On this day in 1979, Paul Andrew Young was born in the Bluff City, raised in the Oakhaven neighborhood by pastors Bishop William Young and his wife Dianne.
Paul Young did not grow up with political aspirations and instead was intent on becoming an engineer, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2002.
However, after returning to his hometown, Young would find his calling to better his city after receiving a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Memphis, whom he praises by saying:
“l think we don’t realize how important it is to have a university that uses the city for a lab. The University provides so much intellectual backbone to all kinds of initiatives and programs. It’s our talent pipeline and will play a significant part in ensuring the future of our city.”
Paul Young would go on to be elected Memphis’ 65th Mayor in 2023, assuming the role the following year after being sworn into office.
Young is married to Dr. Jamila Smith-Young and is a father of two children, Zoe and Paxton.
