Young is a graduate of
Howard University.
San Diego City Council He was elected to represent San Diego's fourth council district on January 4, 2005, in a
special election held after the unexpected death of the incumbent council member,
Charles L. Lewis III, in August 2004. Young had been Lewis's chief of staff. Young was easily reelected in the
2006 election and the
2010 election. In December 2010 Young was unanimously elected by the other council members to serve as San Diego City Council President. He immediately promised changes in how the City Council operates, including more openness to the public and a primary focus on the city's budget problems, saying "Don't be surprised if you see that (the budget deficit) on the agenda every week until that's corrected." He also chaired City Council's Rules Committee, Open Government and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. In November 2012 he announced his intention to resign from the City Council to become CEO of the San Diego-Imperial Counties chapter of the
American Red Cross. His resignation took effect January 1, 2013 and triggered a special election in March for the balance of his term, which ends in 2014. He headed the local Red Cross chapter from January 2013 until March 2014. In March 2014 the national American Red Cross organization informed the local board that Young was no longer head of the chapter. No official reason was given; Young said there had been a "difference of opinion." == Personal life ==