Rev. Ralph White Posthumously Honored with the Wurzburg Civil Rights Legacy Award

NASHVILLE-The Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) posthumously honored THRC Commissioner Rev. Ralph White with the Jocelyn D. Wurzburg Civil Rights Legacy Award at its August 26 Commission meeting.

Rev. Ralph White, a native Memphian, served as Pastor of the Bloomfield Full Gospel Baptist Church in Memphis until his passing in 2019. Rev. White served the THRC as a Commissioner representing West Tennessee.

THRC Commissioner Gary D. Behler nominated Rev. Ralph White for the award. “What dear friends we became in such a short period of time. I told my wife long before he passed, if there were more people like Rev. White in the world, we would have a lot less racial acrimony and division,” said Gary D. Behler.

As the Shepherd of Bloomfield, Pastor White had a passion for "rightly dividing the Word of Truth." He served at Bloomfield for thirty-four years. Pastor White was the Founder of the GOD SO LOVE Prayer and Outreach Ministry, and Bloomfield Urban Ministries, Inc. He started the Bloomfield Day Care & Learning Center from 1995-2002.

He attended Memphis City Schools. He furthered his education by attending the University of Arkansas, Memphis State University and Mid-South Bible College. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Detroit Bible College, Detroit, MI.

With a heart for justice, Commissioner White was involved with many organizations including Shelby County Domestic Violence Taskforce, International Overseer of Social Action for The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, Memphis Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board, West Tennessee Field Representative for promise Keepers International, Baptist Ministerial Association, Citizens for Community Values of Memphis, and many more.

Individuals closely associated with Rev. Ralph White remember his impact not only in his professional life but also his personal life. His wife Janet White was presented with the award during the meeting.

The Commission's role is to enforce the state’s anti-discrimination laws which prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation based on race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age (40 and over in employment), familial status (housing only) in employment, housing and public accommodations and coordinates compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the mission of the Commission to safeguard individuals from discrimination through education and enforcement.