MISSION:

TNBC and its chapters play a major role in the battle to end discrimination against blacks in hiring, classifications, promotions, pay and related issues of employment. TNBC's goal is to expand black roles in all employment-related activities.

Since its inception, TNBC has been the driving force behind Black Teamsters becoming more active in union affairs at all levels.

To meet current and future challenges, TNBC is working in the following areas:
  • Political action
  • Educational programs
  • Legal support
  • Workplace representation
What is TNBC and its Purpose?
The Teamsters National Black Caucus (TNBC) is an organization of black Teamster men and women, who are united by their special concerns for rights and conditions of workers. Working within the framework of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Constitution, the TNBC seeks to address pressing issues confronting black workers ranging from increased participation to outreach to the African-American community and other communities of color. The TNBC is not a union.

At its founding, the TNBC had four important goals:
  1. To organize and educate the unorganized in our communities throughout the United States
  2. To promote affirmative action in the work place and in our community
  3. To encourage political action and legislation
  4. To increase black participation and uphold the principles of the Teamsters' movement and to foster the opportunity for all Teamsters to serve in leadership capacities, throughout the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the affiliates.

TNBC HISTORY

The Teamsters National Black Caucus formed in July 1971 as an organization of black Teamster men and women who are united by their special concerns for rights and conditions of workers. In September 1975, the first chairperson of TNBC was appointed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Since then, TNBC has strived to:
  • Organize the unorganized in our communities throughout the United States
  • Promote affirmative action in the workplace and in our community
  • Encourage political action and legislation
  • Increase the level of African-American participation within Teamster locals and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
In Miami, Florida on July 7, 1971 , the Teamsters National Black Caucus held its first meeting at the Playboy Plaza Hotel. The meeting's goal was to bring
about a change to the Teamsters International. New passages were entered on the pages of the history of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Robert Simpson of Teamsters Local 743 in Chicago was the spokesman for the delegates at the meeting. Simpson said that blacks had been omitted from
high paying leadership positions at the Teamsters International level.

Simpson also noted that "Blacks serve as special organizers in times of Black crises without the salary or title." General President Frank E. Fitzsimmons
and several Vice Presidents agreed to form a committee to rectify the problem. The General President promised that blacks would be considered for vacancies occurring on the general executive board before the 1976 Teamsters Convention.

In September, 1975, John H. Cleveland, President of Teamsters Local 730 in Washington, D.C. became the first appointed chairperson of this newly formed organization. Cleveland later became the first African American Vice President of the IBT. In 1984, Edward "Doc' James was appointed Chairman and ran un-opposed until October l 993. In January, 1994, Claude Brown was appointed to serve the remaining term of Doc James. In September, 1998, Chris Silvera became the first Chairman elected by the membership of the TNBC and was reelected in August of2003.

Chris Silvera resigned in December 2006 and Terry Freeman was appointed from Vice Chair to Chairman to serve his remaining term. Albert R. Mixon was elected Chairman in 2008 and took office in 2009. Mixon was reelected to a second term and served until 2016, he also became an IBT Vice President. Ferline Buie, the first female to serve as Chairman of the TNBC was appointed to serve Mixon remaining term. She was also an IBT Vice President-at- Large and President of JC 55. James "Curb" Curbeam was elected Chairman in 2018 at the 43rd Annual Educational Conference; the term commences on January l , 2019. Curbeam is also the Southern Region Organizer Coordinator for the IBT.

EXECUTIVE BOARD & ADMINISTRATORS

VICKI YATES

President
TNBC Chicago Chapter
Major Rose, Vice President  |  Rosalina Tennent, Secretary-Treasurer  |  Carolyn German, Recording Secretary
Jewel Williams, Trustee  |  Leo Watkins, Trustee  | Ramon D. Williams, Executive Director 
Tressa Thomas, Director of Communications  |  Norman H. Wallace, Trustee & Parliamentarian  |  ​Jacqueline Johnson, Sgt-At-Arms

TEAMSTERS RESOURCES: TNBC Affiliates

The TNBC Chicago Chapter is a proud affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. We hope the information below provides a resource for members to learn from and support our many and strong Teamster sisters and brothers.