Former Charlotte Mayor On Making History, American Politics [3] He received a degree in architecture with Honors from Clemson[4] and a Master's degree in City Planning from MIT.[5]. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. We are forever grateful to them. Gantt was the first African American student to enroll in Clemson University, graduating with honors with a degree in architecture. Daughter of former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, she attended East Mecklenburg High School and got a journalism degree from UNC Chapel Hill. And then, How do I live up to it? Probably, he admits in The Last Dance. I only heard about this Michael Jordan saga secondhand. Get the latest from the Gantt & subscribe to our mailing list. And my grandson, who had access to his cellphone, shows me this picture of people climbing the Capitol wall. Sean Mulhall. Do you find this information helpful? Who was the first black student at Clemson? - Wise-Answer Jordans stance disappointed some of his admirers. Gantt has a signed . ', Even Gantt himself sympathizes with Jordan. In terms of coming together? Gantt continues to advocate for equity and equal rights and is often tapped to serve on civic, cultural, and business boards, and to lead philanthropic efforts and community initiatives. (The Last Dances ratings would say otherwise). So no harm, no foul., Gantt lost that 1990 race by some 105,000 votes; Helms got 53% of the vote to Gantts 47%. Back in 1990 Jordan, who grew up in North Carolina and starred for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, refused to publicly endorse Harvey Gantt, the African-American former Democratic mayor of Charlotte, in his racially contentious Senate race versus Republican Jesse Helms. [6] With one and a half weeks to go, Gantt was ahead in the polls, but Helms aired a number of television commercials emphasizing Gantt's color. Gantt unsuccessfully ran two U.S. Senatorial campaigns against Republican Senator Jesse Helms in 1990 and 1996. WFAE "All Things Considered" host Gwendolyn Glenn talked with Gantt about past challenges he endured and the challenges the nation faces today, as armed protests are threatened during President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration. Did you foresee anything like this happening how they reacted at the Capitol? Sometimes standing up for whats right means having the courage to blaze your own trail. Their daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a former news anchor at WCNC-TV in Charlotte. Jordans reluctance to get political stands in contrast to todays superstar athletes, like LeBron James, who are much more socially engaged. If he was in his mid 50s and done all of the things he had done and been as socially conscious as he has been and I was running a campaign, maybe I would have expected more of him, says Gantt. Grandmother is charged with murder. As a result, the firm has developed some of the citys most iconic landmarks, including the Charlotte Transportation Center, TransAmerica Square, ImaginOn, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, and the Johnson C. Smith University Science Center. HARVEY GANTT'S FIGHT TO THE FINISH - The Washington Post Biden lost North Carolina, but I sensed, as I sensed back during the race with Jesse Helms, that North Carolina is going to be a purple state, much in the way that Georgia this year went blue. Join our community to receive email updates. He was defeated for a third term as mayor in 1987 by Sue Myrick. Harvey Gantt was the first black mayor of Charlotte. Throughout his career, Harveys ties with academia have remained strong. "One day being on the other side of the serving line.. In 1970, he earned . 864-656-3311, Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center, Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy. 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"Our young people still appreciate and honor what Harvey and Lucinda started, which is very important and enriching." The Gantts married in 1964, and after Harvey completed his architecture. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. After much processing and discussion with my wife, Cindy, the prevailing factor that led me to say "yes" was that it was for the sake of posterity. [4], Gantt manages a successful architectural practice, Gantt Huberman Architects, and remains active in politics. Harvey B. Gantt, architect and politician, was born January 14, 1943 in Charleston, South Carolina to Christopher and Wilhelmenia Gantt. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, in Charlotte, is named in his honor. He was trying to build a brand, says Gantt. Clemson, South Carolina 29634 There is something about the spirit of this place that even if youre a newcomer you can come and try to do things," he said. Gantt is the daughter of two-time Senate candidate and former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt. He supported the rights of NFL players to kneel during the national anthem and backed James after President Donald Trump questioned Jamess intelligence. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. As told to Michael Graff In 1970, Gantt earned an M.A. And since that time, Ive thought it was much ado about nothing., Jordan, Gantt notes, was a 27-year-old superstar still on the rise: his Bulls hadnt beaten the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals yet. In 2012, Jordan hosted a fundraiser for Obama; Jordan also offered some fundraising support for Gantt in his 1996 rematch with Helms. This collection contains photographs of Harvey and Lucinda, who is the first African American woman to attend Clemson, as well as official university documents related to Harvey's integration fight. Ill be sharing the story of whats happening in the classrooms with businesses that want to invest. Gantt said she has always had a passion for education and considered pursuing a career in teaching while in college. Charlotte is a great community and the Carolinas are a great region. Who is Harvey Gantt daughter? In this series, Gantt recalls his life experiences, ranging from his attendance at Clemson University to his inauguration as Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines Clemson University Libraries. I wasnt as much fearful about going to Clemson," Gantt said. Gunmen Sought in Attack on Harvey Gantt'S Daughter In North Carolina's Senate Race, A Divisive TV Fight Over 'Values' [9] Gantt ran against Helms again in 1996, but he lost again with 46% of the vote. Gantt was the first of only 2 African Americans to hold office as mayor of Charlotte. Gantt was elected Charlottes first African-American mayor in 1983. It accused Gantt of supporting "Ted Kennedy's racial quota law". Small business owner's truck, equipment stolen, Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing in west Charlotte, At least 6 people killed in crashes on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois. And then, How do I live up to it? He joined Charlotte City Council in 1974 and again broke barriers when he was elected Charlottes first African-American mayor in 1983. Or saying darn, if Michael had endorsed us we would have gotten another 10, 20, 30, 40 thousands votes. CLEMSON, S.C. Clemson University in South Carolina is rich in history. UNCG will suffer from state's new funding formula, say retired faculty members. That's why I agreed to the naming of the building, and that's why I want you to join me in celebrating our history and the dawning of a new day for all of us. It was there, and at the family dinner table with his four sisters, that he began to appreciate the importance of advocacy and the injustice of racial discrimination. You had to want to be in this campaign. [4] Their daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a former news anchor at WCNC-TV in Charlotte.[12]. Sonja Gantt aims newscast in new direction | Charlotte Observer We had folks from all over the country. She has been anchoring the 6 and 11 p.m. news shows since. Back in 1990 Jordan, who grew up in North Carolina and starred for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, refused to publicly endorse Harvey Gantt, the African-American former Democratic mayor of Charlotte, in his racially contentious Senate race versus Republican Jesse Helms. In The Last Dance, Jordan says his mother asked him to film a commercial for Gantt; he wrote a check to the campaign instead. The South Carolina Gamecocks are Clemson's in-state athletic rival. The Harvey B. Gantt Center is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors. These are his words, lightly edited for clarity. He supported the rights of NFL players to kneel during the national anthem and backed James after President Donald Trump questioned Jamess intelligence. 2-year-old girl suffered extensive injuries. Other documents collected are correspondence to and from university lawyers, legislators, and members of the public. The Gantt Center is located at Levine Center for the Arts and supported by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Knight Foundation. We want our teachers to feel supported and not feel like what happens in their classrooms is limited by resources, Gantt said Monday. When it was first proposed that this building be named after me, I hesitated. Many people fear the so-called left taking over and overrunning the country with people who are of different races, creeds, colors, whatever you want to call it, women and others coming forward, and that their way of life or their ability to "make America great again" would be, in fact, hampered.