Marcus Shepherd is the Director of Organizing at the Chicago Federation of Labor. In that role he wears many hats but none more important than helping CFL affiliates in both internal and external strategic organizing. He works with community and faith-based groups to connect the dots between labor, faith, and community, while helping to change people’s paradigm of social and economic wellbeing.
Marcus started his journey in labor with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 7 in Milwaukee, WI in 2005 as a Drywall Finishing Apprentice. Marcus finished his Apprenticeship in 2008/9 at the top of the class as Apprentice of the Year. He would later be appointed as an organizer with DC 7 where he was in that position for three years. While in that role, Marcus became the first black president of Local 781 in Milwaukee, WI.
While working as an OSHA Instructor, Marcus received his Associate’s Degree in Applied Science at MountWest Community & Technical College, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Union Leadership & Administration from The National Labor College, and finally a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from SUNY Empire State College. On Marcus’ journey, he spent five years with the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades as Assistant to the General President on the Organizing team. In that position, he traveled from coast to coast assisting with organizing campaigns and building long lasting relationships with community partners.