Traveling Exhibit Details Life of Diplomat, Civil Rights Icon

Oxford, Mississippi – Unveiling this summer at the J.D. Williams Library at the University of Mississippi is a traveling exhibit entitled “The Many Lives of Andrew Young.” The exhibit showcases the numerous achievements and contributions of Andrew Young, the first African American U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and a top aide for Martin Luther King Jr.

The exhibit will run from June 25 to July 31, allowing visitors to explore the multifaceted life of Andrew Young. A grand opening reception is planned for June 25th at 4 p.m., with an expected appearance by Young and a subsequent book signing. The event is free and open to the public.

A Snapshot of Andrew Young’s Legacy

Created by the National Monuments Foundation, the exhibit weaves a detailed biographical narrative of Young’s life using compelling photographs, memorabilia, and personal accounts based on Ernie Suggs’ book “The Many Lives of Andrew Young.” The book, along with the exhibit, was designed by Donald Bermudez.

Dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College Ethel Scurlock will moderate an opening reception community discussion, joined by both Young and Bermudez.

In his statement, Young expressed his enthusiasm about the event: “I look forward to being there for the official ribbon cutting and sharing in conversations about social justice, the Civil Rights Movement and James Meredith‘s role 60 years ago with Dr. Scurlock. I am eager to share my journey and discuss where we are in bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion to all and the future of our collaborations.”

Walking Through Young’s Life

The exhibit encapsulates ten significant periods in Young’s life: his boyhood, his role as a minister, his civil rights advocacy, his congressional tenure, his U.N. ambassadorship, his leadership as Atlanta’s mayor, his role as presenter of the Centennial Olympic Games, his business career, his philanthropic efforts, and his work as a documentarian.

A Valuable Experience for the Community

Elizabeth Batte, Outreach and Strategic Initiatives Librarian at the university, highlights the value of the exhibit: “With the university’s civil rights history, having such a positive exhibit and something that is so meaningful, especially with Andrew Young himself being able to come and talk about his incredible life, is so wonderful to have on our campus,” she said.

The exhibit was brought to Ole Miss through the generosity of the James Armistead Brown Family Endowment and is third in a series to host the collection. According to Batte, the exhibit aligns seamlessly with the library’s core mission of “celebrating and preserving history.”

She further expressed hopes that the exhibit would inspire younger visitors by reminding them of the recent history of the civil rights struggle and emphasizing that these conversations still hold relevance today.

The public is invited to visit the exhibit any time during the library’s summer hours of operation. For specific details on the schedule, interested parties are encouraged to check the library’s official website.