Research interests: urban design, planning, and policy; civil rights and politics. Gantt was the first of only 2 African Americans to hold office as mayor of Charlotte. Gibson, a junior center and a captain on N.C. State's football team, is the second oldest of Gantt's nine grandchildren. The Gantts are the proud parents of four children. Harvey is a native of Charleston, S.C. She will. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. The episode, which aired Sunday evening, cut to an older clip of author Nathan McCallwho worked at the Washington Post from 1989-1998comparing Jordan unfavorably to Muhammad Ali, who gave up prime earning years to oppose the Vietnam War and Americas treatment of African-Americans. [4], Gantt manages a successful architectural practice, Gantt Huberman Architects, and remains active in politics. Harvey Gantt ran unsuccessfully for the Senate seat held by Jesse Helms in 1990 and 1996. I was more interested in what the social environment would be like and whether I was prepared for the loneliness of being the only one.. And what you're seeing is a tug of war between an old South that may be clinging to an America that they felt comfortable with and a new progressive region that is growing by leaps and bounds because of education, jobs and the changing demographic. She is committed to continuing to have a role in helping our community and we are thrilled she will remain with NBC Charlotte to assist on special projects.. [11], Gantt and his wife Lucinda (Brawley) Gantt, the second black student to attend Clemson, have four children: Sonja, Erika, Angela and Adam. Who is Harvey Gantt daughter? In the close and particularly bitter 1990 contest, Helms campaign used shrewdly-crafted TV ads targeting white fears about affirmative action, which Gantts supporters claimed were racially motivated. Harvey Bernard Gantt (born January 14, 1943) . Jordans stance disappointed some of his admirers. 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. When it was first proposed that this building be named after me, I hesitated. Gantt, 50, will become executive director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Public Schools Foundation, a 501-c-3 nonprofit that collects donations to supplement educational programs. I was absolutely influenced by Martin Luther King's ministry and his leadership in the civil rights movement at that time. Its a question former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt has thought about over the years, including when he was the first African American to attend Clemson University and when he lost in a tight race for the U.S. Senate in 1990 that was racially charged. From morning until night, I was traveling all over this state, making speeches and doing a whole lot of stuff and trying to become a credible candidate, Gantt says. Lucinda entered in the fall semester of that same year, making her Clemsons second African American student to enroll.Harvey is a native of Charleston, S.C. Harvey B. Gantt, architect and politician, was born January 14, 1943 in Charleston, South Carolina to Christopher and Wilhelmenia Gantt. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Gantts wife Lucinda became the second African-American student to enroll at Clemson. Ultimately, Michael Jordan may be forgotten, McCall said. And I would feel terrible if he felt obligated to have done something that he didnt want to do. A lot of people have called me over the years and asked, did you go to Michael? And I had been listening to some interesting speeches by members of Congress who were there, of course, for the purpose of certifying the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Gantt was the first African American student to enroll in Clemson University, graduating with honors with a degree in architecture. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa from 1960-1962. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. From 1974 until 1983, Gantt served on the Charlotte City Council. Sonja Gantt, a key personality in WCNCs (Channel 36) news department for nearly 20 years, will leave the anchor desk in January for a new philanthropic role. We want our teachers to feel supported and not feel like what happens in their classrooms is limited by resources, Gantt said Monday. In an interview with Lynn Haessly in 1986, Harvey Gantt recalled meeting Lucinda; [] You have permission to edit this article. A retired architect, he still remains plugged-in to the Charlotte political scene. To support the work we do, consider joining our Press Club. Harvey Gantt: At the time that this was occurring, I was actually on the highway. Because he always called for peaceful protest, and these are far from that. [10], In 2016, PBS Charlotte and UNC-TV featured Gantt in their online series, Biographical Conversations. A retired architect, he still remains plugged-in to the Charlotte political scene. Probably, he admits in The Last Dance. Applebome, Carolina Race is Winning the Wallets of America, New York The