APRI is an Organization of Black Trade Unionists Fighting for Racial Equality and Economic Justice.

Deboraha Lee Sallee, President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute Greater Battle Creek Chapter, is one of the original organizers of the chapter and has been with the organization for 49 years and president for 46 years. APRI was founded on the needs for social, political and economic justice for blacks and all dispossessed Americans. Deboraha was also instrumental in organizing the Michigan State APRI in 1972 and set on the Ex. Board as 2nd VP and currently holds the office of 3rd Vice President.

APRI has honored Deboraha numerous times including The National Women in Leadership Award, the Greater Battle Creek Chapter’s Recognition Award in 2000 and 2004, and she was inducted into the National APRI Roll of Honor in 2003 recognizing her many years of dedication, outstanding service and distinguished leadership to APRI.

Deboraha was also included in Who’s Who in America, 2000, and 2023 books, received the Sojourner Truth Award in 2008 from the Battle Creek Club National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women, the Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have a Dream Award in 2009 from the SW MI Urban League and the Rosa Parks Award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Battle Creek Branch in 2009.

Deeply involved with the Second Missionary Baptist Church, she is serving in the Ministries of Deaconess, 1 ST Vice President, Inspirational Choir & Praise Choral, and Women’s Ministry. Past leadership positions within the church include: The Ministries of Trustee and Rec. Secretary, and Youth Ministry, Asst. Sec. when needed. Second’s New Vision and Outreach Ministries: Present: Committee Member with Music Ministry Workshop, and Assistant Director, “WE’RE READING!” After School Literacy Incentive Program. Past: Director in the North Side Senior Meal Program. Deboraha is also a member of the NAACP Battle Creek Branch. She sits on the City of Battle Creek Commission Board as a Commissioner for the City of Battle Creek, the Historical District Committee, and was on the Special Assessment Commission. She is Media Liaison for Calhoun County Faith-Based Coalition. She is a past member of Southwestern Michigan Urban League.

Deboraha is a retired member of Service Employees International Union Local #527 and was an original organizer of SEIU Unit #26, City of Battle Creek Employees, she held the office of Recording Secretary, she is a delegate for APRI-GBCC to the So. Central MI. AFL/CIO Labor Council, she has set on the Executive Board as the first African American woman for Recording Secretary and Secretary/Treasurer, and the Tri-County Labor Agency for Human Services, Inc. Board of Directors.

After graduating from Battle Creek Central High School in 1965 and taking classes toward her associate degree in business administration at Kellogg Community College, Sallee worked in the finance department as an Account Clerk I, II and as Account Clerk, the Asst. Payroll Officer then payroll officer for the City of Battle Creek, retiring in December 2001 after 33 years of service.

Deboraha Lee Sallee, President

A. Philip Randolph Institute

Greater Battle Creek Chapter