African American Congressman, Charles Arthur Hayes, is remembered for his commitment to legislate equal rights for Black labor workers. Taking notice of racism aimed toward Black workers in his hometown of Cairo, Illinois, Hayes moved to Chicago and started unionizing activities in 1942. As a union member, he helped end discriminatory hiring practices and improved job benefits for Black laborers. He was one of the first African American leaders to address the issues facing Black women in Chicago’s African American community.
During the 1950s, he helped persuade the United Packinghouse Workers (UPWA-CIO), a major, predominately White union in Chicago, to establish its headquarters in the African American community. Hayes also fought against segregated housing patterns, raised money to prosecute the murderers of Emmett Till and collaborated with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) in the Chicago civil rights movement.
In the 1970s and 1980s, he helped establish the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), assisted Operation PUSH and supported the campaigns of two Black U.S. Congressmen. In August 1983, he himself was elected to Congress in a special election to fill the vacant seat created when Harold Washington was elected Mayor of Chicago. Hayes served for ten years.
While in Congress, he worked to combat the high dropout rate among students in Chicago - which far exceeded the national average. In 1985, he introduced the Dropout Prevention and Reentry Act to allocate $50 million in federal funding to state and local government officials to help students stay in school. In 1990, his bill to extend funding for the dropout program for an additional two years was signed into law. Hayes was critical of the Reagan administration’s education policies and questioned proposed budget cuts in the mid-1980s, calling them “a callous disregard for the dreams and aspirations of millions of poor and disadvantaged children and young adults.”
Hayes also urged lawmakers to support legislation to assist workers who had lost their jobs after the economic recession of the early 1980s caused manufacturing plants in his district to close. Urging his fellow lawmakers to “focus attention and find solutions to the problem of unemployment and stop acting as though the problem does not exist”, Hayes consistently supported legislation to protect American workers through higher wages, restrictions on imports, and more comprehensive benefits for children and health care.
During his last two terms, Hayes expressed concern over possible job losses stemming from the increasing use of automation by the United States Post Office (USPS) and held hearings on legislation to provide free mail service to troops serving in the Persian Gulf region (free mail to overseas servicemembers during wartime became law in 1990). Back in Chicago, Hayes organized a task force in his congressional district that successfully lobbied USPS officials in Chicago to increase the number of business contracts they signed with women- and minority-owned businesses.
Hayes introduced U.S. legislation to impose economic and diplomatic sanctions against South Africa as a means of ending apartheid. He and several other House members made news by being arrested for protesting at the South African Embassy in Washington, DC.
Sources: Blackpast.org; History.House.gov; Wikipedia.org
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 Anchored in Truth: African American Studies for Today’s Classroom
Registration FREE: https://forms.gle/Vd69rS2BdXvQsRkF9
https://www.pdenroller.org/ospi/catalog/event/182071
Now, more than ever, it is critical to engage with and teach African American Studies to Washington students.
The African American studies Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a supportive learning community—whether you are an experienced instructor, desire to integrate current coursework, or want additional resources in African American studies content. This bi-weekly, three-month series will provide a collaborative space for educators from all grade levels and subject areas to explore inquiry-based, project-based, and place-based pedagogical approaches that improve instruction and deepen student engagement, foster critical thinking, and support equitable learning outcomes.
Educators will develop skills, with an emphasis on developing historical, literary, visual, and critical thinking skills.
For example:
- Centering your students in a vision and practice of African American Studies that focuses on strong inquiry, social and emotional connection, and interpreting the world around them
- Concrete strategies to navigate the current policy landscapes, while staying true to equity and excellence in education, and linking African American Studies into math, science, social studies, language arts, and other disciplines.
- A welcoming space with a network of like-minded educators committed to sustaining this work in classrooms statewide.
Primary Facilitators: Dr. W. Tali Hairston, Dr. Ayanna Gore, Derick Harris, other subject matter experts
Who should participate: Educators from all grade levels and subject areas who want to strengthen their instructional practice by integrating an African American Studies framework with an emphasis on inquiry-based, problem-based, and place-based strategies.
Class schedule: Six bi-weekly, 90 min online sessions beginning Mar 27, 2025
Clock Hours: Attendees can earn up to 9 Equity clock hours through participation.
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All services are provided at no cost to minorities, women, and other socially and economically disadvantaged firms seeking work on WSDOT and Local Agency highway-related projects. For more information email DBESS@wsdot.wa.gov, call 360-705-7090 or (888) 259-9143
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Additional events listed at CAAA.WA.Gov/events
 There is a critical need for healthcare professionals in Kitsap County and a need to educate more students on the Peninsula.
Olympic College announces the details of our Healthcare Career Camp initiative. This event aims to build a pipeline of future healthcare professionals while addressing the pressing shortages in various healthcare fields, including primary care, secondary care, and dental care.
Over 50 high school-aged students from the Peninsula are expected to participate in the event. They will be given the opportunity to visit dozens of professionals representing an array of healthcare occupations, including nurses, physicians, ultrasound techs, dental hygienists, medical assistants, pharmacists, and many more.
Designed to achieve two significant goals, the Career Camp initiative will focus on establishing and nurturing a pipeline of students successfully completing high school and pursuing secondary education in healthcare fields within Kitsap County. Furthermore, it aims to foster diversity and inclusivity within the healthcare sector by nurturing a pipeline of future healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds.
New Surgical Technologist program creates pathway into healthcare field
For information and to get involved, please get in touch with Susan Lomow at 360-475-7788 or slomow@olympic.edu or scan the QR code to register!
Other Olympic College News:
Olympic College Launches New Electrical Theory Course in Partnership with Kitsap Transit - New program provides crucial skills for emerging fields like like electric vehicle maintenance.
Federal Way Community Festival 2025 is returning to Town Square Park on August 9! Interested in participating? Apply now to be a part of this exciting celebration of culture, connection, and community in Federal Way!
Currently seeking: Vendors (local businesses, artists, and craftspeople), Non-profit organizations, Sponsors, Performers (musicians, dancers, and entertainers), and Food vendors!
The Diversity Commission of the City of Federal Way works to enrich the lives of all people who live, work and play in Federal Way by advising and guiding city government with an equity lens, on policies, procedure, practices and current / emerging issues.
Looking for a job or want to build your professional skills? Join us for a resource and hiring event targeting young adults ages 16 to 24.
Explore local, in-demand job opportunities and connect with employers who are hiring now. Network with community partners to discover valuable resources and services available in Pierce County, all while building your professional skills and connections in a supportive environment. Don’t miss out on this chance to jumpstart your career! Learn more and register!
Attendees will receive:
- 40+ resources and employers from a variety of industries in Pierce County
- Chance to win a $25 gift card
- Free haircuts/line ups for attendees
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