Privilege and Prejudice: The Life of a Black Pioneer

by Clifton R. Wharton Jr.

Privilege and Prejudice is a stereotype-defying autobiography. It reveals a Black man whose good fortune in birth and heritage and opportunity of time and place helped him to forge breakthroughs in four separate careers. Clifton R. Wharton Jr. entered Harvard at age 16. The first Black student accepted to the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins, he went on to receive a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago—another first. For twenty-two years he promoted agricultural development in Latin America and Southeast Asia, earning a post as chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation. He again pioneered higher education firsts as president of Michigan State University and chancellor of the sixty-four-campus State University of New York system. As chairman and CEO of TIAA-CREF, he was the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company. His commitment to excellence culminated in his appointment as deputy secretary of state during the Clinton administration. A remarkable story of persistence and courage, Privilege and Prejudice also documents the challenges of competing in a society where obstacles, negative expectations, and stereotypical thinking remained stubbornly in place. An absorbing and candid narrative, it describes a most unusual childhood, a remarkable family, and a historic career.

Genres: Biography Memoir, Nonfiction

630 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Clifton Reginald Wharton Jr. was an American university president, corporate executive and former United States deputy secretary of state. In his multiple careers, he has been an African-American pioneer.

Reviews

[Susan Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Privilege & Prejudice, the Life of a Black Pioneer, October by Michigan State University Press, defies the persistent stereotypes about race and achievement. Dr. Wharton was able to achieve breakthroughs in four separate careers--economics, higher education, business, government.


Clifton R. Wharton Jr. entered Harvard at age sixteen. He was the first Black student accepted to the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins, and went on to receive a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago—another first. For twenty-two years he promoted agricultural development in Latin America and Southeast Asia, earning a post as chairman of the Rockefeller Foundation. He again pioneered higher education firsts as president of Michigan State University and chancellor of the sixty-four-campus State University of New York system. As chairman and CEO of TIAA-CREF, he was the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company. His commitment to excellence culminated in his appointment as deputy secretary of state during the Clinton administration.

In addition to learning Dr. Wharton’s fascinating life story, you will also meet, as Dr. Wharton met, national leaders in business, philanthropy, higher education, and government -- names like Nelson and John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Theodore Hesburgh, Paul Volcker, Bill and Judith Moyers, Henry Ford II, Cy Vance, Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, Hubert Humphrey, Theodore Schultz, Vernon Jordan, William Friday, Milton Friedman, Kenneth Clark, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Andrew Brimmer, John Whitehead, Sol Linowitz, and Presidents Carter, Ford, and Clinton.

A remarkable story of persistence and courage, PRIVILEGE AND PREJUDICE also documents the challenges of competing in a society where obstacles, negative expectations, and stereotypes remained stubbornly in place. An absorbing and candid narrative, it describes a most unusual life.

[Rodney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard not to root for Clifton Wharton as you read his story. There's so much detail laid out in this memoir and a great many "first" accomplishments as well. An enjoyable read about an individual that refused to lay down and stop moving forward when faced with racism. Also, you can't help but think he was always in the right place at the right time making the right connections and associates with so many different people.

[Martha Greenough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring - and great education in how to be an effective leader.

[University of Chicago Magazine]

Clifton R. Wharton, AM'56, PhD'58
Author

From our pages (Winter/16): "In 1958 Clifton R. Wharton became the first African American to receive a PhD in economics from the University of Chicago. His memoir details a trailblazing life—as the first black president of a major US university and the first black CEO of a Fortune 500 company, and as deputy secretary of state under president Bill Clinton—as well as the obstacles he faced along the way, including negative stereotypes and low expectations."