TALLADEGA — A high-profile politic figure and civil rights activist will soon be sharing his thoughts with the students of Talladega College.

Andrew Young will be the guest speaker at the Talladega College Black History Convocation on Thursday, Feb. 11, at DeForest Chapel at 10 a.m.

“Mr. Young is truly part of Talladega’s history because it was here on this campus where he and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. met,” said Talladega College President Billy Hawkins. “Mr. Young was a pivotal part of the civil rights struggle and his experiences will be invaluable top our students.”

During the Civil Rights Movement Young faced strong opposition while encouraging blacks in Alabama to vote. It was during this time he became an ally of King.

He eventually became one of King’s principal lieutenants and was with King when he was shot in 1968.

Young continuously kept his focus on equality. He had a hand in drafting the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

He organized many peaceful protests while serving as executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Young served as mayor of Atlanta from 1982-1990 and was U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under President Jimmy Carter.

In 1986 he co-chaired the committee that brought the 1996 Summer Olympics to Atlanta.

He continues his activism for human rights and is co-chair of Good Works International.