Van Freeman White: Difference between revisions
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adding info box with (a different, CC attributed) image of the bust of Van White in city hall. Adding another reference or two/cleaning up the body's historical context as well. |
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==Life and career== |
==Life and career== |
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White was born in North Minneapolis in 1924. His father died when he was 10 years old leaving him, the eldest of his five siblings, responsible to help take care of the family. He attended [[Camden High School (Minneapolis)|Camden High School]], graduating in 1943 and later working in construction. White married his wife Javanese White in 1955 and had 2 children: son Perri White and daughter Javoni White. Before going into politics, White worked with the [[Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development|Minnesota Department of Economic Security]].<ref name=obit>{{cite news|last1=Duchschere|first1=Kevin|title=Van White, Minneapolis' first black on council, dies|work=Minneapolis Star-Tribune|date=15 July 1993}}</ref> He also became involved with several North Minneapolis community organizations; in 1971, he founded the Willard Homewood Organization in [[Willard-Hay, Minneapolis|Willard-Hay]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biographical note: Van F. White |url=http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00299.xml |website=Minnesota Historical Society |access-date=4 December 2024}}</ref> |
White was born in North Minneapolis in 1924. His father died when he was 10 years old leaving him, the eldest of his five siblings, responsible to help take care of the family. He attended [[Camden High School (Minneapolis)|Camden High School]], graduating in 1943 and later working in construction. White married his wife Javanese White in 1955 and had 2 children: son Perri White and daughter Javoni White. Before going into politics, White worked with the [[Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development|Minnesota Department of Economic Security]].<ref name=obit>{{cite news|last1=Duchschere|first1=Kevin|title=Van White, Minneapolis' first black on council, dies|work=Minneapolis Star-Tribune|date=15 July 1993}}</ref> He also became involved with several North Minneapolis community organizations; in 1971, he founded the Willard Homewood Organization in [[Willard-Hay, Minneapolis|Willard-Hay]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Biographical note: Van F. White |url=http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00299.xml |website=Minnesota Historical Society |access-date=4 December 2024}}</ref> |
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White won a city council seat in 1979, in a race guaranteed to elect the city's first Black alderman.<ref name="legacy-minnpost-2012">{{cite news |last1=Boros |first1=Karen |title=Van White’s legacy runs deeper than his historic Minneapolis City Council breakthrough |url=https://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2012/06/van-whites-legacy-runs-deeper-his-historic-minneapolis-city-council-breakthrough/ |access-date=4 December 2024 |date=June 13, 2012}}</ref> He encouraged commercial development in his North Minneapolis ward and also supported new housing developments, parks and school buildings. White died in 1993 at his home in North Minneapolis.<ref name=obit/> |
White won a city council seat in 1979, in a race guaranteed to elect the city's first Black alderman.<ref name="legacy-minnpost-2012">{{cite news |last1=Boros |first1=Karen |title=Van White’s legacy runs deeper than his historic Minneapolis City Council breakthrough |url=https://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2012/06/van-whites-legacy-runs-deeper-his-historic-minneapolis-city-council-breakthrough/ |access-date=4 December 2024 |date=June 13, 2012}}</ref> He encouraged commercial development in his North Minneapolis ward and also supported new housing developments, parks and school buildings. White died in 1993 at his home in North Minneapolis.<ref name=obit/> |
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Van White Memorial Boulevard, a street in Minneapolis's [[Near North, Minneapolis|Near North]] community, is named in his honor.<ref name=road>{{cite web|last1=Boros|first1=Karen|title=Minneapolis' new Van White road is a short one with long legacy|url=https://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2012/06/minneapolis%E2%80%99-new-van-white-road-short-one-long-legacy|website=MinnPost}}</ref> |
Van White Memorial Boulevard, a street in Minneapolis's [[Near North, Minneapolis|Near North]] community, is named in his honor.<ref name=road>{{cite web|last1=Boros|first1=Karen|title=Minneapolis' new Van White road is a short one with long legacy|url=https://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2012/06/minneapolis%E2%80%99-new-van-white-road-short-one-long-legacy|website=MinnPost}}</ref> |
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[[Category:1993 deaths]] |
[[Category:1993 deaths]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American politicians]] |
[[Category:20th-century American politicians]] |
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[[Category:20th-century Minnesota politicians]] |
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Revision as of 03:31, 19 December 2024
Van Freeman White | |
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.jpg) Bust of Van White at Minneapolis City Hall | |
| Alderman of the Minneapolis City Council from Ward 5 | |
| In office 1980–1989 | |
| Succeeded by | Jackie Cherryhomes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 2, 1924 |
| Died | July 14, 1993 |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Javanese White |
| Children | 2 |
Van Freeman White (August 2, 1924 – July 14, 1993) was a politician from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the first African-American to be elected to the Minneapolis City Council, serving from 1980–1989.
Life and career
White was born in North Minneapolis in 1924. His father died when he was 10 years old leaving him, the eldest of his five siblings, responsible to help take care of the family. He attended Camden High School, graduating in 1943 and later working in construction. White married his wife Javanese White in 1955 and had 2 children: son Perri White and daughter Javoni White. Before going into politics, White worked with the Minnesota Department of Economic Security.[1] He also became involved with several North Minneapolis community organizations; in 1971, he founded the Willard Homewood Organization in Willard-Hay.[2]
White won a city council seat in 1979, in a race guaranteed to elect the city's first Black alderman.[3] He encouraged commercial development in his North Minneapolis ward and also supported new housing developments, parks and school buildings. White died in 1993 at his home in North Minneapolis.[1]
Van White Memorial Boulevard, a street in Minneapolis's Near North community, is named in his honor.[4]
References
- ^ a b Duchschere, Kevin (15 July 1993). "Van White, Minneapolis' first black on council, dies". Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
- ^ "Biographical note: Van F. White". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ Boros, Karen (June 13, 2012). "Van White's legacy runs deeper than his historic Minneapolis City Council breakthrough". Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ Boros, Karen. "Minneapolis' new Van White road is a short one with long legacy". MinnPost.