Civil rights icon, former UN ambassador to speak at UT Sept. 29

September 27, 2016 | Events, News, Arts and Letters
By Christine Billau



The first African American to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations will speak at The University of Toledo Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. in Savage Arena.

Young

Young

Andrew Young, a former member of Congress and mayor of Atlanta, worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement to organize desegregation efforts throughout the South, including the 1963 march through Birmingham, Ala. Young was with King in Memphis, Tenn., when King was assassinated in 1968.

“Ambassador Andrew Young’s life of humanitarian service and activism for racial and social justice can inspire all of us to reinvigorate our efforts as individuals and as a University and community to achieve justice, peace and inclusion,” Dr. Jamie Barlowe, dean of the UT College of Arts and Letters, said. “His presence on our campus is both a gift and a call to service, particularly important in today’s world of social and political unrest.”

The free, public event presented by UT’s College of Arts and Letters marks the 10th anniversary of the Edward Shapiro Distinguished Lecture Series that has included such speakers as Toni Morrison, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Elie Wiesel, Oliver Sacks, E.J. Dionne, Michael Sandel, Jon Meacham and Wynton Marsalis. 

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Young served as U.N. ambassador from 1977 to 1979. He is the recipient of the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, France’s Legion of Honor and the NAACP’s Springarn Medal. He founded the Andrew Young Foundation to support and promote education, health, leadership and human rights in the U.S., Africa and the Caribbean.

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