ATLANTA — Ambassador and civil rights leader Andrew Young is being honored for his impact on Atlanta's Black community and culture.
The former Atlanta mayor received a Crown Jewel of Excellence Tuesday at the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
Young, whose identity is synonymous with all things Atlanta, spoke about his induction.
“For me, it’s a celebration of the city. When I came here and when I was mayor, nothing around you was here,” Young said. “And I feel like I’ve been a part of the growing city.”
At the induction ceremony, Young stood alongside fellow inductees, Award-winning actor Danny Glover and gospel musician Dr. Bobby Jones. Their names are cemented on the Walk of Fame, much like their legacy in Black culture and American history.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recalls watching Young in action when he was growing up in the city. He thanked Young for laying the groundwork and inspiring him to be in leadership.
"When I was 16, I decided by watching him in how he was leading this city, and making it an international city, I said I wanna be just like Andy Young,” Dickens said.
The former mayor, who continues to be a trailblazer at 90 years old, reflects on this honor and the work that’s still left.
“We still got a long way to go," Young said. "But we’ve come a long, long way."
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