:  This powerful session spoke to the mental and emotional strain Black unionists often face. Sam Christian, one of the speakers, said something that will stay with me:  “If you’re not invited to the table, bring your own chair.”

The Transformative Organizing Workshop:  Led by Gary Grant from UAW, this workshop emphasized the power of internal and external organizing and the importance of sharing our stories …

Solidarity Action with UNITE HERE Local 737:  A powerful moment during the convention was joining UNITE HERE Local 737 in their fight for a fair contract with Hilton hotels. Standing alongside hotel workers in their demand for fair wages, dignity, and respect reminded me why we do this work.