Paul Young (American politician)

Young was born on October 7, 1979, to Dr. William Young, a Vietnam War veteran, and Rev. Diane Young. He grew up in the Oakhaven neighborhood of Memphis. His father became the chaplain of Methodist Hospital when Paul was two years of age, the first African-American to do so.{{Cite web |last=Waters |first=David |date=2024-01-03 |title=Meet Paul Young: How a preachers' kid became the new mayor of Memphis |url=https://www.psrmemphis.org/meet-paul-young-how-a-preachers-kid-became-the-new-mayor-of-memphis/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Institute for Public Service Reporting - Memphis |language=en-US}} William Young also founded a church in Bolivar, Tennessee, when Paul was seven. Diane and William founded the Healing Center Full Gospel Baptist Church in Oakhaven when Paul was 11. Paul's parents were surrogate parents for many children while Paul was growing up. Paul attended East High School in Memphis. He earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He decided to pursue a master's degree in city and regional planning after hearing a sermon from his mother. He also has a degree in business administration.

Young was president and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission, during COVID-19. As CEO of the DMC, he stated the need for a grocery store in the downtown area,{{Cite web |last=Anthony |first=Kontji |date=2021-03-19 |title=Paul Young named president and CEO of Downtown Memphis Commission |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2021/03/19/paul-young-named-president-ceo-downtown-memphis-commission/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=www.actionnews5.com |language=en}} and one year later the opening of the South Point grocery store was announced.{{Cite web |last=Chandler |first=Jennifer |date=March 4, 2022 |title=South Point Grocery opens: What to expect at the new Downtown Memphis grocery store |work=The Commercial Appeal |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/03/04/downtown-memphis-south-point-grocery-hours-location-south-main-arts-district/9336251002/ }}

Young's 2023 mayoral campaign focused on strengthening the Memphis economy and creating more jobs. His platform included proposals for technology and development.{{Cite web |last=Scott |first=Chadd |title=New Mayor Paul Young Putting Arts And Culture To Work For Memphis |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chaddscott/2024/04/30/new-mayor-paul-young-putting-arts-and-culture-to-work-for-memphis/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Young's platform addressed systemic issues such as poverty and crime, with a focus on neighborhood safety and expanding opportunities.{{Cite web |last=Steimer |first=Jacob |date=2023-09-20 |title=Paul Young: 'We have to build up this additional support for public safety' |url=https://mlk50.com/2023/09/20/paul-young-we-have-to-build-up-this-additional-support-for-public-safety/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=MLK50: Justice Through Journalism |language=en-US}}

Young's campaign used a multi-step strategy to engage voters. The campaign worked with VoteShift, a firm specializing in strategies for candidates focused on racial equity.{{Cite web |title=VoteShift - Building Winning Movements |url=https://voteshift.com/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=VoteShift |language=en-US}} Content was shared across various platforms, including YouTube and story ads.{{Cite web |last=Bornong |first=Amy |date=2024-01-23 |title=An Adtech Strategy For Political Victory in Memphis |url=https://equativ.com/blog/case-study/adtech-strategy-for-political-victory-in-memphis/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Equativ |language=en-US}} In a Reddit AMA on October 3, 2023, Young engaged with Memphians and answered questions about the future of Memphis.{{Cite web |last=PaulYoungMemphis |date=2023-10-03 |title=I'm Paul Young, candidate for Mayor of Memphis. AMA! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/memphis/comments/16yyhbl/im_paul_young_candidate_for_mayor_of_memphis_ama/?sort=qa&rdt=64364 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=r/memphis}} During the AMA, Reddit users asked for his views on Memphis's current state, particularly from his perspective as a resident.  

In the 2023 Memphis mayoral election, Paul Young received 24,408 votes from 98 precincts, 4,500 more than his nearest competitor, Floyd Bonner Jr.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Paul Young wins the Memphis mayoral race |url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/live-voting-results-memphis-mayor-election/522-5d590c34-831a-467c-bb48-ae130abad726 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=localmemphis.com |language=en-US}} The second closest competitor was Willie Herenton, a former Memphis mayor. The vote was split among 17 candidates on the ballot. This was the first election since 1971 where an incumbent was not seeking re-election. A total of 88,699 votes were cast, representing 23.8% of registered voters.{{Cite web |title=Turnout {{!}} Shelby County Election Commission, TN |url=https://www.electionsshelbytn.gov/turnout |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=www.electionsshelbytn.gov}}

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Young was elected mayor of Memphis in the 2023 Memphis mayoral election.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Paul Young declares victory, becoming next mayor of Memphis |url=https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/paul-young-declares-victory-becoming-next-mayor-of-memphis/article_86c6642e-63e0-11ee-9c72-5b8698bdc782.html |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=FOX13 Memphis |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2023 |title=Meet Paul Young, Memphis's next mayor |url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/memphis-next-mayor-paul-young/522-55436a6e-c0f9-4bab-b494-5a544847138f |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=localmemphis.com |language=en-US}} He was sworn in on January 1, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Jackson |title=Paul Young sworn in as Memphis' next Mayor|url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/paul-young-sworn-in-memphis-mayor/522-6d33d25b-617d-45fb-97eb-fdc734f0bbb1 |work=ABC24 |date=January 1, 2024}}

