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Cleveland Robinson, Civil Rights Activist

Entitled: "Robinson, standing on second floor balcony of the National Headquarters of the March on Washington in Harlem, with his arm lifted up toward banner announcing the march." Cleveland Lowellyn Robinson (December 12, 1914 - August 23, 1995) was an Jamaican-American labor organizer, and civil rights activist. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1944 and took a job in a Manhattan dry goods store and very soon became active in District 65. In 1947, he owned his own shop, he went on to become a steward, and then a full-time organizer for the union. He was elected vice-president in 1950 and later in 1952 became secretary-treasurer. He held that position until he retired in 1992. In 1957, he participated in the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom. He was the chairman and one of the key organizers of the August 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In 1971, he helped to found the council of Black Trade Unionists, successor organization to the NALC, and served as its first vice-president. He suffered from glaucoma for many years, and was legally blind in 1970. His level of commitment and activity was in no way impaired by this disability. He died of kidney failure in 1995 at the age of 80. Photographed by Orlando Fernandez, 1963.
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Title:
Cleveland Robinson, Civil Rights Activist
Caption:
Entitled: "Robinson, standing on second floor balcony of the National Headquarters of the March on Washington in Harlem, with his arm lifted up toward banner announcing the march." Cleveland Lowellyn Robinson (December 12, 1914 - August 23, 1995) was an Jamaican-American labor organizer, and civil rights activist. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1944 and took a job in a Manhattan dry goods store and very soon became active in District 65. In 1947, he owned his own shop, he went on to become a steward, and then a full-time organizer for the union. He was elected vice-president in 1950 and later in 1952 became secretary-treasurer. He held that position until he retired in 1992. In 1957, he participated in the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom. He was the chairman and one of the key organizers of the August 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In 1971, he helped to found the council of Black Trade Unionists, successor organization to the NALC, and served as its first vice-president. He suffered from glaucoma for many years, and was legally blind in 1970. His level of commitment and activity was in no way impaired by this disability. He died of kidney failure in 1995 at the age of 80. Photographed by Orlando Fernandez, 1963.
Credit:
Album / LOC/Science Source
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Image size:
3165 x 4200 px | 38.0 MB
Print size:
26.8 x 35.6 cm | 10.6 x 14.0 in (300 dpi)
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