Rep. Charles L. Young, Sr. President

     Rep. Charles L. Young, Sr. was born August 27, 1931, in Meridian, Miss. to Velma and E. F. Young, Jr. He attended grade school in Meridian at Wechsler Elementary and graduated from T.J. Harris High School in 1947. He started his post secondary education at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, subsequently transferring to Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee where he earned a B. S. degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting.  His education was further advanced at the University of Denver, where he received specialist training in Public Relations.

    Upon completing school, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. While serving his country in the Korean conflict, he earned the Bronze Star and other Medals of honor for his achievements.. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he returned home to assist in the family business.

    What he discovered at home was a different type of conflict in full swing – the Civil Rights Movement.  His response was to become heavily involved in the movement during the late 1950s and continue that involvement well into the 1960s. Because of his actions and those of others, Charles Young, Sr. was the first African American to join the local Chamber Of Commerce and was able to break many other barriers of racial segregation in the community.

    In 1961 Mr. Young married Doretha D. Connors, a former officer in the U.S. Army. Their union produced four children: Charles, Jr., Deidre, Arthur and Veldore. While Charles Young, Sr. worked at the family business and other interests, Mrs. Young taught school. She was a teacher in Port Arthur, Texas and Meridian for over 25 years. Mrs. Young also involved herself in social and civic affairs. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Negro Business and Professional Women's Society, St. John's Baptist Church, several National Mathematics Society charter organizations and a host of other local, state and national civic, professional and social organizations.  Doretha C. Young died in August 1987.

    Mr. Young's political efforts led to his appointment by Gov. Cliff Finch to serve on the first Board of Corrections in the State of Mississippi in 1976. He was elected to the Mississippi State House of Representatives for District 82 in 1980 and has been re-elected every term since. He is past chairman of the Municipalities and the Ways and Means committees and currently chairs the Universities and Colleges committee. He also serves as a member and past president of the Miss. Legislative Black Caucus. Rep. Young has served as a member of the National Democratic Party for over 35 years, becoming the first African American to address the National Democratic Party Convention during the 1960's. He is the founder of Headstart in Mississippi and Mississippi Action for Progress. He was one of the first African American entrepreneurs to participate in the Broadcast Communications industry. He has received numerous community, state, and national awards for his excellence and for his outstanding service in business and politics. He is repeatedly recognized as one of Mississippi's and the South's most outstanding businessmen. In addition to E. F. Young, Jr. Mfg. Co., Rep. Young is the founder of several other businesses, several of which he continues to operate. Others are now owned and/or managed by family members. These enterprises include:

Charles L. Young Management Company
Charles L. Young Real Estate Company
Young Construction Company
Your Beauty Supply

     Rep. Young is a member of the Newel Chapel C.M.E. Church where he has been a Trustee and member of the Stewart Board for more than 40 years. Each Sunday, he gets special satisfaction from transporting 15 children by van to Newell Chapel for church services. His involvement with youth includes sponsoring a tennis camp for about 100 children each year.  Mr. Young's many affiliations include membership in Kappa Alpha Psi, the Prince Hall Mason's and the Elk's Lodge. He is also a life member of the NAACP.