On July 19, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order that led to the establishment of the Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC). This was part of an effort to address discrimination in the workplace, particularly in the defense industry, during World War II. The order aimed to ensure that African Americans and other minority groups had access to employment opportunities, especially in government contracts and defense-related industries, which were vital to the war effort.

The creation of the FEPC was a response to mounting pressure from civil rights groups, most notably the March on Washington Movement led by A. Philip Randolph, who threatened a large-scale march to demand equal employment opportunities. Although the FEPC had limited power and resources, it marked a significant step toward combating racial discrimination in employment and laid the foundation for future civil rights advancements.