The second annual ‘Legends of Atlanta’ gala is set to take place, with a primary objective of raising funds for medical research at National Jewish Health, an organization known for its treatments and studies focused on respiratory and immune-related illnesses.
Last year’s event recognized the contributions of esteemed art collector and curator Fay Gold.
This year, the gala will pay tribute to Ambassador Andrew Young, highlighting his extensive service and profound impact throughout his career.
Dr. Michael Salem, president and CEO of National Jewish Health, expressed the honor of celebrating Young, stating, “It’s a privilege to highlight someone whose leadership and heart have touched every corner of society — from diplomacy to civil rights.”
Young himself reflected on this recognition, calling it “a divine incident.”
As part of pre-gala festivities, Young shared personal anecdotes at a private party, recounting his childhood in 1930s New Orleans, just yards away from the Nazi Party headquarters, showcasing the unique diversity of his upbringing.
Young recounted how his father, Andrew Young Sr., a dentist, had numerous Jewish patients, which fostered important discussions about global events.
His memories include being taken by his father to see newsreels of Jesse Owens during the Berlin Olympics in 1936, where Owens famously disproved Hitler’s Aryan supremacy theory by winning four gold medals.
The event is anticipated to be attended by Atlanta’s living mayors — Bill Campbell, Shirley Franklin, Kasim Reed, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Andre Dickens — who are expected to share a table together.
Co-chaired by Billye Aaron, Paul Hagedorn, and Billy Payne, the gala will showcase Young’s momentous contributions throughout his seven-decade career, which spans from his collaborations with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to his tenure as the first Black U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, along with his impactful role as Atlanta’s mayor and in securing the 1996 Olympic Games for the city.
Former CEO of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Billy Payne, spoke profoundly about Young, saying, “No one, other than my father, has impacted my life more than Andy Young.”
He detailed their decade-long collaboration on the Olympics, emphasizing that the success of the event would not have been possible without Young.
Olmstead highlighted that the gala will feature not only speeches and tributes but also live performances and a tour of a special exhibit titled “The Many Lives of Andrew Young.”
This exhibit is based on a 2022 book that chronicles Young’s life journey, reinforcing his status as an influential figure in Atlanta’s history.
“The story of Ambassador Young is inherently the story of Atlanta,” Olmstead stated, underscoring how Young embodies the city’s resilience and progress.
This gala serves as an occasion to express gratitude for Young’s significant contributions.
Tickets for the event are still available at a price of $500 each, providing an opportunity for attendees to support a worthy cause while celebrating an iconic figure.
In related news, Ernie Suggs, the author of “The Many Lives of Andrew Young,” has been noted for his contributions to sharing Young’s story and experiences.
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