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

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 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 10^th 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 open at 6 p.m. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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

Tags: College of Arts and Letters