We are making significant progress on The Ambassador, a film that explores the extraordinary diplomatic journey of Andrew Young as the first African-American U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The film opens with Young’s recollection of his appointment by President Jimmy Carter and follows his pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy in Africa during a time of immense geopolitical tension.
Drawing on insights from Jimmy Carter in Africa: Race and the Cold War by Nancy Mitchell, The Ambassador highlights how Carter and Young’s both shaped by the American civil rights movement’s sought peaceful resolutions to racial conflicts in Africa. In stark contrast to the Soviet Union's support for armed revolution, backed by nearly 20,000 Cuban troops, Young engaged African leaders like Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo to broker diplomatic solutions, including the transition of Rhodesia to an independent Zimbabwe. His deep personal connections and credibility on the continent helped steer U.S. diplomacy toward decolonization and self-determination.
However, Young’s tenure was not without controversy. His unauthorized meeting with a representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) sparked intense political backlash. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, a staunch opponent of Young’s diplomatic strategies, issued Carter an ultimatum: fire Young or accept Vance's resignation. Under mounting pressure, Carter sided with Vance, forcing Young to resign, an event Carter later publicly acknowledged.
The film ultimately comes full circle, concluding with Young delivering a powerful homily at Carter’s funeral, reflecting on their shared commitment to diplomacy, racial justice, and peace. As Carter’s role in this history gains prominence in the narrative, The Ambassador examines how his presidency leveraged the lessons of the civil rights movement to navigate Cold War conflicts in Africa and beyond.
This documentary feels particularly timely as Africa once again becomes a diplomatic battleground, with Russia and China expanding their influence while the United States repositions itself in the region. Simultaneously, two defining foreign policy legacies of the Carter administration the Panama Canal and peace in the Middle East have returned to the forefront under Donald Trump’s second presidency.
The Ambassador revisits a critical chapter in American diplomacy, offering fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that remain relevant today. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to develop this project.
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