Roxanne Brown, a Jamaican-born labor advocate who rose through the ranks of the United Steelworkers (USW), is set to make history as the first Black person and first woman to serve as president of North America’s largest industrial union. Brown will officially assume the role in March, marking a milestone moment for the labor movement and for representation across union leadership.
Brown, who was born in Kingston and migrated to New York at age two, credits her upbringing by a family of strong, union-involved women—whom she affectionately calls “the Amazons”—for shaping her path. Their work in healthcare and with unions such as the nurses’ union and AFSCME’s CSEA introduced her early to labor advocacy.
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“I cut my teeth in our policy shop, learning our core issues and our core values,” Brown said. “I’ve spent my entire career fighting on behalf of our members across so many sectors.”
Her leadership comes at a time when the USW’s membership is more diverse than ever, something Brown believes must be reflected at the highest level. “We are the most diverse union in North America… we’re cradle to grave and have everything in between,” she said, noting that the new executive board she will lead will be the most diverse in the organization’s history.
Still, Brown acknowledges the challenges that come with leading a traditionally male-dominated union, especially when public perception of the USW often conjures an image that does not resemble her.
“When people think about our union, there’s an image that comes to mind that does not look like me,” she said. “But the reality is our members are incredibly diverse—in sectors, in backgrounds, in every way.”
Brown also addressed the economic turbulence surrounding tariffs and shifting industrial policy. “This current environment of tariffs is not strategic and creates uncertainty—not just for sectors but for our ability to use the tools we’ve relied on for survival,” she explained. Her approach includes intensified engagement, education, and advocacy at every level of government. “Engage, engage, engage—because we are charged to do that on behalf of our membership.”
For Brown, her historic leadership is part of a broader shift across American labor institutions. “Leadership should always reflect who is being led,” she said. “I’m opening the door so that others know what is possible. It is not about us alone; it is about what we represent.”
The USW represents workers involved in producing a vast array of goods and services, including:
• Goodyear, Bridgestone Firestone and Michelin tires
• Libby glassware
• Starbucks cups
• Paper towels
• Amazon boxes
• Wine and beer bottles
• Car components including steel and glass
• Glass used in iPhones and Android devices
• Fiber optic cables for 5G networks
• Oil and petrochemical products
• Cement
• Pharmaceutical products, including some COVID-19 medications
• School buses and taxi services in select regions
• Coffins and caskets
Brown’s ascension signals not only a personal achievement but also a transformational moment for organized labor as it continues to evolve to meet the realities—and demographics—of the modern workforce.
