CWA Leaders Build Power at the 2021 Minority Leadership Institute

Last Friday, CWA leaders from across the union graduated from the 2021 CWA Minority Leadership Institute (MLI), held virtually for the second year in a row. The MLI program was established 30 years ago to promote the involvement of members of color and women at every level of our union. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, eleven CWA leaders came together for a two-week program to sharpen their skills in public speaking, organizing, mobilizing, collective bargaining, handling grievances, legislative advocacy, and building solidarity. Participants engaged in intensive dialogue about race, racism, and fighting against systemic injustices. Participants also spent time discussing and sharing experiences about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on workers.

Past MLI graduates, CWA staff, and guest speakers led training sessions. CWA President Chris Shelton and CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens held a discussion session with the participants on union activism. Members of CWA's Executive Board attended the virtual MLI graduation ceremony, where the participants shared their thoughts about the training program and their plans for the future.

Read more about their experiences here.

The CWA MLI Class of 2021.