Black History Celebrated at Harlem Event

Black History Month Celebration 2026

MARCH 2—TWU members celebrated the legacy of Black Americans at the historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem on Friday for our annual Black History Month Celebration. The festive evening–with the theme of a sneaker ball–featured guest speakers, food and entertainment provided by a DJ and dancers from InVision U. 

TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello invoked labor’s power in creating the Black middle class and expanding Black economic power in New York and across the country. He paid tribute to recently deceased civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, noting that Jackson stood with Local 100 at our 2001 contract rally and throughout our 2005 strike, as well as lending his voice to national campaigns to boost transit funding.

“Black history is American History,” Chiarello said, “because the stories and struggles of Black Americans are essential to the American narrative.”

He saluted our Working Women’s Committee and its founder, former Local 100 Recording Secretary Julia McMillon, presenting the first-ever award in McMillon’s name to her niece, Siaida Lee, “in recognition of exceptional dedication and service and unwavering commitment to the members and mission of TWU Local 100.”

Also getting an award from President Chiarello was Claude Marshall, Chair of MABSTOA Division 2 in the Bronx.

Our keynote speaker, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, addressed the several hundred TWU Local 100 members who crowded the historic venue, telling them that her mission as Borough President was to do God’s work on earth. She also lauded transit workers for the work we do every day.

“Transit is not just transportation,” she said. “It’s opportunity, it’s access, it’s empowerment, it’s the middle class. It connects us through education, health care, employment; it connects families, it sustains our neighborhoods… Local 100 is always keeping our city moving, and for that we are grateful.”

Administrative Vice President Kemp, who MC’d the evening, talked personally about the history of the Black experience, and what he called, “the soul of blackness.” He said that this is “the spirit to fight against everything that holds you back.”