Whitney Young was a prominent civil rights leader and social worker who played a crucial role in the struggle for racial equality in the United States. Born on July 31, 1921, in Kentucky, Young became a leading figure in the National Urban League, advocating for economic opportunities and social justice for African Americans.

Throughout his career, Young focused on improving the conditions of urban African Americans through programs that promoted economic empowerment, education, and equal rights. He worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between the civil rights movement and corporate America, believing that economic empowerment was essential for African American progress.

Young used his platform to push for desegregation in schools, employment, and housing, and he was a key advisor to several U.S. presidents on civil rights issues. He also played a significant role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Tragically, Whitney Young died in 1971 at the age of 49, but his legacy as a tireless advocate for racial and economic equality continues to inspire generations of activists and changemakers. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1973 for his contributions to civil rights and social justice.