Kresge Library

2006 Keeper of the Dream Awards Banquet

Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Jackson Young will be the keynote speaker and presenter for the 2006 Keeper of the Dream Awards Banquet March 8th at 6:00pm. Ambassador Young has exhibited a lifelong dedication to human rights. He became active in the Civil Rights Movement--especially in voter registration drives. His work brought him in contact with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Young joined with King in leading the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Following King's assassination in 1968, Young worked with Ralph Abernathy until he resigned from the SCLC in 1970.

Young was elected to Congress 1972 and reelected in 1974 and 1976. In the House, he opposed cuts in funds for social programs. To quote Mr. Young: "Dr. King always said that America cannot continue to exist with so many people isolated on lonely islands of poverty in the midst of this ocean of material wealth...[m]ost of the problems that we're facing in America derive from those islands of poverty, and we tend to treat the symptoms but not wipe out the poverty."

In 1977, under President Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young was made the United States ' ambassador to the United Nations. He helped restore trust in the United States among Third World nations, especially in Africa. During his time at the U.N. (1977-1979), he was considered controversial and outspoken.

In 1981 Young was elected mayor of Atlanta , and he was reelected to that post in 1985, serving through 1989. In 1999 he was elected to a two-year term as head of the National Council of Churches.

The Keeper of the Dream Banquet honors "Dr. King’s dream of brotherhood, harmony and equality for all people" and raises funds for the scholarships. The "Keeper of the Dream Award" recognizes OU students who have contributed to interracial understanding and goodwill while demonstrating academic achievement, a clear career focus and academic persistence. Nominees must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, demonstrate campus involvement, have a record of responsible citizenship and be enrolled for the following academic year.

The banquet will be held in the Shotwell-Gustafson Pavilion at Meadowbrook and is hosted by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives. For ticket information, call (248) 370-4404.


Relevant Full-Text Articles:

  • Hornsby, A., Jr. (1992). Andrew Jackson Young: mayor of Atlanta, 1982-1990 The Journal of Negro History 77(3), pp. 159-182.
  • Lowenstein, A. (1979). The United Nations and the human rights issue Law and Contemporary Problems 43(2), pp. 268-274.
  • Miller, J. C. (1981). Black Viewpoints on the Mid-East Conflict Journal of Palestine Studies 10(2), Special Issue: American Blacks on Palestine, pp. 37-49.

Interviews with Ambassador Young:

  • (2000) 4 little girls [videorecording] / an HBO documentary film in association with 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks production ; a Spike Lee Joint ; director, producer, Spike Lee.
  • (2005). New Perspectives Quarterly 22(4), p. 43-5. The U.S. has gone global but neglected its core.
  • (1995). The Christian Century 112, p. 638-41. Global vision: an interview with Andrew Young.

Books at Kresge Library authored by or including information about Ambassador Young:

  • Columbus, S. The Black 100: a ranking of the most influential African-Americans, past and present
  • Cosby, C. O. & Poussaint, R., Eds. A wealth of wisdom: legendary African American elders speak
  • Cuomo, A. M., Ed. Crossroads: the future of American politics
  • Leeman, R. W., Ed. African-American orators: a bio-critical sourcebook
  • United States Congress Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Africa Affairs. Ambassador Young's African trip
  • Young, A. J. U.S. policy on Lebanon

Created on 12/12/06 by 11/21/02 by Robert Slater / Last updated on 5/1/19 by Robert Slater
Oakland University

Oakland University, Kresge Library
2200 N Squirrel Rd., Rochester, MI 48309
(248) 370 - 4426