December 28, 2023, New York – The Center for Constitutional Rights mourns the passing of our beloved former colleague, Alberto "Jefe" White, who passed away on December 27 at the age of 89. Alberto’s love and care as our longtime office manager made him the heart and soul of our Center for Constitutional Rights family for decades. He touched everyone's life who came into our office, greeting us with a smile and, often, a nickname, making class after class of interns, fellows, new staff, and visitors all feel welcome. When a coworker with a brief due had to spend the night on the kitchen couch, he would wake her with a cup of his coffee and a bagel from the deli across the street. He gave gifts to the office children, left treats for us on our desks, and shared his music and stories and warmth.

Alberto was a musician, a talented jazz trumpeter who sometimes played at our events, accompanied by Annette Dickerson’s vocals and Vince Warren on drums – our own amazing trio. A few of us were lucky enough to see Alberto perform at Carnegie Hall one snowy December night! He was also a percussionist and had toured with a group in Panama, where he was originally from, playing bongos when he was young. 

Alberto was working with the National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee when it merged with the Center for Constitutional Rights in 1998, and he stayed with us until he retired in 2018. He made the Center for Constitutional Rights and our home at 666 Broadway a much better place, and he lives on in our hearts.