Former US Ambassador Andrew Young visits Jackson

By Brinda F. Willis, Ph.D.

JA Contributing Writer

Jackson State University, in partnership with the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, served as luncheon hosts for an intimate conversation with Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young, on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

The event was billed as a “Legacy of Organizing & Struggle for Democracy.” It was an enlightening set of stories told by Ambassador Young about his early life through his time as a teenager, college, and on to Washington and his ambassadorship.

Jackson State University (JSU) administrators, student moderators, and Reena Evers-Everett (Executive Director) of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute, along with a small group of dignitaries, were present to welcome Ambassador Young. 

Dr. Ebony Lumumba, Department Chair of English and Modern Languages in the JSU College of Liberal Arts, served as the moderator, introducing Ambassador Young and guiding the luncheon speakers, including Mayor John Horhn, who told the audience how he met and encountered Ambassador Young several years ago when he marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and when Ambassador Young was Atlanta’s mayor. 

Dr. Rico Chapman, JSU Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, introduced additional stage guests, including a special vocal performance by select members of the internationally acclaimed MADDRAMA Theater Group. MADDRAMA sang a medley of Civil Rights songs that included “Glory” and “Let It Shine,” which sparked a sing-along from the audience briefly. 

Reena Evers-Everett told the audience she and her family consider Ambassador Young a family friend and a comrade of Medgar Evers. She also asked the audience to take part in the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Lecture at the Two Mississippi Museums later in the evening.

Dr. Lumumba introduced Denna Nelson (JSU Graduate History Major) and Monica Lopez (Junior History Major) at Millsaps College, who posed questions for Ambassador Young. Such as: What is the role of the Black church, and what did you learn doing Civil Rights work? The Ambassador spoke about several times in his life that led him to hold several different positions he didn’t apply for, but somehow God placed him in the right place and at the right time, among very smart people. 

Ambassador Young recounted, “I graduated high school at age 15 and from that time on I followed my father’s advice – ‘Don’t Get Mad, Get Smart,’ ‘Lead With Your Head and Heart.’ I had to get along with everybody due to the diversity of the people that I grew up with in my New Orleans neighborhood. You see, there was a time in my life when everything had a purpose but me. One time I quit school, and a guy I kinda knew who had been in all sorts of trouble told me he would beat my butt if I didn’t get back in school and stay there. 

“You never know who knows you. I never planned anything; the same God that put crazy ideas in your head will guide you through. You can’t guide yourself; the One who made you will guide you where you need to go. After seminary, I just kept rolling. 

“My hero was Ralph Bunche, a political scientist and diplomat. The difficult things you do almost immediately, but the impossible takes time. When I’m stuck, I stay calm, quiet, and center myself with sky and dirt, nature, and call out to God for help! The One made me created me for a purpose and a life’s work. 

“Then I met Martin Luther King; he told me we need to find a way to take the Civil Rights Movement into politics. Until then, nothing in my life made sense…but God!”

Following his work with Dr. King, Ambassador Young served as a US Congressman, Mayor of Atlanta, and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations

Ambassador Young delivered the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute Lecture at the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium of the Two Mississippi Museums during a September 3rd evening event from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 

For additional event details, visit the Mississippi Department of Archives & History event page.