“What you learn growing up in a place like Buffalo is that your job isn't just your paycheck, it's your identity. It doesn't just give you dollars, it gives you dignity.”

Tom Perez is a former U.S. Secretary of Labor and chair of the Democratic National Committee. He is recognized for his advocacy on workers’ rights and labor policy, shaping national conversations on economic fairness and union representation. His political career spans decades of progressive leadership in both government and party organizing.