“It’s about relationships” — Shomari Davis, retiring from Local 11

By Robert Fulton

After 25 years as a union electrician and the last 17 working for IBEW Local 11, District 1 Business Agent Shomari Davis has retired.

Davis spoke with News at 11 before the July General Membership meeting, which he was attending for an opportunity to see some familiar faces before riding off into the sunset.

Davis said the time was right with talented, young members taking leadership roles throughout the union.

“We have some really, really strong, young folks coming in,” Davis said. “I know we’re in good hands, and the timing worked out.”

Davis worked in the film industry but wanted a career that would help him provide for his family and give him the time to raise his two sons. He cited the consistency and reliability of union work, in addition to its pay and benefits.

“It really allowed me to rear my sons,” Davis said. “The union allowed me to be able to be there to raise my sons, and that was really important.”

During the interview at the July General Membership meeting, IBEW Local 11 Political Director Antonio Sanchez laid out Davis’s legacy at the union.

“Shomari’s organizing is one of the reasons the local is as diverse as it is now,” Sanchez said.

Davis is not planning to spend retirement golfing, fishing, or just taking it easy. He’s joining the Build Decarbonization Coalition, which works to transform buildings through clean energy. Davis will serve as a liaison between the BDC and Labor.

His new role is fitting.

“It’s about relationships,” Davis said of his time at Local 11. “The relationships that you make with staff and with members, with all of the people that are involved with this, is where all the gold is.”