From the backwoods of North Carolina, George White rose to graduate from Howard University in 1877, becoming first an educator and then a lawyer. Elected to both houses of the North Carolina legislature just after Reconstruction ended, he later served as an elected state solicitor for 8 years until his election in 1896 to the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina’s Second District. From 1897 to 1901, his was the sole voice in Congress for some 10 million African Americans, including as author of a bill to outlaw lynching, and standing strong against the erosion of political rights for all. When the right to vote was denied to North Carolina's black citizens in 1900, White left politics, choosing instead to build an economic power base for people of color in Philadelphia, PA. He ran his own law firm, founded the People's Savings Bank, and managed his new land development company, helping black citizens become owners of land, homes, and businesses in Whitesboro, NJ. White died in Philadelphia in 1918. In the dark decades that followed, his story was all but lost, but is finally being told again today.
Who was George Henry White?
The new Whitesboro Post Office was officially welcomed Sept. 5, with a ribbon-cutting event, attended by postal representatives, elected officials and community members.
The Cheatham-White Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program for students attending North Carolina Central University and N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University beginning Fall 2018. This program was designed to provide an outstanding educational experience for exceptional scholars with a wide range of interests, proficient in areas of both the arts and sciences, demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to service.
It will soon be a century since his death, but the memory and legacy of George Henry White are alive and well in his childhood home, Columbus County’s Welches Creek Township. The onetime North Carolina congressman...
One of America’s most distinguished early civil rights leaders, Congressman George Henry White (R-NC), will be honored with the dedication of a headstone for his gravesite at Historic Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, on October 29, 2015.
On Saturday, October 1, 2016 at 12 noon, the Historic Dryborough Association will host a free, special exhibit, program, and bus tour that will highlight the extraordinary life of United States Congressman George H. White, Sr. (1852-1918). The event will be held at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library in the Hayden Hodges Jones Auditorium. Everyone is welcome to attend this historic event.
A bill for the protection of all citizens of the United States against mob violence, and the penalty for breaking such laws. Introduced by Mr. WHITE and referred to Committee on the Judiciary on January 20, 1900
Progress continues on the renovation and restoration of the George Henry White Community Memorial Center, which is intended to highlight the legacy and life of the late Congressman George Henry White and will serve as a community center for residents in his birth county.
This memorial is a place intended to serve as a focus for the memory of the life and legacy of the late Congressman George Henry White (1852-1918), in his birth place; and to provide a location in Bladen County for the commemoration, remembrance, and recognition of the rich history of the Farmer’s union community and its surrounding neighbors.
During the 25th Annual Whitesboro Reunion Festival, August 30-September 1, 2013 a Historic Marker honoring Congressman George Henry White, a founding member of Whitesboro, NJ will be unveiled at the west corner of Shore Road/Route 9 North and Main Street in Whitesboro, NJ. A screening of George Henry White American Phoenix will follow.
For a donation of $20, you will receive a DVD copy of George Henry White: American Phoenix. All proceeds towards the George Henry White Fund, supporting future screenings of the documentary and efforts to raise awareness of the life and legacy of George Henry White.
Help Support the George Henry White Fund
All donations towards the George Henry White (GHW) Fund will help support efforts to raise awareness of his life and legacy. Current initiatives include: future screenings and expansion of the GHW American Phoenix DVD, installation of a headstone at GHW’s grave site at the Historic Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, PA, the establishment of the GHW Community Memorial Center in Bladen County, NC, his birth county, and supporting various educational activities to raise awareness of GHW, and other African-American heroes omitted from the mainstream of American history publications, events and museums.
All contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law under section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS Code. For your reference, our tax ID is 56-2068902.