During his mayoral bid, Paul Young promised a "pandemic like response" to crime, which he described as engaging multiple stakeholders such as police, the district attorney, judges, and community organizers. Since his election, Young has focused on public safety through initiatives such as Operation Code Zero.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Imani |date=2024-02-27 |title=Operation Code Zero: Mayor Young speaks on new operation to fight crime |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/02/27/operation-code-zero-mayor-young-speaks-new-operation-fight-crime/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=www.actionnews5.com |language=en}} Operation Code Zero was introduced to reduce crime by increasing police presence in high-crime and high-traffic tourist areas. Young is also overseeing the installation of $10–15 million worth of AI-powered cameras across Memphis to address concerns over crime and shootings.{{Cite web |last1=Peterson |first1=Joyce |last2=Coombs |first2=Lydian |date=2024-10-23 |title=Crime crackdown: Memphis mayor working with MPD to blanket city with AI-powered camera network |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/10/23/crime-crackdown-memphis-mayor-working-with-mpd-blanket-city-with-ai-powered-camera-network/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=www.actionnews5.com |language=en}}

Young replaced the entire MATA (Memphis Area Transit Authority) board.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-11 |title=Memphis Mayor Paul Young replaces MATA board |url=https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/memphis-mayor-paul-young-replaces-mata-board/article_7b12e312-8821-11ef-b0ad-e71d1a762ae0.html |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=FOX13 Memphis |language=en}} This followed a period of significant financial deficits in the system. Public approval of MATA declined from 75% in 2018 to 38% in more recent years.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title=New MATA board suspends cuts, fare implementation until February |url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/new-mata-board-members-suspends-cuts-fare-implementation/522-51a29818-14e5-4107-9cd4-680c9d54efab |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=localmemphis.com |language=en-US}} A large portion of buses required engine repairs. Young ordered a forensic audit of MATA's finances to identify inefficiencies and areas of unnecessary spending.

Young implemented several tax increases aimed at improving city services and infrastructure, including a 49-cent property tax hike, a $30 increase in vehicle registrations, and a $12 increase on solid waste fees.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=Memphis Mayor Paul Young's first six months in office {{!}} What do Memphians think of his progress? |url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/politics/memphis-mayor-paul-young-first-six-months-office-progress-tax/522-04bfb3c2-077a-43b4-9d9d-2165f3572fe2 |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=localmemphis.com |language=en-US}} The administration created public dashboards, including one from the Memphis Police Department, that tracks data points like homicide rates.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Imani |date=2024-06-10 |title=New data dashboard gives deeper look at crime trends in the city |url=https://www.actionnews5.com/2024/06/10/new-data-dashboard-gives-deeper-look-crime-trends-city/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=www.actionnews5.com |language=en}} The administration aims to create a system that addresses the current needs of the city while preparing for future growth.

Young's administration supported financial incentives to encourage investment in affordable housing. Young has also committed to increasing funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.{{Cite web |last=Journalism” |first=Jacob Steimer, MLK50: Justice Through |date=2024-06-12 |title=Memphis needs affordable housing. But it's gotten harder to build • Tennessee Lookout |url=https://tennesseelookout.com/2024/06/12/memphis-needs-affordable-housing-but-its-gotten-harder-to-build/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=Tennessee Lookout |language=en-US}}

Additionally, Young's transition team recommended establishing a small business support network to help accelerate the growth of businesses.{{Cite web |author=A. O. L. Staff |date=2024-03-07 |title=Mayor Paul Young's transition team outlines crime prevention, economic development ideas |url=https://www.aol.com/mayor-paul-youngs-transition-team-110348708.html |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=www.aol.com |language=en-US}} In August 2024, Paul Young and police Chief C.J. Davis announced $3 million to compensate businesses recovering from crime.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=City sets aside $3M to help small businesses recover from crime |url=https://wreg.com/news/city-sets-aside-3m-to-help-small-businesses-recover-from-crime/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=WREG.com |language=en-US}} 

Paul is married to Jamila Smith-Paul. Jamila is a nurse practitioner and assistant professor at University of Tennessee Health Science Center.{{Cite web |last=Roman |first=Leigh Ann |date=2024-01-29 |title=Memphis' First Lady, UT Health Science Center Nursing Alumna Encourages: "See the Good in Our City" |url=https://news.uthsc.edu/memphis-first-lady-ut-health-science-center-nursing-alumna-encourages-see-the-good-in-our-city/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=UTHSC News |language=en-US}} Paul and Jamila have two children, aged 12 and eight. Paul has two siblings, Dorcas Young Griffin, an older sister, and Rev. David Young. Dorcas is the Shelby County Government Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. Rev. David Young is a pastor. Paul has two half siblings. His half-brother William Jr. has struggled with homelessness, despite his family's efforts. Paul's father William died of congestive heart failure at the age of 77 on October 5, 2022, five days after Paul launched his mayoral campaign.

Young is a fan of hip-hop. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi.

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Category:1979 births

Category:21st-century African-American politicians

Category:21st-century mayors of places in Tennessee

Category:African-American mayors in Tennessee

Category:African-American people in Tennessee politics

Category:Living people

Category:Mayors of Memphis, Tennessee

Category:Politicians from Memphis, Tennessee

Category:Tennessee Democrats

Category:University of Memphis alumni

Category:University of Tennessee alumni

Category:East High School (Memphis, Tennessee) alumni