Ambassador Andrew Young has been one of America’s most prominent politicians and civil rights activists for decades. So it’s only fitting that he get a huge birthday celebration for his 80th birthday. The Atlanta-based honoree, once the city’s mayor, will be feted by the Andrew Young Foundation on Sunday, May 20th from 6-9 p.m. at Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency Hotel and the performers include Tyrese, India.Arie, Ray Charles’ daughter Sheila Ray Charles, Nina Simone’s daughter Simone, South African vocalist Tsidii Le Loka.
Even at 80 and with all he’s done already, Young says he still has more that he’d like to accomplish.
“Being 80 really is a time that I have to reassess what I want to do with the rest of my life,” he told Atlanta’s Channel 11 at a luncheon honoring him and Morgan Freeman. “I want to live a meaningful, purposeful life. There is so much that needs to be done in this world.”
Other prominent guests on the guest list include Oprah Winfrey, Atlanta-based producer Dallas Austin and Olympian Edwin Moses. Actress Jasmine Guy will host the evening. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Andrew Young Foundation which, as befits its namesake, provides scholarships, produces documentaries, and promotes leadership, health, human rights and education in the U.S., the Caribbean and Africa.
