Pullman Porters were African American men employed by the Pullman Company to serve passengers on luxury trains during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their responsibilities included making beds, serving meals, and ensuring the comfort of travelers in sleeping cars. This job was one of the few available to Black men at the time, providing them with a steady income and a sense of dignity. The role of Pullman Porters was significant in the development of the African American middle class. They played a crucial part in the Civil Rights Movement by organizing labor unions, such as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which fought for better wages and working conditions.