From Panama to Pastoral Leadership: Dr. Renaldo White’s Journey of Faith, Culture & Resilience (Ep. 196) - Part 1

In this episode of The Immigrant Experience in America, host Simone W. Johnson-Smith talks with Dr. Reynaldo White—a Panamanian-born pastor, educator and author now living in Alabama. Dr. White recounts his childhood in extreme poverty near the Panama Canal, his family’s move to Miami when his father joined the U.S. Army, and the adjustments he faced learning English and finding his identity in America.

They discuss how his Ph.D. in educational leadership opened doors and how his students encouraged him to write his childhood stories, which evolved into a series of books in English and Spanish. Those books not only preserve immigrant narratives but also fund a school for former child addicts in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. White shares the challenges of pastoring in Alabama’s racially divided culture, the leadership gap he sees in his community, and the joys and trials of raising two adopted sons with severe autism.

Throughout the conversation, he speaks candidly about being labeled “not Latino enough,” the importance of parental involvement and structure, and his enduring love for Panama. The episode concludes with a reminder to join in part 2 and a call to support the podcast’s “human library” of immigrant stories.

Guest Bio

Dr. Reynaldo White is a Panamanian American pastor, educator and author of more than fifteen books. Born near the Panama Canal, he immigrated to Miami as a child when his father joined the U.S. Army. He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and teaches English Language Learners in Alabama. Dr. White uses his bilingual books—starting with Raise: A Transcontinental Tale from Panama to the U.S.—to promote literacy and fund educational initiatives in Kenya. He and his wife, Jennifer, are community leaders, advocates for immigrants and parents of several children, including two adopted sons with autism.

Key Takeaways

• Cultural complexity in Alabama: Serving as a pastor in the South means navigating a social landscape that often reduces people to “black” or “white,” leaving little room for diverse identities. Dr. White sees a need for leadership and community building.

• From stories to books: Encouraged by his students, Dr. White wrote about his childhood in Panama and his journey to the U.S., leading to a series of books in English and Spanish. He also creates children’s books from chapters of his memoirs.

• Books as social impact: Proceeds from his books fund a school in Nairobi, Kenya, for former child addicts; six of its graduates are now in medical school and two in law school.

• Educational leadership: His doctorate enabled him to enter spaces often closed to Afro‑Latinos and informed his work supporting English Language Learners across Alabama.

• Parenting special‑needs children: Raising two adopted sons with severe autism taught Dr. White the value of discipline and consistency. Both sons have exceeded expectations, with one earning significant scholarships and another gaining high test scores in the Marines.

• Identity and pride: Dr. White identifies as both Black and Hispanic; he pushes back against assumptions that he cannot be both and finds pride in his Panamanian heritage.

• Love for Panama: Though he moved for better opportunities, he describes Panama as a beautiful country with a unique mix of cultures, remarkable natural beauty and significant economic inequality.

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The Immigrant Experience in America

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