Gantt Center will serve as one of the entry points to experience the arts, sporting events and many other amenities that Charlotte has to offer. His Nike Air Jordan shoes, in fact, made him millions. In this week's Wisdom Watch, Gantt, who is also a renowned architect,. Republicans buy sneakers, too, Jordan famously said by way of explanation. The family moved to the city, where his father worked as a rigger mechanic at the navy yard during the war years. Eisiminger, Skip, editor, "Integration with Dignity", Clemson University Digital Press, Clemson, South Carolina, 2003, Last edited on 12 February 2023, at 08:57, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, "The 1990 Elections: North Carolina; Helms Kindled Anger in Campaign, And May Have Set Tone for Others", "Nonprofits & Philanthropy | The Y9 Group", "Watch Full Episodes Online of Biographical Conversations With on PBS | Harvey Gantt: Episode 1: The Young Pioneer", Harvey Gantt and the Desegregation of Clemson University, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harvey_Gantt&oldid=1138908708, This page was last edited on 12 February 2023, at 08:57. Gantt was elected Charlottes first African-American mayor in 1983. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. UNCG will suffer from state's new funding formula, say retired faculty members. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. I only heard about this Michael Jordan saga secondhand. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Americans are reflecting on Kings legacy and the divisiveness of the country, especially given the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol more than a week ago. Gantt grew up in Charleston, S.C.; he was the first African-American student to enroll at Clemson University in January 1963; he and the second African-American student on campus, Lucinda. Sonja has been a central member of our news team for nearly 20 years, said WCNCs general manager. Helms career was marked by repeated charges that he was racist. Clemons, The Mayoral Campaigns of Harvey Gantt: Prospect and I guess if youre building a brand thats what you do., Gantt was seeking to become the first African-American senator from North Carolina. Did you foresee anything like this happening how they reacted at the Capitol? Ryan Newman in serious condition after violent crash on last lap of Daytona 500, Spring-like weather means early allergy season has sprung, Restrained in Class: Parents, experts alarmed by educators restraining children, Entire flight waits to exit plane so NC man can make his twins' father-daughter dance. The four-story, 46,500-square-foot building was built for $18.6 million, and is part the Levine Center for the Arts. In the days leading up to my going to Clemson, I went to Charlotte and listened to a speech I think he made at Johnson C. Smith's campus. Gantt, who had stepped out of the car, jumped back in after she spotted the second man pointing a gun at her, police said. Problems of Coalition Maintenance in the New South, Southeastern It's growing very well. At 12, she was registering people to vote. Harvey Gantt trusts the women of. In 1974, Gantts political career began with his appointment to the Charlotte City Council to fill the seat vacated by Fred Alexander, the councils only black member. All Rights Reserved. A boost from Jordan, who at that time hadnt won an NBA title but was still one of the most famous, beloved people on the planet, could have only benefitted Gantt. Not just teachers, but an entire community rallied behind the youth, molding bright minds. (The Last Dances ratings would say otherwise). All rights reserved. But he would overcome the vestiges of segregation to become the citys first black mayor, blazing a trail in the Queen City like he did decades earlier at Clemson. In fall of 1963, Lucinda Brawley enrolled as the second African American student ever to attend Clemson University in South Carolina. Being a man of tradition, I always felt it was more appropriate to name a building or street for someone after their passing, as a way to honor their work. Gantt: I think that Dr. King would be turning over in his grave or frowning from heaven, shall we say. In 1963 Harvey B. Gantt became the first African American student admitted to Clemson University. He was trying to build a brand, says Gantt. But Obama told the filmmakers he also sympathized Jordans reluctance to take a political stance. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, Assistance for Visitors with Disabilities, K-12 In School Programs & Enhanced Tour Offerings. All Rights Reserved. Gantt chats sunnily about his wife of 31 years, Cindy; their daughter who anchors the morning television news in Chicago, two other daughters in medical school and his son, nicknamed Adam. 