Hughes-Peterson Publishing

"Service Not Servitude"

This unique book with the preface written by renowned historian Lerone Bennett and excerpts from Nikki Giovanni’s poem "Train Rides", is a unique compilation with chapters that make very interesting reading. The book contains a historic registry listing of African American railroad employees who worked for the railroad from the late 1800’s - 1969; combined with chapters highlighting the origin and method used to complete the book, a glimpse inside Chicago style politics, and an in depth look at the legendary legacy of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) labor union. The BSCP founded by A. Philip Randolph in 1925, was the first Black labor union in America chartered under the American Federation of Labor. Click here to watch video trailer
In addition to the book being an important educative contribution to an often overlooked component of American history; it can also serve as an aid to: genealogists, historians and most importantly descendants of these men, moreover, to all who are interested in research on what has become a growing area of interest. The publication of An Anthology Of Respect: The Pullman Porters National Historic Registry of African American Railroad Employees, represents a unique scholarly contribution to the fields of African American and American Labor History.

This Anthology of Respect is a reminder of a living legacy and a clarion call to continue what A. Philip Randolph and the Brotherhood defined as "the unfinished task of emancipation." Lyn Hughes, the founder-director of Chicago's A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, knows this story as well as anyone, and she reminds us in Anthology of Respect of a labor milestone that helped create the new world of Black and White America.

Lerone Bennett ,Jr.



Pullman Porters known as the "Ambassadors of Service" Transformed early train travel into the Golden Age of Rail , while their Brotherhood became the foundation for Americas’ first black labor union. Anthology of Respect, with more than 3000 entries captures their real sentiments, stories, and family remembrances that give voice to what was an often unseen and unheard of force that created the Black Labor Movement in America. “The five years invested in this research was time well spent. I believe this registry will become an invaluable resource. There are numerous collections of data on these men however; I believe this is the first attempt to assemble and present data of this type in a user-friendly manner” “Great idea and long overdue!”


Paula Robinson
Midwest Advisor
National Trust For Historic Preservation




"This is a wonderful collection that speaks poignantly and passionately about the lives and the legacy of the Pullman Porters. A group of men who fought discrimination by unionization, whose exploits will be better remembered because of this publication.”

Lonnie Bunch, Director
National Museum of African American History and Culture




“This important anthology and registry pays tribute to a group of African American men who “hid behind the mask” but were important contributors to their communities, their families and generations who followed them.”

Dr. Spencer Crew President
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center



10% percent of all books sales will go to Autism One, a charity organization, which helps children with autism recover.