​​William A. Young

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William Allen Young is an award-winning actor, director, and humanitarian with a career spanning over 100 film, television, and theater productions, including the Academy Award–nominated film, A Soldier’s Story.  He is widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Frank Mitchell, the beloved father on the hit TV series Moesha –– a role that remains a touchstone in American pop culture.

 

Beyond the screen, Mr. Young is a respected scholar, orator, world traveler, and founder of the nonprofit Young Center for Academic & Cultural Enrichment where he has built one of the nation’s most effective youth development initiatives––the California Youth Think Tank. 

 

When 13 LA Unified School District schools faced the threat of failure, Mr. Young mobilized a diverse coalition of educators, volunteers, and community leaders to deliver tutoring, mentoring, nutrition programs, college preparation, and scholarships—resulting in measurable gains in student engagement and college access.  His advocacy also includes sustained support over the years for youth with disabilities, foster care youth, and survivors of domestic violence.

 

Mr. Young’s impact on our youth, his community, and society has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Ford Foundation Freedom Unsung Award, the NAACP Social Achievement Award, the President’s Icon Award, and his induction into the National Speech & Debate Hall of Fame.  He holds a Master’s degree in Sociolinguistics, a Bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and Debate, and an Associate degree in Communication Studies.  He is a devoted husband and loving father, and an inspirational mentor and role model for the next generation of leaders.