Young, Whitney M., Jr.

Young, Whitney M., Jr. (1922–71) social reformer; born in Lincoln Ridge, Ky. He earned a masters degree in social work from the University of Minnesota (1947) and became dean of the Atlanta School of Social Work (1954–61). While a visiting scholar at Harvard University (1960–61) he was named executive director of the Urban League (1961–71). Author of To Be Equal (1964) and Beyond Racism (1969), and recipient of a Presidential Medal of Freedom (1969), he worked quietly to improve African-Americans' condition in the community and at the workplace until his untimely death by drowning while on an African visit.