Atlanta Beltline mural honors Ambassador Andrew Young

During a small ceremony on the Atlanta Beltline, a new mural of former Ambassador Andrew Young was unveiled. The mural serves as a reminder of the rich history Young has in Atlanta and the love the community holds for him.

A former top aide to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a three term Congressman, Young now 91, also was appointed as U.N. ambassador by former President Jimmy Carter. Young held that post from 1977 to 1979. Later, he served two terms as Atlanta’s mayor and was co-chairman of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

Said Young on this honor,” Thanks to Atlanta and especially my wife Carolyn for the wonderful surprise of a mural in my honor on the fabulous Atlanta Beltline.  It is located in an underpass near 725 Rice Street NW and is a wonderful piece of public art that I treasure and hope will inspire young people who pass it in the future to wonder who the heck that guy was and look him up on the internet sometime. Atlanta is the most wonderful city in the world.”

Young’s mural features the Earth Day messaging of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” in high traffic areas on the Beltline near Rice Street. According to Fulton County, Young is featured because he “has been a long-term advocate for sustainability and environmental justice.

 “We are honored to celebrate Ambassador Young’s commitment to the city of Atlanta and his legacy of impact,” said Beltline President and CEO Clyde Higgs. “It is our privilege to provide a space on the Atlanta Beltline for powerful messages and artwork like we see with this mural.” 

The recipient of numerous awards and honors in Atlanta, Young has two statues dedicated to him as well as a street named after him, Andrew Young International Boulevard NW. 

Young was also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA is also named in honor of him and brother Walter. At Georgia State, the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University and the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership also bear his name.