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. Harvey But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. Thirty years later, Gantt tells TIME he doesnt begrudge Jordans decision not to publicly support himand isnt sure how much it would have mattered, anyway. So no harm, no foul., Gantt lost that 1990 race by some 105,000 votes; Helms got 53% of the vote to Gantts 47%. From morning until night, I was traveling all over this state, making speeches and doing a whole lot of stuff and trying to become a credible candidate, Gantt says. In the spot, the hands of a white man crumples up a letter. Gantt lost again, by a similar margin. By subscribing, you agree to receive emails from us. Gantt entered local politics, where he was elected to the city council, serving from 1974 to 1983. He was trying to build a brand, says Gantt. Gantts a season ticket holder for the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA team owned by Jordan. She will continue to anchor early evening newscasts through December and will remain with WCNC afterward in a part-time role, helping with special projects and outreach, the station said Monday. On January 16, 1963, the U.S. Court of Appeals ordered Clemson to admit Gantt who became its first African American student. Gantt has a signed . The school is now home to the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center. Years later, he would move to Charlotte -- a city where he had difficulty getting a hotel room when he first arrived due to the color of his skin. Glenn: And with what's going on with President Trump's supporters calling for armed protests at state capitals around the nation on this Dr. King holiday, what are you thinking about? [9] Gantt ran against Helms again in 1996, but he lost again with 46% of the vote. November 7, 1990. Gantt served on the council until 1983. Harvey B. Gantt. AP Photo/Chuck Burton. As a young lawyer preparing for public life in Chicago, he said he would have liked to see Jordan back Gantt. I dont think anyone who witnessed that campaign would have suggested otherwise.. [4] Their daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a former news anchor at WCNC-TV in Charlotte.[12]. He moved to Charlotte after graduating from MIT, and, in 1971, co-founded Gantt Huberman Architects. In 1970, he earned . We had folks from all over the country. I was struck by the descriptions that seem to suggest that the people doing this were well versed in military tactics to get in, and then to see them smashing the windows in the hallway it was all surprising. He attended Charleston's public schools, graduating in 1960 from all-black Burke High School where he played football and sang in the school choir. My supporters were very strong, very fervent people, he says. [3] He received a degree in architecture with Honors from Clemson[4] and a Master's degree in City Planning from MIT.[5]. Look, I didnt even know any of this stuff until the drama I guess was over. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Item Details Title Harvey Gantt holding his daughter Sonya, circa 1969 Collections Documenting the African American Experience at Clemson Harvey Gantt and the Integration of Clemson University Dates Date Created Circa 1969 Descriptive Information Left to right: Harry Jones, Gladys Gant, Anna Lou Reid, Harvey Gantt holding daughter Sonya. ``We don't know if it was random or if someone was targeting her,' said police Capt. Her experience includes producing on-air reports for National Public Radio and she worked full-time as a producer for NPRs All Things Considered news program for five years. I call this home because the city and community represent all that is symbolic to steadfastness and a "can do" attitude. Sonja Gantt Harvey Gantt/Daughters. And I suppose he wasnt as reflective on the implications of what people were asking him to do. While Gantt would have welcomed Jordans support, he holds no grudges. It's just beyond belief. Is that really fair?" UPDATE: Brother told investigators child got in trouble for messing with fish tank. A much bigger contributor to his loss, Gantt points out, was the infamous Hands ad that Helms campaign ran before the election. But what really made the impact for me were the African-Americans who always serviced that white student population," Gantt said. He thinks its impossible to know whether Jordan, who as a freshman at UNC hit the game-winning shot to give legendary coach Dean Smith his first national title, could have tipped the race in his favor. You had to want to be in this campaign. Did he turn you down? Gantt graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in architecture. Their daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a former news anchor at WCNC-TV in Charlotte. [8] Gantt lost the election by 47% to 53%. Your support helps the Gantt present exceptional exhibitions, leading scholars and engaging programs that celebrate the African-American story. Gantt: I'm encouraged that many of the places where Biden and Kamala Harris did well were in the urban centers and the growth regions of our state. Somebody told me he said something about Republicans buying Nike shoes, Gantt, now 77, says. And like most people, I mean, you try to