On this week’s Labor Heritage Power Hour, scholar and creator Shana L. Redmond sits down with Naomi R Williams, Assistant Professor of Labor Studies and Employment Relations at Rutgers University, to discuss Williams' new book A Blueprint for Worker Solidarity: Class Politics and Community in Wisconsin.

Williams takes us into the history of Racine, Wisconsin — a small industrial city where, in the 1970s and 80s, workers built cross-racial, cross-sector alliances that transformed their community. From “total person unionism” to coalitions linking labor, civil rights, and women’s movements, Racine’s story offers a powerful blueprint for building democracy and justice today.

This episode also features John Lewis Says Freedom, a brand-new song from musical storyteller and political satirist Charlie King.



WPFW’s Summer Fund Drive—support the station for jazz and justice here or call 202-588-9739.

Tags: labor history, worker solidarity, Racine Wisconsin, Naomi Williams, Shauna Redmond, unions, WPFW, Summer Fund Drive, civil rights, total person unionism

Broadcast on August 14, 2025 on WPFW 89.3FM in Washington, DC. and other stations across America on the Pacifica Network.

Hosted by Chris Garlock and Kimmon “Macgyver” Williams; produced by Chris Garlock; engineered by Mike Nasella & Kahlia Chapman.

The Labor Heritage Power Hour is a member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network.



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