He’s a living legend, and civil rights pioneer. Former Atlanta mayor and United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young made his way to Fort Valley State University Monday afternoon.

He’s helping to raise scholarship money for students there.

Fort Valley State University rolled out the red carpet for Ambassador Andrew Young, the speaker for FVSU’s 26th Annual Black History Scholarship Luncheon.

To see and hear a living civil rights icon was more than inspiring e for students.

"It means the world. I am very honored and very privileged, says Chelsea Murray who currently serves as Miss Fort Valley State University. "I think it's a ray of hope. A lot of times people come from communities and neighborhoods afforded the opportunity to be in the presents of such leaders."

"To have a distinguished, significant history maker like Ambassador Andrew Young is tremendous for fort valley state university, says Congressman Sanford Bishop the host of the luncheon and the man responsible for inviting Young to speak. “The Fort Valley State University does so much to develop young people," he adds.

Ambassador Young wants those listening to be the change they hope to see in Central Georgia. “To share in the black history month program both in Columbus and here at the Fort Valley State University, he says. He speaks on the civic responsibility to help educate generations to come.
"My grandmother always said for them to whom much has been given of them is much required."

Local leaders and FVSU alumni make contributions to the education of present and future scholarship recipients.

"This annual black history celebration, the proceeds of which goes to scholarships," adds Bishop.

State budget cuts are looming, here's what young had to say. "You can't cut education, if you cut education you end up spending more money on prisons."

Miss fort valley state says programs like these encourage students to try just a little bit harder. "So to be in an area of black academia, with people who are successful, who have given and participated means a lot to me," says Chelsea Murray.


"Martin Luther King said either we will learn to live together as brothers and sisters or we will perish together as fools, and I think we will learn to live together as brothers and sisters. Even Democrats and Republicans," says young.
Young wasn't the first African American Congressman from Georgia, he was the second, following Jefferson Long almost 100 years later.