find out where the blame is. He went to the public schools of that city and graduated from Burke High School second in his class. Daughter of former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, she attended East Mecklenburg High School and got a journalism degree from UNC Chapel Hill. M.L. She has been anchoring the 6 and 11 p.m. news shows since. Maybe were going to be linked together in history. WCNC-TV anchorwoman Sonja Gantt and her husband noticed a white pickup at the top of their driveway as they were pulling into their garage Saturday night, police said.Two men wearing ski masks and holding handguns approached, and one man ordered Gantt's husband to go into the house. William F. CampbellThe LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images, German Soccer Fans Are Putting Cardboard Cutouts of Themselves in the Stands to Avoid Games in 'Empty' Stadiums, Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut We Can Fix It. We didnt spend a lot of time brooding about it, Gantt said in an interview on Friday. Senate candidate Harvey Gantt lost his 1990 U.S. Senate bid to unseat longtime incumbent Jesse Helms. HELMS DEFEATS GANTT. That was not the first thing that came to my mind on the morning after that defeat., In the series, Jordan copped to making the Republicans buy sneakers too comment, but insists it was in jest. Gantt lost the election. Example video title will go here for this video. In 1963, he was the first African American to be admitted to Clemson University in South Carolina. Get the latest from the Gantt & subscribe to our mailing list. I actually find it hard to believe that we find ourselves in this place, in this country, in the days before we inaugurate the 46th president of this country, Joe Biden, to suggest that there may be violence in 50 state capitals and the capital of the United States. He said being a pioneer wasnt difficult because he had friends on campus, both black and white, who made the transition easier. Republican Sen. Jesse Helms, icon of ultra-conservatives, defeated Democrat Harvey Gantt, the former mayor of Charlotte, winning a fourth term and snuffing out his challenger . Gantt's husband threw the car into reverse and took off. 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. He earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Clemson University, with honors, in 1965, and in 1970, he received a Master of City Planning degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a child, she worked to get Harvey Gantt elected Charlotte . At QCity Metro, our mission is to provide news, information and commentary from a Black perspective. Republicans buy sneakers, too, Jordan famously said by way of explanation. If you appeal enough to the fears that people have about their future existence, you can actually dictate what might they need to do to overcome those fears. He was defeated for a third term as mayor in 1987 by Sue Myrick. In 1963 Harvey B. Gantt became the first African American student admitted to Clemson University. In addition to being Charlotte' first African American mayor, he was the first African American student to attend Clemson University. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, in Charlotte, is named in his honor. Was that when you met Dr. King? In September 1963, Lucinda Brawley became the first African-American woman to be admitted to Clemson and in October 1964 married Harvey. Glenn: Now, you yourself, when you ran for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Jesse Helms, you had a really tough campaign, and there were lots of charges of racism. And I said, yeah they do. Do you find this information helpful? I guess if youre building a brand thats what you do., Gantt was seeking to become the first African-American senator from North Carolina. And I would feel terrible if he felt obligated to have done something that he didnt want to do. They first reside in public housing, then in a home that Gantt's father built by hand, learning carpentry as he went. [7], Another advertisement, known as the White Hands ad, showed a close-up of the hands of a white person reading, then crumpling a letter, while a voice-over said "You needed that job, and you were the best qualified. We had folks from all over the country. Sean Mulhall. And I remembered my parents and others who served as inspirations to me. Thank you for your interest in and support of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture. Harvey Gantt graduated with honors from Clemson in 1965, earning a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and later a Master of City Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Throughout his career, Harveys ties with academia have remained strong. In 1961, Gantt attended Iowa State University. He'll focus on the Smart Tour instead, but he could race in Tommy Neal's Sportsman car next month. News, Opinion & Events for Charlotte's African American community. He was Charlotte's last Democratic mayor until Anthony Foxx was elected in 2009. 