{"id":287007,"date":"2026-09-16T04:28:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T04:28:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/287007\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T04:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T04:28:10","slug":"labor-day-2026-the-city-of-philadelphia-celebrated-sam-staten-jr-an-experience-he-will-never-forget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/287007\/","title":{"rendered":"Labor Day 2026, the City of Philadelphia celebrated Sam Staten Jr. – an experience he will never forget"},"content":{"rendered":"

LIUNA-Laborers Local 332 leader Sam Staten Jr., surrounded by Philadelphia City Councilmembers, Mayor Cherelle Parker and State Sen. Vincent Hughes, is honored with a street renaming of Thompson Street to Samuel Staten, Jr. Drive.<\/p>\n

Photo by Webster Riddick<\/p>\n

By Thera Martin<\/p>\n

The large crowd that convened last Monday at 1300 W. Thompson Street in North Philadelphia were not there just to celebrate the Labor Day holiday. They came to celebrate the legacy of a man with the unveiling of a new street sign: Samuel Staten, Jr. Drive. The number of people who showed up on a day meant as a relaxing day off from work, when they could have been anywhere, spoke volumes to how they felt about the labor leader.<\/p>\n

Samuel \u201cSam\u201d Staten Jr. has followed in his legendary father Samuel Staten Sr.\u2019s footsteps, working in the skilled trades. He began his career in the early 1970s as a young field laborer with the Laborers\u2019 International Union of North America (LIUNA). Now the business manager for LIUNA Local 332 \u2014 a role once held by his father \u2014 Staten worked his way up through various positions in the local and beyond.<\/p>\n

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Sam is visibly moved when presented with a beautiful painting of him and his legendary father Samuel Staten, Sr. He is joined on stage with LDC Business manager Ryan Boyer, and Sam\u2019s wife, Toni Staten. Photo by Webster Riddick<\/p>\n

Since 2016, Staten Jr. has served as vice president of LIUNA\u2019s international organization, has served as secretary-treasurer and delegate of the Laborers\u2019 District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia & Vicinity, and is the founder of the Samuel Staten Sr. Pre-Apprenticeship Program.<\/p>\n

Labor Day 2026 was a day of tributes and celebration for Sam Staten, Jr., including recognition from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a longtime friend and supporter, . who was front and center for the street sign unveiling.<\/p>\n

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Sam is presented with the Key to the City award, flanked by (at left) Ryan Boyer, wife Toni Staten; and handing Sam the award is Chief Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garrett-Hartley, and City Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. Photo by Webster Riddick<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than 50 years ago, Samuel \u201cSam\u201d Staten Jr. began as a field laborer,\u201d Parker said. \u201cToday, he is a vice president of LIUNA and business manager of Laborers\u2019 Local 332. Alongside the men and women of labor, he has spent his life opening doors and fighting for working families.\u201d Parker went on to express her gratitude for his help in her own career. She then went on to present Staten with a \u201cKey to the City.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vocalist Ashli Rice serenaded Staten with \u201cWind Beneath My Wings,\u201d after which the mayor and City councilmembers gifted a beautiful portrait of Sam standing next to his dad. Staten was clearly moved by the gift.<\/p>\n

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Vocalist Ashli Rice sings \u201cWind Beneath My Wings,\u201d in Sam\u2019s honor. Photo by Webster Riddick<\/p>\n

Parker went on to thank Ryan Boyer of the Philadelphia Building Trades and Laborers\u2019 District Council; Local 332 leaders Cory Robinson, John McCarty, Malik Staten and Gracia Louis; Willie Singletary for organizing the grand event on behalf of the Mayor\u2019s Office, as well as vocalist Ashli Rice, Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (D-5th Dist.), supporters and well-wishers.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, generations to come will see his name and know what he has meant to this city,\u201d Parker said.<\/p>\n

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The Honorable Jacquelyn-Frazier Lyde with Philadelphia Branch NAACP President Catherine Hicks. Photo by Webster Riddick<\/p>\n

Young introduced a resolution for the name change. He praised Staten as a \u201cgiant in the Labor Movement industry\u201d and considered Labor Day the perfect day to hold the celebration.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy recognizing Staten, you recognize its workers also,\u201d Young said. \u201cIt\u2019s a recognition of people, of skills, whose hands and determination built this country. It\u2019s a tribute to the workers who organized and organized when it was dangerous. Who stood together, when standing together came at a cost. Who fought for wages, protections and opportunities so that generations of working people could depend on them now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Sam speaks to the audience about his beautiful reception and gifts in his honor, like this painting of him and his father Samuel Sr. Photo by Webster Riddick<\/p>\n

\u201cSamuel Staten Jr. has spent more than five decades standing up for workers,\u201d Young said. \u201cSo today, on Labor Day in Philadelphia, we\u2019re doing more than a street renaming. Philadelphia is saying thank you, for your lifetime of work. Thank you for your lifetime of leadership. Thank you for your lifetime of creating opportunities for others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis significant milestone honors a true champion of our community and a dedicated leader of Laborers Local 332,\u201d said City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. (D-4th Dist.). \u201cSam embodies commitment and sacrifice. His relentless advocacy for workers\u2019 rights has transformed lives and improved conditions for countless individuals. With a leadership style rooted in compassion, he continually strives to uplift those around him and ensure every voice is heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Sam Staten Jr. with retired school counselor Estelle Matthews. Photo by Webster Riddick<\/p>\n

Staten\u2019s 50 years of leadership \u201chas helped open doors and create opportunities for generations of working families,\u201d said Councilmember-At-Large, Katherine Gilmore Richardson \u201cThis is why it is the Samuel Staten Jr. Training Center that has proudly graced the cover of our Apprenticeship Guidebook year after year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staten is always ready to help in any way he can, building upon the powerful legacy of his father, Samuel Staten Sr., Gilmore Richardson added. Full of pride and emotion, Staten was clearly moved by the accolades and distinction of having a street renamed in his honor.<\/p>\n

It was a day he said he would never forget.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like the whole city came out to celebrate me [by] having a street renamed in my honor,\u201d Staten said. \u201cThe mayor, several state senators, some state representatives, a host of City councilmembers, union members [from] everywhere, and of course my family \u2014 it was a bit overwhelming and yes, I did get emotional. I was touched down to my very core, As I sat on the stage, it almost felt surreal. I kept going in and out, in my mind. In life, you just don\u2019t know what\u2019s in store for you. For me, I\u2019ve never lived my life to do things to claim glory and to get credit, so when people show genuine love like this, it fills you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI started thinking about family members who are no longer here,\u201d Staten continued. \u201cI thought about [those] whose spirit was there with me. I looked out at the crowd and all the people who came out for me \u2014 it was all very touching, for sure. Everything that I am today is because of the way my father and mother and grandparents raised me. I come from a strong family that sticks together, I understand I didn\u2019t just \u201carrive.\u201d I was nurtured. I was taught. People didn\u2019t give up on me when I made a few bad choices in my early years. That\u2019s why I [will not] give up on people today. I am humbled for the honor of having 13th and Thompson named after me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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