Nathaniel B. White Sr., printing industry giant and first Black Board of Trustees member, envisioned a college for all

In observance of Black History Month, Durham Tech is republishing previous articles that highlight the College's role in advocating for equality. This article originally was published as part of Durham’s 60 for 60, celebrating the College’s 60th anniversary.

Nathaniel B. White Sr. blazed a trail at Durham Tech.  

He was the College’s first African-American Board of Trustee member and a founding member of Durham Industrial Education Center. He was appointed by the Durham County Board of Commissioners and served 32 years as a trustee. 
 
Tamira White, his granddaughter, said White had an intense passion for equality for Black people and that passion led to the inception of Durham Tech in 1961. 
 
“He taught his children and nieces and nephews to prepare for integration despite the forces that fought against it. He knew that to be ready for integration we, as people, would need to be educated just as our counterparts. Through his involvement with the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, he encouraged Blacks to support the bond that would lead to funding for Durham Tech,” she said. “Even though the bond was not intended to benefit Blacks, my grandfather understood that approving the bond would open opportunities for Blacks to receive the education they needed to successfully integrate and succeed.” 
 
White was born in Hertford, N.C., in 1914 and raised in Norfolk, Va.  

At 14, White became a Boy Scout at Mount Olive Baptist Church. Troop 72 was the first Black troop in Norfolk. White later volunteered to become Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 55 and remained Scout Master for 26 years.   
 
Former Ambassador to the Central African Republic Robert Perry, one of White’s former troop members, said White set a great example for young scouts. 
 
"I have appreciated having a leader like Nathaniel White Sr. more in the past decade. He was an example for young teenage boys to show what it means to be a man in your community, to know how to do the right things and help others,” Perry said. “All Scout Masters did not reach that model, so I am very lucky to have him as a Scout Master. He helped a lot of people in Durham with his leadership and produced 26 Eagle Scouts during his time as Scout Master.”

During his tenure with the Boy Scouts, White also enrolled in college. In 1937, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in printing education from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University).

In 1941 he became the co-owner and president of Service Printing Company, the oldest Black-owned printing company in North Carolina. The business printed newspapers for The Carolina Times, which was the only newspaper for Black city residents at the time. The company also printed for the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company and many other Black businesses in Durham.

White was an active member of the Durham community.

In addition to serving as a trustee at Durham Tech, White was also a member of the National Business League, a director of the Durham Business and Professional Chain, a member of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People for more than 50 years, a board member of Mutual Savings and Loan Association, and trustee chairman of White Rock Baptist Church. He also helped to develop Durham’s Human Relations Commission and was a member of the WTVD Minority Advisory Committee.  
 
White joined White Rock Baptist Church in 1940 and was an active member for more than 65 years.   
 
Walter Jackson, a fellow church member, described him as a strong advocate, role model, and leader in the African-American community.  
 
“Mr. White was so active in civic affairs, it is not surprising that led to his involvement in Durham Tech,” Jackson said. “As a business owner in the ’60’s, Mr. White had the prerogative to take firm stands on issues because he wasn’t on anyone else’s payroll.”   
 
In 1973, Building 1 on Durham Tech’s Main Campus was named in his honor, the Nathaniel B. White Building.  

Tamira White remembers that day. She was just 8 years old. 
 
“I remember getting dressed up and standing with my grandfather and family as he was being honored, but I didn't understand the significance of that day,” she said.