Charles White's commitment to African American history and culture was consistently reflected in his record sleeve and book jacket illustrations. Typical in this regard was his cover and frontispiece illustration for A Layman's Guide to Negro History, Compiled and Edited Erwin A. Salk. The publication used on its cover a reproduction of General Moses: A study of 19th Century Heroine Harriet Tubman, by Charles White, from the Golden State Mutual Negro Art Collection, Los Angeles, California.

The book was "The first comprehensive bibliography of books and teaching aids, plus listings of major events and personalities in the United States". The above, from the cover of A Layman's Guide to Negro History, was embellished by an endorsement from no less a figure than the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, "An outstanding compilation ... few contributions will be so significant to teachers, students, pastors and movement leaders." The book was published in 1966 by Quadrangle Books, Chicago.

[Incidentally, a feature by Francine R. Carter, "The Golden State Mutual Afro-American Art Collection" appeared in Black Art: an international quarterly, Volume 1, Number 2 (Winter 1976). The Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company African-American Art Collection was auctioned by Swann Galleries, New York City - Sale 2122 - on 4 October, 2007. The cover of the auction catalogue featured  General Moses: A study of 19th Century Heroine Harriet Tubman, by Charles White.]