Courtesy: Lucie Foundation Press Release:

John H. White was born March 18, 1945, in Lexington, North Carolina, the son of Rev. Reid Ross White Sr., an African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church minister, and his wife, Mrs. Ruby Mae Leverett White. He bought his first camera at age 13 for 50 cents and 10 Bazooka bubble gum wrappers. John received his first photo assignment from his father. He recalls, "Our church burned down in Kannapolis, N.C., and my father asked me to take pictures of the ruins and the whole reconstruction. Maybe that's why I do picture stories now; because I started that way."
John received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Commercial Art and Advertising Design from Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1966. One week after graduation, he began active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps and quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant, serving as a photographer. As a Marine photographer, he received numerous awards and honors and his work was featured regularly in military publications. For more about John H White and his accomplishments ...