Gus Young (activist) facts for kids

Gustav Young (born September 10, 1909 – died March 19, 1969) was an important civil rights leader in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A civil rights leader is someone who works to make sure all people, especially those who have been treated unfairly, get equal rights and fair treatment.

In 1932, Gus Young was one of only three Black people in East Baton Rouge Parish who were registered to vote. This means he had signed up to be able to choose leaders in elections. He was also a member of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter. The NAACP is a group that works to achieve equal rights for all people. He also served on his city's Bi-Racial Committee, a group with both Black and white members working together. Young was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church and the Freemasons.

Today, Gus Young Avenue in Baton Rouge is named after him. This street was once called Capitol Avenue. He is buried at the Gilbert Cemetery in Baton Rouge.

Gus Young: A Champion for Equality

His Early Life

Gus Young was born on September 10, 1909, in Zachary, Louisiana. He went to schools that were only for Black students, which was common during that time due to segregation. He later earned a high school diploma equivalent from the Humble Oil and Refining Company.

Working for Change

Gus Young played a big part in helping Black people in Baton Rouge sign up to vote. He led the first efforts to register voters in the Black community. In 1938, he started the First Ward Voters League to help with this important work.

He also worked to make living conditions better in Black neighborhoods in Baton Rouge. This included improving things like cleanliness and public health.

Young was one of the main leaders of the 1953 Baton Rouge bus boycott. During this protest, Black people in Baton Rouge refused to ride the city buses. They did this to demand fair treatment and an end to unfair rules on the buses. This boycott was a major event in the fight for civil rights.