Andrew Young

Obama Presidential Center Honoree

Headshot of Andrew Young

Space Name: Andrew Young Program Room | Forum | Lower Level | Democracy in Action Lab

Andrew Young, a minister and close collaborator of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., led grassroots initiatives for voter registration and nonviolent organizing. He played a key role in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Civil Rights Movement. Young later served as a member of Congress, mayor of Atlanta, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. His lifelong commitment to justice and diplomacy helped shape modern American democracy and linked activism to global engagement.

With gratitude to Michael and Nelly Bly Arougheti

“ Andrew Young has shown generations that lasting progress begins with dialogue, service, and a commitment to bringing people together. This room is designed to carry that spirit forward by giving community groups and emerging leaders a place to collaborate, learn from one another, and turn ideas into meaningful action. We are thrilled to help create a space that honors Ambassador Young’s remarkable legacy and inspires the next generation to lead with empathy, purpose, and respect for the communities they serve.”

–Michael and Nelly Bly Arougheti

Legacy on Campus

  • Democracy in Action Lab

    The Democracy in Action Lab is a home for innovation and intellectual curiosity for emerging leaders and global changemakers making. Explore this space in the Forum, which encourages the next generation to pursue their own paths to excellence. 

  • Art on Campus

    Explore 28 commissioned public art installations across the Center, including Bending the Arc. Martin Puryear's monumental sculpture is inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. 

Make a gift in honor of your heroes

Your honorary gift will help us inspire, empower, and connect leaders from around the world to take on the biggest challenges of our time.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

John Lewis

Meet More Honorees

Through the honoree naming initiative at the Obama Presidential Center, we are partnering with our donors to celebrate a part of the history in which the Obama story is so deeply rooted by associating a named space with a hero, moment, or person "on whose shoulders we stand"—an honoree who made the Obamas’ story possible.

Meet More Honorees