English, Whittie Jr.

Whittie English Jr. (1917–2006) was a World War II veteran, real estate broker, builder, and influential civic leader whose work expanded homeownership opportunities for African Americans in Bergen County, New Jersey. Over the course of his life, English combined military service, entrepreneurship, and public service to challenge racial barriers and promote economic advancement. During World War II, English served as one of the first African American officers in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. While stationed in Alabama, he was involved in training the Tuskegee Airmen, the all-Black fighter pilot unit that played a critical role in the war and in the eventual desegregation of the U.S. military. His wartime experience placed him at the center of one of the most significant chapters in African American military history. After returning home, English studied masonry and architecture and entered the construction field. He built more than 125 houses in Englewood, many located near his office on Lafayette and Forest Avenues. In 1952, he founded a real estate business, initially selling homes he constructed with his father before concentrating fully on real estate brokerage. He viewed real estate as a flexible and empowering profession, particularly for African Americans seeking economic stability. English devoted his career to helping Black families become first-time homeowners at a time when discriminatory housing practices were widespread. He assisted clients in repairing credit, securing financing, and navigating a system that often excluded them. In some cases, he personally arranged payment plans to make home purchases possible. His efforts helped thousands of African Americans purchase homes in Bergen County, including families moving into communities such as Englewood and Teaneck. His commitment to community extended beyond housing. English served as president of the Black Republican Council, chaired the Bergen County Housing Authority, and was active in both the NAACP and the Urban League of Bergen County. He also helped establish the Englewood Social Club, a professional organization created to support and connect Black men. Remembered by family and colleagues as a trailblazer and mentor, Whittie English Jr. left a lasting legacy rooted in service, opportunity, and leadership. Through his work in housing and public life, he played a central role in reshaping access to property ownership and strengthening African American communities in northern New Jersey. 

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Amsterdam News, August 26, 1965

August 28, 1965

Rightsholder Being Researched