James Phipps

James Phipps, a 75-year-old activist from Marks, Mississippi, has been a lifelong advocate for civil rights and labor issues since his teenage years. He played a significant role in the 1960s civil rights movement, participating in the integration of his local high school and organizing with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Phipps was also involved in the Mississippi Freedom Labor Union, which fought for better wages and working conditions for sharecroppers. Currently working in administrative support in Cook County and a member of SEIU Local 73, Phipps continues to advocate for social justice and healthcare access, drawing parallels between the struggles of immigrants today and those faced by African Americans during the Jim Crow era.