Dr. Walter Young, a key figure in the civil rights movement, is a pillar of strength and advocacy within the YMCA and the broader Atlanta community. His unwavering commitment to equality, social justice, and community empowerment has shaped the YMCA's mission and left an indelible mark on countless lives. The Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA, named in honor of Dr. Walter Young and his brother Andrew, stands as a testament to their legacy, and we are honored to welcome Dr. Young to (Y) Connect.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:03] Dr. Young describes the inspiration he received as a five-year-old child

• [8:11] Dr. Young reflects on his time in New Orleans after his discharge from the Navy, meeting Martin Luther King and why he moved his dental practice to Atlanta

• [14:19] Discussion of Juneteenth and the progress toward civil rights

• [19:44] Providing dental health to the lower class of Atlanta and what the Y means to Dr. Young

• [25:43] Dr. Young discusses what he is most proud of and what advice he has for young people. Robert shares a memory with Dr. Young

• [31:15] Dr. Young reminisces about summer camp when he was young

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Dr. Walter Young has lived a life of service to his community and world

• Dr. Walter Young used to treat dental patients for free when they brought a note from Dr. King, Dr. Abernathy, or his brother, Andrew Young

• The Y has proven to be a formative part of success in the lives of many successful leaders, including Dr. Walter Young

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHY:

Dentist and civil rights activist Dr. Walter Fuller Young was born on August 18, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Daisy Valentine Fuller Young and Andrew Jackson Young, a dentist. Young attended Valeda C. Jones School with his brother Andrew Young. He later attended Gilbert Academy and then went on to attend and graduate from Princeton High School in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1951. Young earned his B.A. degree from Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio. Following in his father’s footsteps, Young studied dentistry at Howard University Dental School. After a stint as a dentist in the US Navy, Young returned to New Orleans, where his father had practiced, established his dental practice and taught at Dillard University. At the same time, Young became an active supporter of the All African Students Association’s lunch counter sit-ins at New Orleans’ downtown Woolworths and other New Orleans businesses from 1961 to 1964. During that same period, Young was introduced to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by his brother, SCLC’s Rev. Andrew Young. Moving to Atlanta in 1978, Young joined his brother and worked to address the issues of dental health maintenance and the establishment of dental programs in schools, churches and organizations in the Atlanta area. Young’s dental practice has been active in the same location for twenty-eight years. As a member of the City of Atlanta Blue Ribbon Committee on Equal Business Opportunity, Young is involved in a number of civic and community programs. He is a consultant to the Osaka American Club of Japan, American Computer Technology in Atlanta, Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, and Grady Healthcare in Atlanta. Possessing a keen interest in African American history, Young is honorary consul general for Liberia and has traveled extensively on the African continent. In 2004, Atlanta’s Southwest YMCA was named for Young and his brother, Andrew. Young is married to event planner Sonjia Young and is a father to five children.