Paul A. Young was sworn in as mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, on January 1, 2024, with a commitment to creating a stronger, safer, and thriving community for all Memphians. Young is a Memphian, father of two, husband to Dr. Jamila Smith-Young, and son of Pastor Dianne Young and the late Bishop William Young of the Memphis Healing Center. Growing up in the Oakhaven neighborhood, Young learned at an early age that there were two sides to Memphis—one ripe with opportunity and prosperity and another lacking resources and safe neighborhoods. Determined to bridge this divide, Young pursued a career focused on building a Memphis that works for every resident.
Young earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from UT, followed by a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis.
Throughout the past decade, Young has been a dedicated champion for a better Memphis, spearheading efforts to strengthen housing security and cultivate vibrant neighborhoods where families can flourish. This commitment seeks to produce a demonstrably improved quality of life for the city’s residents.
As the president of the Downtown Memphis Commission and the former Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development, Young applied a holistic approach to unifying the city through public and private partnerships and targeted investments for the future.
Firm in his belief that progress hinges on strategic investments, Young champions a vision for propelling Memphis forward through investments in public safety, infrastructure, and the potential of the city’s greatest asset—its people.
