2024 Volunteer of Year - Bernard C. “Jack” Young

Bernard C. “Jack” Young became the 51st Mayor of Baltimore City on Friday, May 2, 2019. 

Mayor Young got his start in politics as a former special assistant to then-City Council President Mary Pat Clarke.

He served from 2010 to 2019 as the President of the Baltimore City Council, and for 14 years prior to that as a District Councilman.

Mayor Young has spent his time as a public servant aggressively representing the interests of the citizens of Baltimore. He made his mark in city government with a reputation for highly effective constituent services and for a dedication to youth, seniors, education, and public safety.

Mayor Young has played a major role in passing legislation that has increased funding for education and crime prevention and helped to spur economic development across Baltimore City. 

Mayor Young has been an active volunteer in the Maryland District AAU for nearly 20 years. He currently serves as Chairperson of the Law and Legislation Committee and is Co-Chair of the Sponsorship Committee which is instrumental in raising funds for Boys’ Basketball and other sporting tournaments in the Maryland District. Mayor Young is also a member of the Boys Basketball Tournament Committee and Banquet committee.

In 2016, voters in Baltimore overwhelmingly approved Young’s charter amendment – Question E – that established a continuing, non-lapsing Children and Youth Fund to be used exclusively to provide supplemental funding to services for children and youth. The fund, a first-of-its-kind initiative for Baltimore, and only one of the few dedicated youth funds in the country, established an annual multi-million-dollar pot of money for youth-focused, grassroots organizations in Baltimore. The Baltimore City Youth Fund is active accepting proposal for funding for youth centered and grass roots organizations. 

A native East Baltimorean, Mayor Young has championed efforts to increase government transparency, fight for equitable housing opportunities, and bolster funding for youth and education. 
Mayor Young is married to wife Darlene, has two adult daughters and five grandchildren. He attends United Baptist Church in East Baltimore.