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. The two institutions compete against each other in many sports, but the annual football game receives the most attention. The Gantt Center is located at Levine Center for the Arts and supported by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Knight Foundation. SouthBound Extra: A Preview Of Harvey Gantt Interview. In 1963, he was the first African American to be admitted to Clemson University in South Carolina. Inspired by his father, a longtime National Association for the . Did he turn you down? And then, How do I live up to it? Glenn has won awards for her reports from the Maryland-DC-Delaware Press Association, SNA and the first-place radio award from the National Association of Black Journalists. with Dignity (Clemson: Clemson University Digital Press, 2003); Harvey Gantt was the first black mayor of Charlotte. His lone focus was his craft. He thinks its impossible to know whether Jordan, who as a freshman at UNC hit the game-winning shot to give legendary coach Dean Smith his first national title, could have tipped the race in his favor. Harvey B. Gantt, architect and politician, was born January 14, 1943 in Charleston, South Carolina to Christopher and Wilhelmenia Gantt. And I was shocked. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, in Charlotte, is named in his honor. Please reload the page and try again. Harvey Gantt holding his daughter Sonya, circa 1969 Havey Gantt at Dr. Harold and Mrs. Eugenia Hills 50th Anniversary Havey Gantt with Dr. Harold and Mrs. Eugenia Hills at their 50th Anniversary Items in this Collection 1991 CUBFSA New Black Faculty and Staff Reception Join our community to receive email updates. In 1990, Gantt ran for a Senate seat in North Carolina as a Democrat against the incumbent, Republican Jesse Helms. ', Even Gantt himself sympathizes with Jordan. 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. Nonetheless, Gantt received 47 percent of the vote in the race against the nationally-known incumbent senator who had held the seat 17 years. But Obama told the filmmakers he also sympathized Jordans reluctance to take a political stance. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. 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. They have four children: Sonja, Erika, Angela, and Adam. In his famous 1963 "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," King wrote that the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. These are indeed challenging times that have many in the country wondering how we move forward as a nation. Gantt lost the election. Charlotte Observer file photo, Authorities ID man who died in house fire, Morris Chestnut, Tamika Mallory, Benjamin Crump and more to give N.C. HBCU commencement speeches this month, New center provides resources to LGBT community and people living with HIV, Democratic lawmakers in N.C. push for paid family leave, more sick days and higher minimum wage, Charlotte City Council member Braxton Winston will seek statewide office in 2024, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. [3] That was not the first thing that came to my mind on the morning after that defeat., In the series, Jordan copped to making the Republicans buy sneakers too comment, but insists it was in jest. He says that neither he or anyone from his campaign reached out to Jordan directly about an endorsement in 1990. Glenn: And, of course, North Carolina went for President Trump. Harvey Gantt becomes Clemson University's first African-American student in 1963. In The Last Dance, Jordan says his mother asked him to film a commercial for Gantt; he wrote a check to the campaign instead. He has also received honorary degrees from Belmont Abbey College, Johnson C. Smith University, and Clemson University. Lucinda was business manager of East Towne Manor, an assisted-living facility in Charlotte, until her retirement. Harvey Gantt made history in 1983 as the first African-American to be elected as mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. [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. In late 1961, he applied to Clemson University, and was admitted in January 1963 under court order and became . But Jesse Helms believes that abortion should be outlawed, even for victims of rape and incest. Courtesy of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture. It voted substantially for the Democratic ticket, and I expect that won't reverse itself in the next four years. And we were all outraged. His lone focus was his craft. That causes a reaction. Please subscribe to keep reading. _____ Video: Harvey Gantt Black History Moment 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. Other documents collected are correspondence to and from university lawyers, legislators, and members of the public. One of the. Gantt ran twice, against Republican Jesse Helms in 1990 and in 1996, for the United States Senate.
Casey Towers Heart Transplant,
Is Tua Tagovailoa Married,
Articles H