Young, Andrew Jackson, Jr. (1932-…), was the first African American to serve as United States ambassador to the United Nations (UN). He held the post from 1977 to 1979. Young became known for his outspoken comments on world affairs. He strongly supported black majority rule in Africa. Young served as mayor of Atlanta, from 1981 to 1989.
Young was born on March 12, 1932, in New Orleans. He graduated from Howard University and from the Hartford Theological Seminary. In 1955, Young was ordained a minister in what is now the United Church of Christ. He served as pastor of several churches in Alabama and Georgia.
In 1960, Young joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The SCLC was a civil rights organization led by Martin Luther King, Jr. Young became one of King’s chief aides. Young served as executive director of the SCLC from 1964 to 1970. He was jailed in Selma, Alabama, and St. Augustine, Florida, for taking part in civil rights demonstrations.
Young won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972. He was elected as a Democrat from Georgia. He was the first black sent to Congress from the South since 1901. He held the seat until President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the UN. In 1979, Young received the Spingarn Medal for his work in domestic and international affairs. In 1990, he ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for governor of Georgia. In 2000 and 2001, Young served as head of the National Council of Churches.
