Mr. Donnell R. White, acclaimed as one of Detroit’s eminent emerging leaders, continues a family legacy of being civically engaged, culturally connected and spiritually led.
Mr. White attended Michigan State University and received his bachelor of arts degree in Finance in 2001. During his collegiate career, he worked in the finance industry with Motorola Inc. and Henry Ford Health Systems. Mr. White was also active in student life and became very involved with several organizations serving as president of the Black Caucus, president of the National Pan Hellenic Council, president of the National Association of Black Accountants, a mentor with My Brother’s Keeper Mentor Program and a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Delta Pi Chapter), among others.
Mr. White began as a volunteer in 2002 with the Detroit Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was hired as an administrative assistant in 2003. Rapidly attracting young people to the Association, Mr. White was promoted to Youth & Education Director in 2004. Following the hard fought battle in Michigan for the protection of affirmative action in 2006, Mr. White distinguished himself as an unrelenting force in the civil rights and social justice community speaking throughout the state, and organizing, educating and mobilizing communities. Despite the passage of the anti-affirmative action initiative, Mr. White was recognized as a developing voice for the people and was appointed Deputy Executive Director in 2007. Appointed interim Executive Director in March 2011, Mr. White continues to serve in that capacity and holds the distinction of being the youngest Deputy Director and Executive Director to be appointed in the history of the NAACP.
Committed to being civically engaged, Mr. White is immersed in the community through various local, statewide and national organizations and initiatives. Some include serving as the co-chair of ClearCorps/Detroit, board member of the Michigan Aids Coalition Grant Making Board, member of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Multicultural Advisory Committee, Member of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Detroit Transportation Workforce Diversity Forum, member of the Fellowship Chapel Men’s Christian Fellowship, member of the NAACP National Resolutions Committee and member of the Free and Accepted Masons Prince Hall Affiliation Geometry Lodge #49.
In addition, Mr. White was appointed by Mayor Dave Bing as Detroit Police Commissioner in December 2010. As commissioner, Mr. White has the responsibility of increasing public confidence in the Detroit Police Department by providing accountability through competent, objective and effective civilian oversight in the following ways: 1) Reviewing, evaluating and establishing Detroit Police Department policies, rules and regulations. 2) Reviewing and approving the Detroit Police Department budget annually. 3) Acting as final authority in imposing and reviewing discipline of employees of the Detroit Police Department. 4) Preparing an Annual Report of the Detroit Police Department activities, including the handling of crime, complaints and of future plans. 5) Reviewing and approving the Detroit Police Department personnel promotions.
For his unwavering commitment at a young age, Mr. White was the recipient of the 2010 Michigan FrontPage Newspaper’s inaugural FP: Thirty Award, which honored 30 individuals in southeastern Michigan under age 40 for creating a movement within their professional arenas, personal lives and community connections. Mr. White was also the recipient of the 2007 Michigan Chronicle Newspaper’s Contemporary Pioneer of the year award for his community involvement, activism and dedication to the metro Detroit area. In addition, Mr. White received the 2005 Fifth Third Bank Young History Maker’s Award, for bridging the gap between the work of the civil rights and social justice community and the youth of the next generation. As the recipient of multiple Spirit of Detroit Awards and various other acknowledgements, Mr. White continues to be distinguished for his activism within the community.
Despite his various appointments, awards and honors, Mr. White knows that he “is” because so many people who have gone before him “were.” Mr. White is the beneficiary of a family and community that has wrapped their arms around him, demanded greatness and physically, mentally and spiritually supported the pursuit thereof. Spiritually grounded and fortified, Mr. White leads his life by Micah 6:8 “What does the Lord require of thee but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.”