Whitney M. Young, Jr.
A pivotal civil rights leader born in Simpsonville, Kentucky
Experience Details
Address
7012-7022 US-60, Simpsonville, KY 40067
GPS Coordinates
38.222302262075324, -85.35448816053066
Notes
Located at Fred Wiche Park.
Location Map
About Whitney M. Young, Jr.
Whitney M. Young Jr., a pivotal civil rights leader born on July 31, 1921, in Simpsonville, Kentucky, played a key role in the fight for racial equality in America. As the head of the National Urban League from 1961 until his untimely death in 1971, Young worked tirelessly to dismantle employment discrimination and improve government services for Black Americans. His advocacy for a “Domestic Marshall Plan” was instrumental in creating initiatives akin to Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty.
As one of the esteemed “Big Six” civil rights leaders, Young was integral in organizing the March on Washington and was a strategic advisor to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. His approach to civil rights focused on economic empowerment and equal opportunity, striving to break down the barriers that hindered Black Americans from achieving full participation in society. Whitney M. Young Jr.’s enduring legacy is felt in the continued efforts toward social justice and his vision of a truly integrated and equitable America. He died on March 11, 1971, leaving an indelible mark on U.S. history and civil rights.
All Shelby County, Kentucky Experiences
Learn More About Shelby County, Kentucky
Shelby County, Kentucky is Your Bourbon Destination and the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World. Visitors delight in the hands-on experiences at Jeptha Creed Distillery, Kentucky’s only mother-and-daughter-owned-and-operated distillery, and get a peek into the world of a large-scale bourbon distillery at Bulleit Distilling Company. Two distilleries are under construction in the county, and with 30 more distilleries located less than 45 minutes away by car, Shelby County is the best place to stay for exploring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.
Stunning vacation rentals, cozy bed and breakfasts, and familiar brand-name hotels are dotted throughout the countryside, ready to accommodate solo travelers, romantic retreats, or large groups alike. Delicious dining is something to be taken seriously in Shelby County, with the internationally-recognized Claudia Sanders Dinner House serving the original recipe for mouthwatering fried chicken, as perfected by the Colonel himself. The Bell House Restaurant on Shelbyville’s historic Main Street serves refined Southern cuisine, including Kentucky’s best Hot Brown, in a relaxed environment, with dozens more restaurants serving every type of cuisine.
Experience the grace and beauty of an American Saddlebred horse in the Saddlebred Capital of the World, where 90+ Saddlebred farms train and show the distinctly American breed, with several farms available to tour.