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2024 MLK Conference Report

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Good Day Crew,

Please see below my report from my attendance at the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference from January 12-14, 2024. 

hre civil rights memorial 2024
AFA-CWA HRE Committee members at the Civil Rights Memorial

Being able to be with my fellow HRE Committee members in historic Montgomery, Alabama at the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference this past weekend was a fantastic experience. I will forever cherish the fact that I was able to engage with my fellow flight attendants, and also to engage with workers and organizers from other unions, fully cementing that our fight for worker rights is the same. 

AFA HRE Claude Cummings Jr
AFA-CWA HRE and Government Affairs Members with Claude Cummings Jr, President of CWA

While it was amazing to be in community with other unions, I was disappointed in the fact that none of the workshops, panels, or presenters, aside from my own, spoke to the Black LGBTQIA+ experience in the workforce and in the unions. It is a grave oversight in the conversation about workers rights and human rights on a whole. 

MLK Conference 2024 LGBTQIA+ panel
Flyer for Panel that I spoke on at the conference
LGBTQIA+ Panel Shot
Panelists from L-R: Rochelle Ramsey-Walker (IUPAT DC51), O'Sha Stegall (TWU 556), Jhenelle Jacas (AFA Council 01), Keturah Johnson (AFA-CWA International Vice President)

I also felt as if our Flight Attendant Union Members of TWU and AFA-CWA were not held with the same respect or regard as the other unions there. Our representation and presence was quite small, and I did not see any representation from our sister union APFA. I think that we need to continue to show up and talk about the Black LGBTQIA+ experience and ensure that our unions have diversity in leadership, and also treat our flight attendant unions with the respect they deserve. 

AFA TWU
AFA-CWA and TWU flight attendants standing in solidarity

Despite the difficulties that I noted, I did have a wonderful time, and was able to attend the Legacy Museum, and visit some important sights in Montgomery including the Waterfront, Rosa Parks’ Statue, Dr. Martin Luther King’s former residence, and the Civil Rights Memorial.

AFA HRE Rosa Parks Statue
AFA-CWA HRE Committee members at the Rosa Parks Statue

I left Montgomery feeling energized and ready to continue to do the great work of our committee and with new memories to share at the local level. 

AFA HRE MLK house
AFA-CWA HRE Committee members at MLK's home

I look forward to representing our union at the upcoming CCHT Anti-Trafficking Symposium: Educate, Empower, Equip, and Engage on January 25-26 in Washington, D.C. and reporting back to you.

Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] to discuss the cofnerence, and if you are interested in joining the HRE Committee.

Cheers,

Jhenelle (she/her)
HRE & Communications Chair - Council 01