By Lashley John
A mural of Andrew Young was unveiled on May 2, 2023 at a small, private dedication ceremony on the Atlanta Beltline near 725 Rice Street NW.
Ambassador Andrew Young was taken to the surprise unveiling of the mural, painted on the beltway by artist Petie Parker.
His wife Carolyn Young was involved in the project but kept it a secret from her husband.
Fulton County Arts and Culture gave a grant for the project.
At the unveiling were Victor Walker; Mr. Clyde Hanks, from the Atlanta Beltline; the B-Aware Foundation, Global Paint and B.A.M Creative.
The location for the mural was recommended by the Beltline.
At the unveiling, former Mayor Bill Campbell said that the mural represented Ambassador Young’s ongoing commitment to history. He also reminded the audience that this was one of the few occasions when all the past mayors of the city were present to support an event. He also underlined the significance of appreciating Mayor Franklin’s foresight in championing the belt line concept and the significance it would ultimately have for the neighborhood. This initiative was led by her, and she was first to fund that project for people who utilize the Beltline. The artwork would make it a memorable destination.
Rapper Killer Mike says, when he got the call to attend the unveiling, he abandoned his Florida holiday and came right back to Atlanta, as the Ambassador was an important role model in his personal journey.
His wife, Carolyn Young, said that they had worked for two years on this project… keeping it quiet. She visited the project two weeks ago, and there were about eighteen students of many different nationalities working on the project.
In his “thank you” remarks, Ambassador Young said, “Mayor Hartsfield’s idea of opening the airport had a huge impact on what the city of Atlanta could be and the direction that it could take.”
He said that he will be flying to Spain in the next few days, where he will receive a human rights award and he will be representing Atlanta. He reminded the audience that the purpose of the Civil Rights movement was not about the marches; it was about getting access to schools, the arts, hospitals employment, etc.
World Jurist Association (WJA) Presents the World Peace and Liberty Award to Ambassador Andrew Young
On May 8, 2023, the World Jurist Association (WJA) presented the World Peace and Liberty Award to U. S. Civil Rights Icon Ambassador Andrew Young. The award is the highest award given by the World Jurist Association (WJA) and recognizes Young’s work for “social, political and economic progress for oppressed people around the world.” It is a recognition that, as explained by the association, seeks to highlight Young’s international work in favor of “social, political and economic progress of the oppressed around the world.”
The award was presented by H.M. Felipe VI, King of Spain, on May 8, 2023, in Madrid during the presentation of the World Law Congress New York 2023 and the inauguration of the Rule of Law Digital Center.
At the event, the WJA also presented the Ruth Bader Ginsburg 2023 Medals of Honor to outstanding women jurists, Navi Plllay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2008 – 2014), and Lady Brenda Hale, first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
Aside from Andrew Young’s many works as a Civil Rights activist, U. S. Representative for the state of Georgia, Mayor for the city of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (South African anti-apartheid activist and president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999) and the U.S. Congress created the Southern African Enterprise Development Fund (SAEDF), chaired by Andrew Young, which provides funding to stimulate the creation and expansion of indigenous small- and medium-sized enterprises throughout southern Africa.
In 2003, Young created the Andrew Young Foundation to support and promote education, health, leadership and human rights in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.
“I’m ready to keep on keeping on,” said Ambassador Young.
The ceremony in Spain was live-streamed on YouTube and the recording is now online. You can view it on YouTube using this link:
Last updated on May 9, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment.