Civil rights activist Whitney M. Young Jr., born on July 31, 1921, in Lincoln Ridge, Kentucky, is best known for expanding the reach of the National Urban League (NUL) and raising unprecedented funds for civil rights efforts.
Famed Musician Duke Ellington honored with scroll at the 17th Annual Fall supper and dance of the National Urban League Guild at the Rainbow Room in New York City, Nov. 14, 1965. From left to right are: Whitney M. Young, Jr., of President National Urban League; Lena Horne, famed blues singer; Duke Ellington; Mrs. Mollie Moon, chairman of National Urban League Guild. (AP Photo/Lederhandler)
With a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, Young volunteered and took leadership roles in the NUL and NAACP. In 1961, he became the executive director of the NUL, significantly growing its membership and forging relationships with high-profile white business and political leaders to secure more jobs for Black Americans and federal aid for inner cities.
Three of the six leaders of African American organizations who met with President Lyndon B. Johnson Nov. 19, 1964, talk with reporters at the White House after the meeting. They met to discuss various problems and see what lies ahead in the session that lasted about an hour. They are, left to right: James Farmer, national director of the Congress of Racial Equality; Whitney M. Young, Jr., executive director of the National Urban League; Dorothy Height of the National Council of Negro Women. (AP Photo)
Whitney M. Young Jr. died in March 1971 in Nigeria.
