CWA Leaders Build Power at the 2022 Minority Leadership Institute

Earlier this month, CWA leaders from across the union graduated from the 2022 CWA Minority Leadership Institute (MLI), held in person for the first time since 2019 and under the direction of CWA’s new Director of Human Rights, Education and Health & Safety, Angela Wells. The MLI program was established more than 30 years ago to promote the involvement of members of color and women at every level of our union. The CWA Minority Caucus, who led the push for greater education and training opportunities for underrepresented members, was one of the early advocates of the program. This year, thirteen CWA leaders, one from each District and Sector, came together for a week-long program to sharpen their skills in public speaking, organizing, mobilizing, collective bargaining, legislative advocacy, and building solidarity.

Participants engaged in intensive dialogue about the values that guide our movement, combatting discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and organizing labor-community coalitions. Participants also spent time developing and practicing critical skills and learning from each other’s experiences.

CWA staff, instructors from the University of Iowa Labor Center, and other guest speakers led training sessions. CWA President Chris Shelton and CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens held a virtual discussion session with the participants on union activism. “This program has produced excellent leaders who are filling the diversity gap at every level of our union and beyond. What past MLI graduates have accomplished is a testament to the program’s strength and the difference we can make by simply being intentional about developing opportunities for growth for underrepresented members,” said Shelton.

Executive Board Diversity Committee Co-Chairs CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings Jr. and IUE-CWA President Carl Kennebrew, as well as other members of the CWA Executive Board, including CWA District 9 Vice President Frank Arce, CWA District 4 Vice President Linda L. Hinton, and Public, Health Care and Education Workers Vice President Margaret Cook, also spoke to the participants. Throughout the week, past MLI graduates led discussions with the class about the impact MLI has had in their careers and to inspire participants to pursue more leadership opportunities within the union and beyond.

The CWA Minority Leadership Institute Class of 2022.