Who is Chris Smalls?

Christian Smalls is an entrepreneur and activist. He felt strongly about fair treatment for workers, and freedom for underrepresented communities. He advocates for BIPOC, LGBTQ, immigrant and disabled communities to be included in the workforce. Additionally, he fought against genocide in Gaza by spreading awareness on ways his audience can be involved in the fight.  From studying to be a rapper to fighting for a revolution, Chris paves a way for workers to work under reliable wages and secure working environments.

Becoming a Man with the Plan

How did a black man from New Jersey end up on the frontlines to demand safer working conditions in Staten Island, New York? He continued to take a stance against rich business owners. Working first hand at Amazon as a supervisor exposed him to working conditions and excessive labor under minimum wage. He knew he couldn’t be the only one baffled by the treatment at his position, during COVID, at that. After countless complaints to HR, he knew he had to advocate and prevent further conflict. He connected with his employees to understand where they stood at their time with Amazon. This encouraged him to create a union drive, with nothing but a dream and a good heart

“But we learned from their mistakes, we learned from the opportunities that we saw and we tried it our own way. And we don't regret the decision that we made. I felt that you're going to make decisions based on the workers in the warehouse, then who better than the workers in the warehouse.” - Christian Smalls, Marianne Williamson Interview

He raised over 100k in donations to combat Amazon’s attempts to silence him. After he was fired in 2020, he was left in a vulnerable position financially and socially. He sought out help from his family and former coworkers. He brought attention to this mistreatment by creating a labor union with their help. His efforts in calling out Amazon has helped protect workers not only under this company, but for all workers getting the treatment they should not be begging for.

Involvement in Activism

Christian continues to advocate through community events. He partnered with NJ Center for Non-Profits at their briefing event. He also was a speaker at the Social Justice Speaker Series event in Ohio in 2023. This gave workers and the general public the opportunity to learn how Chris took action to protect the working class politically and economically.

“As a father, as a labor leader, as a US tax-paying citizen, I’m taking a stance and putting my life on the line again to try to do something that is much needed beyond the scope of us.” - Christian Smalls, TheEmpireFiles.tv Interview

Christian Smalls doesn’t stop at being a labor union leader, and continues advocating for other causes. He became the founder of The Congress of Essential Workers to encourage activists to be involved in preventing unfair working conditions happening worldwide. Through protests and collaborating with organizations, Chris Smalls became a leader who sheds light on maltreatment within the workforce.

“You’ve seen the uprising of unions from Starbucks. You’ve seen all the strikes happening across the country. I think the labor movement has a microscope on it right now…This is not about us, this is about the people of Palestine.”  - Christian Smalls, Democracyatwrk Interview

Sources 

Williamson, Marianne. “My Interview with Christian Smalls.” MY INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN SMALLS, TRANSFORM with Marianne Williamson, 31 July 2022, www.transformarticles.com/p/my-interview-with-christian-smalls. 

“Chris Smalls.” D4BL, d4bl.org/people/62-chris-smalls. Accessed 31 July 2025. 

“Our Shared Mission and Vision.” Amazon Labor Union-IBT Local 1, www.amazonlaborunion.org/mission-and-vision. Accessed 31 July 2025. 

“Chris Smalls Facts for Kids.” Chris Smalls Facts for Kids, kids.kiddle.co/Chris_Smalls. Accessed 31 July 2025.