Black truck drivers have played a critical role in the U.S. economy for over a century, serving as a vital component of the transportation industry. From early pioneers like Robert L. Crawford, who was one of the first black truckers to own his own trucking company, to inventors like Fredrick Mckinley Jones, an inventor who developed the technology used to refrigerate truck loads, black truckers have a rich history of contributions to the industry.
Today, black truck drivers continue to make a significant impact, providing essential services and driving economic growth. Despite still present racism and prejudice, black truckers have persevered and continue to provide critical components of American trucking history.
In this article, we will explore the history, impact, and current role of black truck drivers in the U.S. economy.
The History of Black Drivers in the Transportation Industry
Like many aspects of American history, the trucking industry was not always friendly to African Americans. However, black drivers made major waves that still ripple through the culture of drivers today, and knowing their struggles can help us understand how to move forward and continue to be better.
Trucking in the Jim Crow Era
The Jim Crow era was a time of segregation and discrimination against black Americans, particularly in the Southern United States, from the late 1800s to the 1960s. During this time, black Americans were subject to a wide range of discriminatory laws and practices, including separate and unequal facilities and services, disfranchisement, and widespread violence and harassment.
During all this, black truckers faced numerous difficulties and challenges in the trucking industry. They were often denied access to trucking jobs and training programs due to segregation, limiting their opportunities and advancement in the industry.
Black truckers also faced a hostile work environment, with many experiencing racial harassment and violence on the road and in truck stops, like Willie Edwards Jr., who was killed by white Klansmen in 1957 while driving his truck.
Despite these challenges, black truckers persevered and continued to make a significant impact on the American economy.
Black Truck Drivers in the 21st Century
Since the end of the Jim Crow era in 1968, black involvement in the trucking industry has risen, but not as quickly as we would like. Progress has certainly been made regarding equal opportunities and breaking down barriers to entry. However, black truckers still face challenges in the industry.
Today, black truckers are an integral part of the American trucking community, and their contributions are valued and recognized by the industry and society at large. However, progress is still needed to ensure that black truckers have equal access to opportunities and fair treatment in the workplace.
Significant Black Innovators in Transportation
African Americans have had major and often overlooked contributions to society as we know it today, and the trucking industry is no different.
Here are a few innovators and boundary-pushers that helped get our industry where it is today:
Curly and Annie Neal
The impact of William “Curly” Neal and his business partner and wife, Annie Neal, has reached throughout the years of the trucking industry and even popular society. If you’ve ever yelled out the phrase, “I’ve got shotgun!” when approaching the car hoping to lock down the passenger seat, you’re unintentionally quoting the powerful Annie Neal, who rode in the front seat with a literal shotgun protecting her husband Curly as they drove cargo across the country.
Frederick McKinley Jones
Frederick Mckinley Jones was a brilliant, black mechanical engineer in the early 1900s who offered the world many technological gifts, such as a device used to sync audio and video in early motion pictures, a movie-ticket dispenser, and one of the first iterations of the snowmobile. In the 1940s, Jones worked on multiple versions of a portable cooling system for use inside shipping trucks.
After building Model A, which was a bit too heavy, Model B, which wasn’t sturdy enough, he finished Model C in 1949. This technology allowed for chilled storage in cross-country shipping, expanding the opportunities for truckers in the food shipment industry.
Gladys West
Gladys West was a brilliant mathematician and computer programmer who made significant contributions to the development of GPS technology. She was one of a small group of African American women who worked on the development of GPS at the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center in the mid-20th century.
West's work in developing complex mathematical algorithms and models laid the foundation for the GPS system we use today, revolutionizing the trucking industry and the way goods are transported.
The Impact of Black Truck Drivers on the Modern U.S. Economy
Aside from helping develop the industry and technology that we know and depend on today, black truckers have impacted the transportation industry and the modern U.S. economy.
Here are a few ways how:
Boosting Employment
The American transportation industry has provided a significant source of employment for African American carriers, especially with companies that utilize modern technology balanced with forward-thinking, helping to support communities and families and boost economic growth in underrepresented communities. This helps both the trucking industry and the drivers themselves support the local and national economy.
Driving Economic Growth Up
With the growing surge of African American drivers working in the shipment of goods and products, black truckers have played a key role in driving economic growth across the country, helping push businesses to meet consumer demands and compete in the global marketplace. Especially while the demand for truckers increases, the rise of black drivers has helped level out the ability for companies to get products across the country on time.
Overcoming Adversities
Despite facing discrimination and limited opportunities, black truckers have demonstrated their resilience and determination, overcoming obstacles and paving the way for future generations. The work that black truck drivers are putting in today to overcome racism and prejudice will open the industry to more hard-working Americans down the road, expanding the productivity of drivers in all demographics.
Why Has There Been a Recent Increase in Black Truck Drivers?
Throughout truck driving, the industry has been predominantly white, older men. However, in the last 10 years, the percentage of black truckers has steadily risen.
Here are a few reasons why:
Demand for Drivers
While perhaps not specific to black truck drivers, there has been a high increase in demand for truckers across the country. According to the American Trucker Association, there was recently a shortage of 80,000 truckers compared to the job market, with the expectation for that number to double over the next decade.
This demand potentially increases the amount of pay and opportunities in the community for African American drivers to consider.
Solidarity on Social Media
Unfortunately, like many industries, trucking has a racism problem. Many black drivers can recount experiencing racism against them from other truckers, companies, clientele, and more. Considering the general danger that comes along with career trucking, this makes the opportunity less enticing to African American drivers who might otherwise be interested in getting behind the wheel.
However, to combat this, groups of support and solidarity have formed on social media sites and the internet in general. Groups such as Black Truckers United and She Trucking offer a community space for black truckers to prosper and form against racism in the industry.
What Does the Future Hold for Black Truck Drivers?
Black truck drivers have played a critical role in the U.S. economy since before we were driving trucks, and their contributions have been essential to the ongoing growth and stability of the transportation industry. While challenges and obstacles remain, the future for black truck drivers is uncertain but promising.
With the continued need for qualified drivers and the growing demand for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, black truck drivers are poised to continue to make a significant impact and growth. As the industry evolves, technology advances and the American culture diversifies, black truckers will likely play an even more critical role in shaping the future of the American transportation landscape.
Sources:
Willie Edwards Jr. | PBS
ATA, Chief Economist Pegs Driver Shortage Historic High | Trucking.org
Truck Driver Demographics | Zippia
Black Truckers United
She Trucking
