Atlantans celebrate Andrew Young’s 94th birthday

Although it was 13 days after his actual 94^th birthday, Andrew Young was feted in style on March 25^th.

Dozens of dignitaries gathered at the Retreat by the Gathering at the Interlock to pay their respects to former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, who has a long line of claims to fame:

Civil rights leader who worked side-by-side Martin Luther King Jr. Congressman. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Preacher. Philanthropist. Spiritual advisor. Political observer.

The invitation-only party – hosted by the Atlanta Beltline – included civic leaders, preachers, elected leaders and government officials (city, county, state), family members and friends. Beltline CEO Clyde Higgs told the crowd it was the fourth consecutive birthday celebration his organization has thrown for Young.

Before the speeches began, Young motioned for me to come over. He wanted to tell me about a birthday lunch held earlier in the day at the Capital City Club in Brookhaven to celebrate three March birthdays – his, former Gov. Roy Barnes and Gwinnett leader Wayne Mason.

Seven gentlemen had gathered for lunch as friends to talk about Atlanta and Georgia past and present. The conversation then turned to the current gubernatorial election.

Every person present, including Young, felt the best person to become Georgia’s next governor was Michael Thurmond, former CEO of DeKalb County. They had reached the same conclusion independently of each other.

Young said it might have been the most important lunch he has had in 10 years, and he wanted me to share its significance with readers of SaportaReport.

As he was talking to me, I let him know former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, considered to be the Democratic frontrunner for governor, was right behind him. Young continued to praise Thurmond, for his leadership and knowledge of Georgia. In fact, Thurmond has written three books on Georgia history.

Keith Mason (Wayne Mason’s son who has navigated between politics and business for decades) documented the lunch, at Young’s request. He confirmed the conversation in a telephone interview Wednesday evening, sharing photos and videos he had taken during the lunch at the Capital City Club. Paul Rosser, a close friend of Young, hosted the lunch.

Later in the day, I watched the former Atlanta mayor in action. I was most impressed that at 94, Young is still hard at work – making his mark on Atlanta, Georgia and the world.

I was not the only person who took notice.

The afternoon celebration at the Interlock began with the quickest opening prayer ever – courtesy of Anthony A.W. Motley, pastor of Lindsay Street Baptist Church.

Then Higgs, “in the spirit of getting things done,” said the Beltline would have more than 16 miles of the trail completed before the World Cup.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was out of town on an international trip. So, Courtney English, the mayor’s chief of staff, spoke in his behalf.

“I grew up knocking things over in Andy Young’s house,” English said, comparing the former mayor’s home to a museum. “Mayor Young is still doing the work.”

Demetrius Myatt acted as emcee, trying to recognize the dignitaries who had come to celebrate Young’s birthday. They included Azira Hill, who is 102; and developer Blaine Kelley, who is 97. University presidents – Valerie Montgomery Rice from the Morehouse College of Medicine; George French from Clark Atlanta University; and Georgia State University’s Brian Blake were present.

Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts spoke. As did Bottoms, who talked about when she had worked during the Joe Biden administration in the East Wing “when there was an East Wing.”

Marci Collier Overstreet, president of the Atlanta City Council, looked over the folks in the indoor-outdoor, rooftop venue and spoke of “the royalty in this room.”

Mayor Young’s eldest daughter – Andrea Young (executive director of ACLU-Georgia) – said we all have an obligation to fulfill the goals of the civil rights movement and her father’s work. “Affirmative action is our business plan,” she said.

Billye Aaron, the widow of baseball legend Hank Aaron, spoke of spending time with Young (and his close friends) in the Bahamas on his actual 94^th birthday.

Then it was Young’s turn to speak. He spoke of how he and those present had been blessed far beyond what that deserved.

“I’ve come to believe that none of those blessings were accidents,” Young said. He called the late Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first Black mayor who was elected in 1973, an excellent leader who set the stage for the city.

Then Young shared a disturbing downbeat message, which is unusual for Young, who always tries to be optimistic and see the best in people.

“This nation is in trouble like it’s never been in my 94 years,” said Young, who remembered other difficult times in his life. “We’ve got a long way to go.”

And then he asked everyone to do him a favor – to pray.

“Tonight, get down on your knees and count your blessings,” Young said.

Before he gave up the microphone, Young spoke of being married to his first wife – the late Jean Childs Young – for 40 years; and to Carolyn Young for 30 years. “I’ve been married for 70 years. They were both schoolteachers,” he said. “That means I’m well trained.”

Carolyn Young then got the last word.

“He is the hot sauce on my gumbo,” she said. “He’s the butter on my bread. And he is the yeast in my biscuit that makes it rise.”

Photos from the celebration at the Retreat by the Gathering at the Interlock: