WHITNEY M. YOUNG, JR.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. American civil-rights activist
born July 31, 1921, Lincoln Ridge, Ky., U.S.
died March 11, 1971, Lagos, Nigeria
Articulate U.S. civil rights leader who spearheaded the drive for equal
opportunity for blacks in U.S. industry and government service during his 10
years as head of the National Urban League (1961–71), the world’s largest
social-civil rights organization. His advocacy of a “Domestic Marshall
Plan”—massive funds to help solve America’s racial problems—was felt to have
strongly influenced federal poverty programs sponsored by Democratic Party
administrations in Washington (1963–69).
After army service in World War II, Young switched his career interest from
medicine to social work, in which he took his M.A. from the University of
Minnesota (1947). Starting as director of industrial relations for the Urban
League at St. Paul, Minn. (1947–50), he moved to Omaha, Neb., where he served as
executive secretary (1950–54). Becoming dean of the School of Social Work of
Atlanta (Georgia) University in 1954, he was instrumental in improving relations
between city and university.
Appointed executive director of the National Urban League in 1961, Young won an
impressive reputation as a national black activist who helped bridge the gap
between white political and business leaders and poor blacks and militants.
Under his direction the organization grew from 60 to 98 chapters and shifted its
focus from middle-class concerns to the needs of the urban poor. He was
particularly credited with almost singlehandedly persuading corporate America
and major foundations to aid the civil rights movement through financial
contributions in support of self-help programs for jobs, housing, education, and
family rehabilitation.
Young, who had been a consultant on racial matters to both Pres. John F. Kennedy
and Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson, was in Nigeria at a conference sponsored by the
Ford Foundation to enhance Afro-American understanding when he died.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. American civil-rights activist
born July 31, 1921, Lincoln Ridge, Ky., U.S.
died March 11, 1971, Lagos, Nigeria
Articulate U.S. civil rights leader who spearheaded the drive for equal
opportunity for blacks in U.S. industry and government service during his 10
years as head of the National Urban League (1961–71), the world’s largest
social-civil rights organization. His advocacy of a “Domestic Marshall
Plan”—massive funds to help solve America’s racial problems—was felt to have
strongly influenced federal poverty programs sponsored by Democratic Party
administrations in Washington (1963–69).
After army service in World War II, Young switched his career interest from
medicine to social work, in which he took his M.A. from the University of
Minnesota (1947). Starting as director of industrial relations for the Urban
League at St. Paul, Minn. (1947–50), he moved to Omaha, Neb., where he served as
executive secretary (1950–54). Becoming dean of the School of Social Work of
Atlanta (Georgia) University in 1954, he was instrumental in improving relations
between city and university.
Appointed executive director of the National Urban League in 1961, Young won an
impressive reputation as a national black activist who helped bridge the gap
between white political and business leaders and poor blacks and militants.
Under his direction the organization grew from 60 to 98 chapters and shifted its
focus from middle-class concerns to the needs of the urban poor. He was
particularly credited with almost singlehandedly persuading corporate America
and major foundations to aid the civil rights movement through financial
contributions in support of self-help programs for jobs, housing, education, and
family rehabilitation.
Young, who had been a consultant on racial matters to both Pres. John F. Kennedy
and Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson, was in Nigeria at a conference sponsored by the
Ford Foundation to enhance Afro-American understanding when he died.