Whitney Moore Young, Jr. served in a segregated U.S. Army company
in Europe during World War II, where he acted as go-between for
white officers and African American enlisted men. He later referred
to this experience as the inspiration for his later career as an
expert in race relations. With a Master’s degree in Social
Work from the University of Minnesota, Young worked for the Urban
League of St. Paul and later rose to become executive secretary
at the branch in Omaha., Nebraska. At age 33, he was named dean
of Atlanta University’s School of Social Work, where he acquired
a formidable reputation as a skilled and determined administrator
and fundraiser.
In 1961, Young took his talents to the National Urban League as
its executive director. During his ten year tenure, he successfully
secured jobs and training for African-Americans in areas traditionally
closed to them. "Selective Placement" was the name he
gave to this pioneering employment program that was responsible
for moving African-American professionals into well-paid white
collar jobs in major businesses and industries. He was an advisor
on race relations to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon and
his innovative “Marshall Plan” was considered a major
inspiration for the “War on Poverty” of the Johnson
Administration.
Young served as president of the NASW from 1969 until his death
in 1971and is considered one of the principle pioneers in community
organization and advocacy for oppressed people. Equally important,
he pioneered the development of social work in industrial settings
with both union and management.
Whitney Moore Young, Jr.
