ATLANTA--Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young spoke Feb. 5 to parents, students and teachers at St. John the Evangelist School, Hapeville, on the contributions of African-Americans to society in celebration of Black History Month.

Young was Atlanta’s mayor in the 1980s. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the 1970s. He is currently chairman of GoodWorks International consulting group in Atlanta and president-elect of the National Council of Churches.

School Principal Karen Vogtner thanked Young for speaking and gave him a mug, T-shirt and plaque. Young later presented the plaque to sixth-grader Emily Roberson for the school to keep as a memento of his visit. He also gave the school library a copy of his book, “An Easy Burden.” Emily’s father, Donald Roberson, who was city engineer when Young was mayor, arranged the visit.

After explaining African-American heritage, Young talked about the contributions of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Hank Aaron. To show that many people make significant contributions to their communities without receiving as much public acclaim as these men did, he spoke of the accomplishments of Donald Roberson and the late Ralph Bunche.

In a question and answer session, Young said that his faith helped him get through difficult times when involved in the civil rights movement because he was sure that God was with him and others involved in the cause.

Young also told the students that he began acting like an ambassador in third grade when he tried to keep his classmates from fighting, which is what an ambassador to the United Nations often does.

Young also told the story of a young man who helped him in his campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives and in Atlanta’s mayoral race by distributing bumper stickers. He hoped to show how young people interested in politics become involved.