Augusta Technical, Augusta University, and Paine College are proud to announce Ambassador Andrew Young as the keynote speaker for the 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. annual tri-college birthday celebration.

Andrew Young has earned worldwide recognition as a pioneer in and champion of civil and human rights. Ambassador Young’s lifelong dedication to service is illustrated by his extensive leadership experience of over sixty-five years, serving as a member of Congress, African American U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mayor of Atlanta, and ordained minister, among other positions.

During the 1960s, Young was a key strategist and negotiator during
civil rights campaigns that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Appointed as an Ambassador to the United Nations in 1977, Young negotiated an end to white-minority rule in Namibia and Zimbabwe and brought President Carter's emphasis on human rights to international diplomacy efforts.

Ambassador Young also serves on a number of boards, including, but not limited to, the Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, Morehouse College, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State and Americas Mart. In 2003, he and his wife Carolyn McClain Young founded the Andrew J. Young Foundation to support and promote education, health, leadership and human rights in the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean. Young currently serves as the Chairman of the Andrew Young Foundation.

“Augusta Technical College is honored to host this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration with Ambassador Andrew Young as our keynote speaker. His work in civil rights alongside leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his humanitarian efforts around the world have left an indelible mark for us to follow”, said Augusta Technical College president Dr. Jermaine Whirl. “But more importantly, Ambassador Young’s life embodies civility and servant leadership; attributes we all seek to emulate.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to join with our colleagues at Augusta Technical College and Paine College to host Ambassador Young”, stated Augusta University president Dr. Brooks Keel. “As educational institutions, we play a key role in facilitating these moments of community and rededication to a greater purpose of service. Ambassador Young’s lifelong commitment to creating a better future for so many is shared in Augusta University’s mission and is an important extension of Dr. King’s legacy.”