Douglas H. White is an American civil rights activist, lawyer and public servant. He participated in early 1960s civil rights demonstrations while earning his undergraduate degree at North Carolina Central University. He moved to New York City to work as a community organizer and welfare worker before earning his Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School in 1971, where he cofounded the Black Law Students Union. White dedicated his professional career to human rights and labor equity, serving under Governor Mario Cuomo as the New York State Commissioner of Human Rights. He later held key municipal leadership roles, including New York City Personnel Director and Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Fire Department.