The 2026 AFL-CIO Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference is officially underway in Baltimore!
Day 1 started off strong with opening remarks from AFL-CIO Civil, Human and Women's Rights Director Alex Rias, followed by a warm welcome from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. The afternoon wrapped up with an Evening with Labor Legends panel—moderated by the Rev. Mark Thompson—featuring powerful reflections by former Maryland State Sen. Michael Mitchell, AFT Secretary-Treasurer Emerita Dr. Lorretta Johnson, Maryland State Sen. and Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 member Cory McCray, and American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 181 member Rictarsha (Rikki) Westmoreland.
“This weekend we will reflect on the work of the leaders and organizers who came before us and to learn from the struggles of the activists who fought for us to be in this very room,” said Rias. “And now, we must do everything in our power to ensure that their sacrifice is honored as we fight for our own future.”
Dr. King’s leadership showed us that civil rights and labor rights are deeply connected. That’s why America’s unions are on the front lines fighting for justice for all, and why we’ll keep fighting so all working people have the dignity and respect they deserve.
You can listen live to Day 2 of the conference at aflcio.tv and TheMLKConference.org.