Leading Through Legacy: Lessons from Ambassador Andrew Young

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Leader Ashley Hooker

Project Description

I conducted an oral history interview with Ambassador Andrew Young, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement and close confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Congressman John Lewis. Ambassador Young reflected on his upbringing in New Orleans, his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, and the leadership lessons that shaped his life. Our conversation explored his earliest memories of John Lewis, the disciplined strategies behind civil rights actions, and his belief that effective leadership demands sacrifice, preparation, and action; a legacy that continues to inspire today’s changemakers.

This project not only highlighted Ambassador Young’s extraordinary contributions, but also offered me a deeper understanding of the connection between strategic leadership and spiritual grounding. His stories and lessons reinforced my commitment to service-driven leadership, thoughtful activism, and preserving the legacies of those who paved the way for equitable progress.