This year, for Black History Month, we're taking a look at a group of leaders who are currently active making Black history across the labor movement. Check back daily for a new profile and meet some of the people working to improve not only their community, but also to improve conditions for working people across the country. Today's profile is Javonta Gatson of the Bricklayers and Allied Crafts (BAC).
Javonta Gatson of BAC Local 4 joined the union in April 2017, when his second daughter had just been born. “I was struggling before joining the BAC. The union apprenticeship program taught me tile setting skills, helping me pay my bills and made a down payment for my house—not to mention the pension and health care for me and my family,” Gatson said. “The amount of BAC signatory contractors gave me opportunities to work on different jobs. I hope more high school graduates will consider trades jobs as their careers.”