Simpsonville in Shelby County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Whitney M. Young Jr.

— Kentucky Black Trailblazers —

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 28, 2025

1. Whitney M. Young Jr. Marker

Inscription. Explore the heritage of Whitney M. Young Jr., a civil rights figure, social worker, and Executive Director of the National Urban League. As part of the 'Big Six' leadership group, he helped orchestrate the historic March on Washington. He was also a trusted counselor to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.

Erected 2024.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights.

Location. 38° 13.326′ N, 85° 21.264′ W. Marker is in Simpsonville, Kentucky, in Shelby County. It is at the intersection of Shelbyville Road (U.S. 60) and Old Veechdale Road, on the left when traveling west on Shelbyville Road. The marker is at Fred Wiche Park to the west of the Wiche Pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7016 Shelbyville Rd, Simpsonville KY 40067, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fred Wiche (a few steps from this marker); Simpsonville Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Stone Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); Capt. John Simpson (approx. 0.4 miles away); "Horrible Massacre" / African American Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Whitney M. Young, Jr. (1921-1971)

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 1.1 miles away); Lincoln Institute Campus (approx. 1.1 miles away); Thelma L. Stovall (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Simpsonville.

Also see . . .
1. Harlem Hellfighters. Click on the link and follow the instructions to see part of a speech by Young in "Augmented Reality" (Submitted on March 29, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

2. About Whitney M. Young, Jr. Kentucky Black Trailblazers site for 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.

(Submitted on March 29, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Whitney M. Young Jr. Marker looking towards Shelbyville Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 28, 2025

2. Whitney M. Young Jr. Marker looking towards Shelbyville Road

Wiche Park Pavilion. Marker is to the right of the pavilion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, March 28, 2025

3. Wiche Park Pavilion. Marker is to the right of the pavilion

Credits. This page was last revised on April 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 129 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.