Coli Receives Pioneer Award During TNBC Conference

Black Caucus Welcomes Members to Detroit With Focus on Future

A 40-year veteran of the Teamsters Union, Teamsters Joint Council 25 President John T. Coli received the Pioneer Leadership Award from the Teamsters National Black Caucus during its Annual Educational Conference and Banquet on August 13, 2011.

“At its core, the Teamsters National Black Caucus embodies the pioneer spirit, to lead the way, to raise its voice, to break down the walls that divide us and do the right thing,” said Coli. “I am extremely honored to receive this award, but each and every member of the TNBC is a pioneer in their own right, because they participate, because they are Teamsters.”

The TNBC’s 36th Annual Conference kicked off in Detroit on August 10, with the theme, “Turning Hope Into Reality.” More than 450 delegates participated in the four-day event, including representatives from Joint Council 25 affiliates. TNBC President and International Vice President Al Mixon encouraged members to get more involved in their local unions and lead the way in combating the War on Workers.

“There is an attack on workers, but we can’t let that get us down,” said Mixon. “We need to be proud to be Teamsters. We need to be proud to be black Teamsters because a collective bargaining agreement is the greatest equalizer in this country today.”

Coli, who addressed delegates on the final day of the conference, has led Teamsters Local 727 as Secretary-Treasurer since 1992. African-Americans comprise more than half of Local 727’s membership, home to more than 6,000 workers in some of Chicago’s most diverse industries. While speaking in Detroit, Coli acknowledged the pivotal roles African-Americans have held on the local’s Executive Board for generations.

“All of my life, African-Americans have played a major part in Local 727, and a significant role in the history of the Chicago Teamsters,” said Coli. “Today, our board proudly includes Vice President Zeberdee Barnes and Trustee Floyd Hughes, both longtime members.”

The TNBC applauded other labor leaders, members and supporters throughout the conference. On August 11, a special luncheon was dedicated to 45-year Teamster Clara Day, the first African-American woman ever elected to the Teamsters Local 743 Executive Board. Myron Sharp of the International’s Education Department, TNBC Southern Region Chairman Kenneth Page and Detroit City Council Member Brenda Jones also received awards for their service and support.

To become a member of the TNBC or for more information on its Chicago Chapter, visit www.GoTNBC.com. The Executive Board of the TNBC’s Chicago Chapter includes President Tres Peel, Vice President Patricia Gillette, Treasurer Lawrence Mullins, Recording Secretary Ramon Williams, Trustee Zeberdee Barnes, Trustee Norman Wallace, Executive Director Jessie W. Lee and Honorary Executive Director Ted Mullins.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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